Hamilton to ANCHOR Broadway in Atlanta 2017-2018 Season!

HAMILTON to anchor Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2017/2018 season Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta is proud to announce that Broadway musical HAMILTON will play its premiere Atlanta engagement and anchor the 2017/2018 season at the Fox Theatre. The upcoming season’s lineup will also feature the Atlanta debuts of LOVE NEVER DIES: The Phantom Returns, A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER and SOMETHING ROTTEN!, as well as the Tony-winning re-imagined revivals of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I, THE COLOR PURPLE, and RENT 20th Anniversary Tour.  Season options will include audience favorites, THE BOOK OF MORMON and Disney’s THE LION KING. ​ “This season is truly one for the books!” said Russ Belin, vice president of Broadway in Atlanta.  “The combination of major Atlanta first-run shows, returning audience favorites, and classic Broadway tales makes this season the ultimate experience for any and every theatregoer.  Atlanta audiences are accustomed to seeing the best of Broadway right here on Peachtree Street, and the upcoming lineup is no exception!” The Lincoln Center Theatre productionRodgers & Hammerstein’sTHE KING AND ISeptember 26 – October 1, 2017 Two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of this “breathtaking and exquisite” (The New York Times) musical, directed by Bartlett Sher. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance,” and “Something Wonderful.”  Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.  Winner of the 2015 Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival, THE KING AND I is “too beautiful to miss” (New York Magazine). THE COLOR PURPLEOctober 24 – 29, 2017 THE COLOR PURPLE is the 2016 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Revival!  Hailed as “a direct hit to the heart” (The Hollywood Reporter), this joyous American classic about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South has conquered Broadway in an all-new "ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold” (The New York Times) directed by Tony® winner John Doyle. LOVE NEVER DIES: The Phantom ReturnsNovember 28 – December 3, 2017 This story of boundless love, full of passion and drama, follows Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, one of the most successful musicals of all time, which has now been seen by more than 130 million people worldwide and is the winner of over 50 international awards. The ultimate love story continues in LOVE NEVER DIES, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.  This production played to critical acclaim throughout Australia and New Zealand and is described by Chris Boyd in The Australian as “The best thing Lloyd Webber has written in the quarter century since The Phantom of the Opera.”  Andrew Lloyd Webber describes the production as, “Probably the finest one I could ever, ever hope for.” Disney’s THE LION KING • Season OptionJanuary 10 – 28, 2018 More than 90 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING.  Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event 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.  THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.  There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING. RENT 20th Anniversary TourFebruary 20 – 25, 2018 In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theatre.  Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world.  And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production.  A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out.  With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love.   A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDERMarch 13 – 18, 2018 Getting away with murder can be so much fun… and there’s no better proof than the hilarious hit show that won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical—A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER! As one most gentlemanly NPR critic put it, “I’ve never laughed so hard at a Broadway musical!” A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE OF LOVE & MURDER tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way… and be done in time for tea.  The Hollywood Reporter raves, “A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE OF LOVE & MURDER restores our faith in musical comedy!” SOMETHING ROTTEN!April 17 – 22, 2018 From the director of Aladdin and co-director of The Book of Mormon and the producer of Rent, Avenue Q, and In the Heights, this hilarious new musical comedy tells the story of brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, two playwrights stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar Will Shakespeare.  When a soothsayer foretells the next big thing in theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, the Bottom brothers set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL! With the most singing, the most dancing and the most gut-busting laughs on Broadway, it's something wonderful... something for everyone...It's SOMETHING ROTTEN!, "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years" (Time Out New York)!  With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is an uproarious dose of pure Broadway fun and an irresistible ode to musicals — those dazzling creations that entertain us, inspire us, and remind us that everything’s better with an exclamation point! HAMILTONMay 22 – June 10, 2018 With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary.  Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.  HAMILTON’s creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In the Heights.  HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, and casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA.  The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, and The Public Theater. The HAMILTON Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide.  The HAMILTON recording received a 2016 Grammy® for Best Musical Theatre Album.  THE BOOK OF MORMON • Season OptionJuly 17 – 22, 2018 The New York Times calls it "the best musical of the century."  The Washington Post says, "It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals." And Entertainment Weekly says, "Grade A: the funniest musical of all time."  Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it "Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal."  It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word.  Now with standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation.  Contains explicit language. The 2017/2018 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta lineup includes: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KIND AND I: September 26 – October 1, 2017THE COLOR PURPLE: October 24 – 29, 2017LOVE NEVER DIES: The Phantom Returns: November 28 – December 3, 2017RENT 20th Anniversary Tour: February 20 – 25, 2018A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER: March 13 – 18, 2018SOMETHING ROTTEN!: April 17 – 22, 2018HAMILTON: May 22 – June 10, 2018 2017/2018 Season Options: Disney’s THE LION KING: January 10 – 28, 2018THE BOOK OF MORMON: July 17 – 22, 2018 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta’s 2017/2018 subscription packages will go on sale on February 15 at 9 a.m. with prices starting at $249 for all seven shows. Subscriber prices will vary depending on the show time, day of the week, and seating location.  New subscriptions may be ordered online at BroadwayInAtlanta.com and via phone by calling 800-278-4447 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Subscriber benefits include access to the best seats available, priority access to additional tickets, and ticket exchange privileges. Subscribers will also have the opportunity to purchase their same subscription seats for the Season Options, THE BOOK OF MORMON, and Disney’s THE LION KING as part of their renewal before March 21, 2017. For ease and convenience, Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta will first send renewal information via email and encourages patrons to subscribe online for the new programming lineup.  This electronic communication will be followed up with an invoice sent via posted mail to all subscribers.  Current subscribers who wish to guarantee their same seats must renew by March 21.  Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta is also offering a four installment payment plan for subscribers wishing to spread out their payments at no additional fee or interest. Tickets to individual shows in the 2017/2018 lineup are not available for purchase at this time.  Single-show tickets typically go on sale to the general public 8-12 weeks prior to opening night.  However, subscribers will have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets before they go on sale to the public.  For more information on the 2017/2018 lineup or to order online, please visit BroadwayInAtlanta.com. Group reservations for individual shows for parties of 10 or more can be made at this time by calling 404-881-2000.  Applicable group minimum may vary depending on the show, but is typically 10 or more. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (all times are subject to change.)  An American Sign Language-interpreted performance for the deaf and hearing-impaired is available for a pre-determined Sunday matinee of each engagement. BROADWAY IN ATLANTA is a member of the Broadway Across America network. Broadway Across America is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and is operated by John Gore (Owner & CEO).  BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 38 markets.  Current and past productions includeBeautiful, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray, On Your Feet!, The Producers, and CATS. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content, and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

Sound of Music to Play Atlanta's Fox Theatre -- Tickts on Sale December 20!

Tickets go on sale for the brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien on Sunday, December 20.

As part of a North American tour, this lavish new production will make its debut at the Fox Theatre for a limited engagement from March 1-6 as part of the 2015/2016 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta Season.

Tickets start at $33 and are available at by visiting www.FoxTheatre.org/sound-music, calling 1-855-285-8499, or visiting the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308).  Group orders of 15 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000.  Performance schedule, prices, and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit www.TheSoundOfMusicOnTour.com orwww.BroadwayInAtlanta.com.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC will play in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre March 1-6. The performance schedule is:

Tuesday                                   8 p.m.

Wednesday-Thursday             7:30 p.m.

Friday                                      8 p.m.

Saturday                                  2 p.m., 8 p.m.

Sunday                                    1 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

BEN DAVIS (Broadway’s Violet, A Little Night Music, La Bohème) will play Captain Georg von Trapp and ASHLEY BROWN (Broadway’s Mary Poppins, NBC’s The Sound of Music) will play The Mother Abbess with MERWIN FOARD as Max Detweiler, TERI HANSEN as Elsa Schraeder, DAN TRACY as Rolf and PAIGE SILVESTER as Liesl. The von Trapp children will be played by JEREMY MICHAEL LANUTI (Friedrich), MARIA SUZANNE KNASEL (Louisa), QUINN ERICKSON (Kurt), SVEA ELIZABETH JOHNSON (Brigitta), MACKENZIE CURRIE (Marta) and AUDREY BENNETT (Gretl). 

And introducing Jack O’Brien’s brand new discovery, KERSTIN ANDERSON as Maria Rainer.  A current student at Pace University, Ms. Anderson won the coveted role from hundreds who auditioned.  This is her first national tour. 

Director O’Brien had this to say about his leading lady, “in looking over a great American classic, like THE SOUND OF MUSIC, sometimes you stumble on something you wonder if anyone ever saw before.  For instance, I was privileged to actually see Mary Martin in the original production — as I was myself just a junior at the University of Michigan.  She was a great star, and she was giving a ‘great star’s’ performance.  She was at the apex of her career, and she was both brilliant and 46 years old.

“But in reading it privately, something caught my eye:  Maria is probably, as a postulant, no more than six or seven years older than Liesl!  She may be many things — a country lass, a climber-of-trees, a young renegade, but she is clearly NOT an established star!  How interesting!

“I’ve always believed Maria was a ‘star-making’ part, rather than the leading role we remember from the movies and our experience; so I went looking for someone with star-making magic.  And in through the audition door one day walked Kerstin Anderson, still studying at Pace University in New York.  She opened her mouth, she sang, and the tears welled up in my eyes.  

“If ever there were an enchanting young woman standing on the brink of discovery — this was it!  And now, the discovery is about to be all of ours!  Please, as I do — welcome her!"

The ensemble includes Carey Rebecca Brown, Ronald L. Brown, Cáitlín Burke, Christopher Carl, Kyla Carter, Patton Chandler, Daniella Dalli, Elisabeth Evans, Donna Garner, Meghan Hales, Jenavene Hester, Adam Hill, Darren Matthias, Kelly McCormick, Julia Osborne, Andrea Ross, Brent Schindele, Jim Schubin and Lucas Schultz.

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. This new production is directed by Jack O’Brien (credits include: Hairspray, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Coast of Utopia), choreographed by Danny Mefford (Fun Home, The Bridges of Madison County and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and music supervision by Andy Einhorn (Bullets Over Broadway, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Brief Encounter, The Light in the Piazza). The design and production team is comprised of Douglas W. Schmidt, set design (Tony Award® nominee: 42^nd Street, Into the Woods); Jane Greenwood, costume design (2014 recipient of the Special Tony Award® for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre), Natasha Katz, lighting design (Five-time Tony Award® winner: An American in Paris, Once, Aida, The Coast of Utopia, The Glass Menagerie) and Ken Travis, sound design (Aladdin, Newsies, Memphis). Casting by Telsey + Company/Rachel Hoffman, CSA.

According to director Jack O’Brien, “THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been in our ears for decades, as it deserves to be. But it might be time to look once more, and more closely, at this remarkable work which, I feel, begins to reveal itself as deeper, richer, and more powerful than ever. It’s no longer ‘your mother’s’ familiar SOUND OF MUSIC. We are tearing off the varnish of the past from one of the great glories of our theatergoing experience and making it fresh! This is an opportunity we’ve all longed to create!”

           

Producer Beth Williams (Grove Entertainment) said, “It’s a great privilege to bring this beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical to theaters across North America. We hope that people of all ages will continue to fall in love with it for the first time, or all over again, and that it will truly become one of their ‘favorite things.’ From our distinguished team led by the creative master Jack O’Brien, audiences can expect a truly magnificent production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.”

In the words of Ted Chapin, President of Rodgers & Hammerstein, “THE SOUND OF MUSIC continues to be the world’s most beloved musical.  When a major national tour was suggested, I not only agreed, but was willing to roll up my sleeves and do whatever I could to fashion a new stage production that would re-engage today’s theatergoing public. The show was originally created for Broadway, and seeing it on stage only reinforces the power of the story and the score. And with Jack O’Brien at the directorial helm – well, we simply couldn’t do better. Landing somewhere between The Coast of Utopia and Hairspray (shows for which Jack won the Tony®), his production is smart, focused, and surprising.”

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; 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with such songs as “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.

For more information, please visit www.TheSoundOfMusicOnTour.com.

www.facebook.com/TheSoundOfMusic

www.twitter.com/SoundOfMusic

www.instagram.com/SoundOfMusicOnTour

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FIFTH THIRD BANK BROADWAY IN ATLANTA is presented by Broadway Across America. Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, under the supervision of John Gore (Owner & CEO). BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 38 markets. Current and past productions includeBeautiful: The Carole King Musical, Finding Neverland, It Shoulda Been You, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray and The Producers. www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; www.Broadway.com