Movin' Out, A New Musical, Moves into the Academy of Music, May 15 – 17
APRIL 9, 2009
Photo: 2007, Joan Marcus
Tickets On Sale Now!
Movin' Out, the Tony Award-winning new musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 classic songs by Billy Joel, is movin' in to Philadelphia's Academy of Music for a limited weekend engagement May 15 – 17, 2009. This engagement of Movin' Out will mark the return of the show to Philadelphia, but will mark the show's premiere at the Academy of Music.
Part of the Kimmel Center's Broadway Series, tickets are now on sale ranging in price from $25 to $70 with a limited number of VIP premium seats available for $100. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, visiting online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Spruce Sts. (open daily 10am to 6pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad and Locust Sts., (open during performances only). Groups of 15 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883.
Performances include: Friday (May 15) and Saturday (May 16) evenings at 8pm; Sunday evening (May 17) at 6:30pm; matinees Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm.
Told through the choreography of Twyla Tharp and more than two dozen of Billy Joel's hit songs, Movin' Out is the story of lifelong friends through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them forever. Songs like "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "Pressure" all come together to weave a musical backdrop which beautifully complements Tharp's innovative choreography. The songs and dance take audiences through a poignant narrative comprised of three main elements: post-World War II idealism, the Vietnam War and its subsequent unrest, and finally, survival.
Many will recognize Movin' Out's main characters, as they come straight from Joel's lyrics. There's Brenda and Eddie from "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," Tony and Sergeant O'Leary from "Movin' Out," Judy from "Why, Judy, Why," and James from "James"—and their story is told completely through dance, with no dialogue whatsoever. Movin' Out is "a story told without language," Tharp says. "The movement and the action tell the story—the experience, the emotional resonance, comes from action rather than language."
The Broadway production of Movin' Out played for over three years, closing on December 11, 2005, after 28 previews and 1,303 regular performances. It joined the pantheon of great Broadway dance musicals when it surpassed the runs of Contact, Fosse and Bring in ‘Da Noise/Bring in ‘Da Funk. Movin' Out received two 2003 Tony Awards — one for Ms. Tharp (Best Choreography) and one for Mr. Joel (Best Orchestrations).
Movin' Out features a scenic design by Kelly Tighe, costume design by Suzy Benzinger, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Duncan Robert Edwards. Musical Supervision is by Rob Cookman.
The final production of the 2009 Broadway Series will be Spring Awakening (June 23 – 28). The 2009-2010 Broadway Series will launch its first production of the new season with Grease starring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks (July 7 – 19). All performances of the 2009 Broadway Series are supported by CITI.
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