The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and Broadway Across America (BAA) have announced an eight-show, 14-week Broadway season for 2010-11.
This is the first full season under the new partnership agreement between the two organizations, and is the first time a Columbus Broadway season has offered two multi-week engagements — Mary Poppins and Jersey Boys.
The 2010-11 Fifth Third Bank Broadway Series combined with the upcoming August engagement of WICKED has a gross potential of more than $21 million in ticket sales and more than $65 million in economic impact for Columbus.
“We applaud the new partnership between CAPA and Broadway Across America,” says Columbus Partnership CEO Alex Fischer. “The positive economic impact Broadway has on Columbus is significant, and this season will more than double the number of visitors to our downtown.”
The schedule includes:
Legally Blonde the Musical
September 28–October 3, 2010, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
The hilarious MGM film is Broadway's new smash hit musical, and now Legally Blonde the Musical is coming to Columbus. 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.
Rock of Ages
December 7-12, 2010, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker in LA’s most famous rock club, and they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s. It’s the five-time 2009 Tony Award nominee Rock of Ages, an arena-rock love story told through the hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. (Note: some of the costumes, dancing, and language may not be appropriate for kids under the age of 14.) www.rockofagesmusical.com.
Les Misérables
March 15-20, 2011, Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, Les Misérables, with new staging and spectacular, reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has already been acclaimed by critics, fans, and new audiences, and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. www.lesmis.com.
Mary Poppins
April 20–May 8, 2011, Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Combining the best of the original stories by P. L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film, the Tony Award-winning Mary Poppins is everything you’d hope for in a Broadway musical and more. Produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, the show includes such wonderful songs as Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar, Let’s Go Fly a Kite, and of course, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. www.marypoppins.com.
Jersey Boys
August 17–September 4, 2011, Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Jersey Boys won the 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons —Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds, and sold 175 million records worldwide — all before they were 30. Jersey Boys, winner of the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, and most recently, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, features their hit songs Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Rag Doll, Oh, What a Night, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You. www.jerseyboysbroadway.com.
Special add-ons for the 2010-11 season include:
CATS
November 19-21, 2010, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
There's no better way to introduce your family to the wonders of live theater than with the magic, the mystery, the memory of CATS. What began as a musical about cats after Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop has become one of the longest running shows in Broadway history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song, Memory. www.troika.com/_showpages/shows-cats.html.
STOMP
January 14-16, 2011, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. www.stomponline.com.
Riverdance
February 18-20, 2011, Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
Riverdance, the thunderous celebration of Irish music, song, and dance that has tapped its way onto the world stage thrilling millions of people around the globe, will play five farewell performances in Columbus. Discover why nothing in the world compares to "The Original International Phenomenon." www.riverdance.com.
Tickets for CATS, STOMP and Riverdance will be sold individually, with season subscribers being given the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public.
Additionally, new subscribers who purchase before April 23 will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to WICKED prior to the general public.
WICKED
July 28-August 29, 2010, Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One — born with emerald green skin — is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. www.wickedthemusical.com.
For more information, visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.