OKC BROADWAY’S INAUGURAL SEASON LINEUP ANNOUNCED

2016-2017 Season Includes Broadway Blockbuster, Disney’s THE LION KING And Award-Winning Productions:

Disney’s NEWSIES, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, PIPPIN, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL and ELF THE MUSICAL

(Oklahoma City, OK.) –OKC Broadway – A Nederlander and Civic Center Foundation Presentation is delighted to announce its inaugural Season lineup. From critically acclaimed, Tony Award®-Winning productions to all-time family favorites, all playing at the beautiful Civic Center Music Hall –this season truly does have something to offer for every Broadway fan.

The 2016-2017 Season invites audiences to a musical inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899 in Disney’s NEWSIES, featuring a book by four-time Tony® Award winner Harvey Fierstein and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Then, the beloved story of Maria and the von Trapp family comes to life in this brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards®, PIPPIN is back on tour for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so many more. More than 85 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of Disney’s THE LION KING. And don’t miss the special added-season production, with a heart-warming and modern day Christmas classic, ELF THE MUSICAL.

“I am thrilled with the new partnership between Nederlander and the Civic Center Foundation,” said Elizabeth Gray, Executive Director of the Civic Center Foundation and General Manager of OKC Broadway. “It is very important for us to bring great theatre to this community while giving back more than ever to the Civic Center Music Hall and this new season lineup absolutely demonstrates the quality and caliber of productions that we intend to present to OKC audiences,” she said.

OKC Broadway is the presenter of the nationally touring Broadway shows and is a partnership between the Nederlander Organization, known for presenting live theatre and concerts world-wide; and the Civic Center Foundation, who in its 15 year history has donated millions to the Civic Center Music Hall for improvements to heighten the performance experience for both performers and audiences. The 5-Show 2016-2017 Season Ticket Package includes Disney’s NEWSIES, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, PIPPIN, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL and Disney’s THE LION KING. ELF THE MUSICAL is an added special production and may be added on to a season ticket package.

The 2016-2017 OKC Broadway Season Lineup:

Disney’s NEWSIES

September 20-25, 2016

They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines. Direct from Broadway comes NEWSIES, the smash-hit, crowd-pleasing new musical from Disney. Winner of the 2012 Tony Awards® for Best Score and Best Choreography, NEWSIES has audiences and critics alike calling it “a musical worth singing about!” (The New York Times). Filled with one heart-pounding number after another, it’s a high energy explosion of song and dance you just don’t want to miss. Based on true events, NEWSIES tells the captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes when they stand up to the most powerful men in New York. It’s a rousing tale about fighting for what’s right… and staying true to who you are.
Rating: All Ages

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

October 11-16, 2016

The Hills Are Alive! A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien, is coming to the Civic Center Music Hall. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song. THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp. THE SOUND OF MUSIC enjoyed extraordinary success as the first live television production of a musical in over 50 years when “The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013 and was seen by over 44 million people. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history. Rating: All Ages

PIPPIN

February 7-12, 2017

Some thirty years before writing WICKED, Steven Schwartz had an early success and now PIPPIN is back on tour for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago… the show The New York Times declared “ASTONISHING.” Winning the Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival, PIPPIN tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory. This captivating new production features sizzling choreography in the style of BOB FOSSE and breathtaking acrobatics by LES 7 DOIGTS DE LA MAIN, the creative force behind the nationwide sensation TRACES.

Rating: Mature Audiences

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

March 7-12, 2017

Featuring more than 40 classic hits such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” MOTOWN THE MUSICAL tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat.

RATING: ALL AUDIENCES (ages 10 and up)

Disney’s THE LION KING

May 9-28, 2017

Disney’s THE LION KING is returning to OKC! More than 85 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. With Music and Lyrics by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice, there is simply nothing else like THE LION KING. Rating: All Ages

ELF THE MUSICAL (Added Season Event)

December 27-31, 2016

ELF THE MUSICAL is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.

Rating: All Ages

Most OKC Broadway performances run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with Saturday and Sunday matinees.

Visit OKC Broadway at www.okcbroadway.com

– (published March 23, 2016)

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