BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA – BOSTON ANNOUNCES THE 2008-2009 LEXUS BOSTON AREA DEALERS SERIES
Pre-Broadway World Premieres launch in Boston with Harry Connick, Jr. in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, a new Gershwin musical , and the boldly re-imagined BRIGADOON; International sensation DIRTY DANCING - The Classic Story On Stage and Broadway’s newest groundbreaking musical SPRING AWAKENING headline the 2008-2009 Lexus Boston Area Dealers Broadway Across America – Boston Series
Boston, MA – Broadway Across America – Boston announced today at The Colonial Theatre its upcoming 2008-2009 Broadway season which will include six musical productions and two plays. “We truly feel that this is one of our most exciting seasons and we’re so proud to bring one of the greatest theater cities what it deserves – the best,” said Drew Murphy, President of Broadway Across America – Boston. “World Premieres, Broadway smash hits, memorable plays, screen sensations on stage, and cherished theater favorites are what audiences can look forward to next season at The Colonial Theatre and The Opera House, two of New England’s premiere theatrical venues.”
Headlining the upcoming season are two World Premiere pre-Broadway musicals which make their debut at The Colonial Theatre: Boston favorite Harry Connick, Jr. in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, a new Gershwin musical, directed and choreographed by Tony Award®-winner Kathleen Marshall, and the highly anticipated, boldly re-imagined production of one of Broadway’s most fabled musicals Lerner and Loewe’s BRIGADOON directed and choreographed by Tony Award®-winner Rob Ashford. Also slated for The Colonial Theatre is the groundbreaking new Broadway musical SPRING AWAKENING, winner of eight Tony Awards® in 2007, A BRONX TALE starring Academy Award®-nominee Chazz Palminteri, fresh from its successful run on Broadway and finally the Tony Award®-nominated FROST/NIXON starring award-winning actor Stacy Keach.
Headlining the season at The Opera House will be the East Coast premiere of DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage the international stage sensation -- the hottest ticket in London’s West End where the show continues to set box office records.
Rounding out the 2008 – 2009 season is LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL which arrives in the city where it all takes place and A CHORUS LINE – the longest running American Broadway musical ever!
Over 800 people from around the city were on hand to celebrate today’s announcement which consisted of Broadway Across America – Boston Premiere Season Ticket holders, group leaders, Arts and business leaders, city officials, partners from around the city, sponsors and media. Highlights from the day included a special pre-recorded message from Harry Connick, Jr. introducing special guests Kathleen Marshall (Director/Choreographer) and Joe DiPietro (Book) from NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT. Other guest appearances included Rob Ashford (Director/Choreographer) and Liza Lerner (Producer) representing BRIGADOON and Eleanor Bergstein (Writer and Creator) and Kevin Jacobsen (Producer) representing DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage. Guests enjoyed live performances from cast members from BRIGADOON, DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage. LEGALLY BLONDE, SPRING AWAKENING and A CHORUS LINE.
Broadway Across America - Boston is also pleased to announce that for the sixth consecutive year, Lexus Boston Area Dealers will continue as the official name in title sponsor of the Broadway Across America - Boston 2008-2009 Series. Broadway Across America - Boston and Lexus have enjoyed a successful partnership and look forward to the upcoming season together. Lexus has become synonymous with luxury since its introduction in 1989. By offering some of the finest quality luxury vehicles and providing benchmark customer service, Lexus has become the top-selling luxury nameplate in the United States for five years in a row. Lexus and its dealers have repeatedly achieved high honors for both the products they sell and the customer service they provide, as rated by the independent research firm of J.D. Power and Associates.
Other Broadway Across America - Boston Series sponsors include Tufts Health Plan, Maggiano’s Little Italy and JetBlue Airways.
The Lexus Boston Area Dealers Broadway Across America - Boston Series is listed below in date order:
A CHORUS LINE – Longest-running American Broadway musical ever!
September 11 – October 5, 2008
The Opera House
In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed— to have the chance to dance. This is A CHORUS LINE, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards®, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. Now A CHORUS LINE returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best. “A CHORUS LINE is back, and it’s thrilling!” - John Lahr, The New Yorker.
BRIGADOON - World Premiere pre-Broadway Engagement
October 14 – November 9, 2008
The Colonial Theatre
One of the most fabled musicals in all Broadway history comes to startling new life this fall at The Colonial Theatre. BRIGADOON. Tony Award®-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie) directs and choreographs this powerfully danced, boldly re-imagined production, which features a revised book by Tony Award®-winner John Guare (Six Degrees of Separation) and some of the best-loved songs ever written by the legendary team of Lerner & Loewe. Don't miss this world premiere pre-Broadway engagement, as a land that comes to life every hundred years will now come alive like never before. Lose yourself in BRIGADOON - and you may just find the love of your life.
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL
October 28 – November 9, 2008
The Opera House
It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is Broadway's new smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you. LEGALLY BLONDE follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. After turning Broadway and MTV hot pink, this “Feel-Good Song and Dance Juggernaut” (New York Magazine) is “The Best New Musical Around!” (WOR).
Harry Connick Jr. in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, a new Gershwin musical
World Premiere pre-Broadway engagement
December 16, 2008 – January 11, 2009
The Colonial Theatre
HARRY CONNICK JR. stars as a Long Island playboy in this new musical comedy filled with bootleggers, gold diggers and some of the greatest songs from the legendary Gershwin catalog. This world premiere pre-Broadway engagement is directed and choreographed by Tony Award®-winner Kathleen Marshall and features a hilarious book by Joe DiPietro ("All Shook Up").
FROST/NIXON starring Stacy Keach
January 27 – February 8, 2009
The Colonial Theatre
FROST/NIXON tackles the question: How did David Frost, a famous British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former President Richard Nixon? Award-winning actor Stacy Keach leads a cast of 10 in this fast-paced Tony Award®-nominated new play which shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two men as they square off in one of the most monumental television interviews of all time. FROST/NIXON is written by Peter Morgan, writer of “The Queen,” “The Last King of Scotland,” “The Other Boleyn Girl” and HBO’s “Longford,” and directed by Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage.
DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage
February 7 – March 15, 2009
The Opera House
“That was the summer of 1963, when everybody called me Baby, and it didn’t occur to me to mind...”
A movie seen by millions, with an unforgettable soundtrack and a story which touched the heart of a generation is now a record-breaking stage show. It is DIRTY DANCING - The Classic Story On Stage. Exploding with heart-pounding music, pure dance energy and breathtaking emotion, this timeless story of first love is a must-see for Dirty Dancing fans and newcomers alike. This hugely anticipated show features the hit songs from the best-selling movie soundtrack including; “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life,” “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby” and “Do You Love Me?” Experience all the excitement and romance as never before with brand new scenes written especially for the stage. Now with more Baby and Johnny, more sensational dancing and even more classic songs. – you’re sure to have “the time of your life!”
A BRONX TALE starring Chazz Palminteri
March 31 – April 11, 2009
The Colonial Theatre
Academy Award®-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri returns to the stage in an unforgettable performance fresh from a successful run on Broadway, where it was praised by the critics and adored by the public. In A BRONX TALE, the celebrated play on which he based the legendary movie, Palminteri vividly depicts a young boy's rough childhood in the 1960s-era Bronx and the unforgettable people he encountered. A classic coming-of-age story about reaching your true potential and trusting your heart, A BRONX TALE is directed by four-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Zaks.
SPRING AWAKENING – Winner of 8 Tony Awards® in 2007
April 28 – May 24, 2009
The Colonial Theatre
Broadway's most talked about new musical is now the biggest Tony Award® Winner in years. SPRING AWAKENING is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that has awakened Broadway like no other musical in years. Winner of 8 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, SPRING AWAKENING celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, poignancy and a passion you will never forget. We agree with the NY Times "Broadway may never be the same again!" SPRING AWAKENING is a powerful coming of age story which deals with mature themes, sexual situations and contains strong language. Audiences and families are encouraged to learn more about this dynamic new production that is taking Broadway by storm and are welcome to visit http://www.springawakening.com. A Parent’s Guide for SPRING AWAKENING is available to help you determine whether SPRING AWAKENING is appropriate for your teenager at http://parents.springawakening.com/.
ABOUT BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
Broadway Across America (Producer): Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and led by Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 42 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Current productions include A CATERED AFFAIR, PASSING STRANGE, SPAMALOT, GO DIEGO GO and THE BACKYARDIGANS. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.
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