Columbus has become one of the top touring Broadway cities in the country, and now Broadway Across America - Columbus has put together a blockbuster 20th anniversary season of productions that it looks forward to sharing with loyal season ticket holders, single ticket buyers and long time corporate partner Fifth Third Bank.

“This is a special year for us,” says Leslie K. Broecker, president of Broadway Across America -Midwest. “We are celebrating 20 years of bringing first-class touring Broadway shows to Columbus and we are grateful to be a part of this thriving theatre community. From the beginning our mission has been to create a memorable theatrical experience for Columbus audiences with a commitment to enhancing the experience of live theatre with exclusive season ticket holder benefits and personal service.”

In the past 20 years, Broadway Across America has presented shows starring world-class performers including Kathleen Turner, Jerry Lewis and Patti Lupone. Broecker sat down with CityScene to discuss the past, present, and future of Broadway in Columbus.

CS: What are you doing special to celebrate your 20th season?
Leslie Broecker: We are presenting a great season with six shows and two season specials. It includes family favorites like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Annie, as well as the groundbreaking Columbus premiere of Spring Awakening, which won the 2007 Tony Award for Best Musical.

CS: What are some of the show highlights from the past two decades? Does anything really stick out?
LB: The community is always excited when we present a spectacular show like Wicked and The Lion King. It’s also great when we are able to present a celebrity along with the show, like we did with Jerry Lewis in Damn Yankees and Kathleen Turner in The Graduate. And I’ll always remember our first presentation of Phantom – the opening night gala was underground in a parking garage – very atmospheric!

CS: How has Broadway been able to successfully sustain itself in Columbus for so long?
LB: Columbus is full of savvy theatre-goers who are aware of the theatre classics of the past as well as what is currently playing in New York. With each quality production we bring to town, we always get an eager audience.

CS: Why is it important for a city like Columbus to have this entity?
LB: It’s important that our constituents have a broad arts palate from which to choose. Broadway is very diverse – not everything will appeal to everyone – but something we bring to town will appeal to everyone. On the other side of the spectrum BAA is important because we bring people downtown. And, although our shows come from New York, we employee a large number of locals, which is of course very important.

CS: What are your goals for the next 20 years and beyond?
LB: We hope to have more wonderful seasons like our 20th where the people of Columbus are guaranteed to have an amazing theatrical experience.
For more information about the milestone 20th anniversary season of Broadway in Columbus, visit www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.