Kimmel Center Presents Announces Second Season of Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy
Another Blockbuster Lineup of National Broadway Tours for 2004/2005 Combines World Premiere Musicals with Tony Award-Winning Classics
March 2, 2004
Cathy Rigby stars in Peter Pan
The 2004-2005 Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy season will include: The King and I (September 7-12, 2004); Big River (November 23-28, 2004); Disney’s On The Record (January 4-9, 2005); Peter Pan (March 22-27, 2005); Smokey Joe’s Café (April 1-3, 2005); and Riverdance (April 5-10, 2005).
In addition, the national tour of Disney’s THE LION KING is scheduled to appear at the Academy of Music in 2006. Subscribers to the 2004-2005 Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy season will have the first opportunity to purchase prime seats for THE LION KING.
"The popularity of our first Broadway season, and the support we received from our theater audiences was overwhelming," said Kimmel Center, Inc. President and CEO Janice Price. "We are proud and excited to announce our second season with another lineup of sensational Broadway musicals geared toward the entire family including a Disney premiere, Broadway revivals, and Tony Award-winning classics."
Kimmel Center, Inc. Director of Theatrical Presentations Jordan Fiksenbaum said, "We were extremely pleased that theater fans in the Philadelphia area responded so positively to our initial Broadway season at the Academy. This is a clear sign to us that we presented the quality and variety of Broadway productions expected by the theater-buying public. We are delighted to continue this successful pattern by presenting another incredible lineup of national Broadway tours to the beautiful and historic Academy of Music."
Slated for the 2004-2005 Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy season will be:
A lavish new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I will feature Broadway veteran Sandy Duncan as ‘Anna.’ Set in the 1860’s in the city of Bangkok, The King and I is the timeless love story between a powerful and stubborn king and a determined governess named Anna. Based on a true story and the best-selling 1944 novel, Anna and the King of Siam, The King and I is a fascinating tale about a clash of customs. Over time Anna earns the admiration of the royal family, and eventually wins the respect of the king himself in this beautiful story of love and forgiveness. The King and I features opulent settings, dazzling costumes, beautiful choreography by Jerome Robbins, and an award-winning musical score by Rodgers & Hammerstein including such memorable songs as "Hello Young Lovers," "I Whistle A Happy Tune," "Shall We Dance?" and "Getting To Know You."
The most critically lauded event of the last Broadway season now embarks on a new national tour. Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, will include deaf and hard-of-hearing actors, along with hearing actors performing each role in a synchronized ballet of speaking and signing. Spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL) are interwoven with music, dance and storytelling techniques from both hearing and deaf cultures into a "third language" creating a unique theatrical event. The winner of six L.A. Ovation Awards and five L.A Drama Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical, Big River features a score of Cajun, gospel, folk, country and blues songs. Set in the 1840’s in rural America, the musical follows the exploits of the irrepressible Huck Finn and his friend Jim, a runaway slave, as they explore life along the mighty Mississippi River. Along the way they meet the uproarious King and Duke, Tom Sawyer, and Huck’s father, the sinister Pap Finn. Big River is produced by California’s critically acclaimed Deaf West Theatre, Inc., founded in 1991 to provide deaf artists and audiences exposure and access to professional theater.
From the producers of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, Disney On Broadway features its new musical, On The Record. The show-stopping new production features more than 50 of the most beloved songs ever written, from some of the most popular films ever made, including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Tarzan, The Hunchback of
Notre Dame, Sleeping Beauty, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Lady and the Tramp, Cinderella and Snow White. The audience is taken behind-the-scenes at a very magical recording session. The "man in charge" must inspire a stageful of singers, musicians and technicians to deliver the performance of their lives—where every song you see performed ends up On The Record.
In her farewell performance, Cathy Rigby stars in the title role in the 100th Anniversary of the tale of Peter Pan. Rigby, nominated for a Tony Award for this role, will recreate her role as the forever-young, magical boy in this beloved classic family musical. The athletic actress recently starred on Broadway as the Cat-In-The-Hat, in Seussical, the Musical. Peter Pan, which also earned Tony nominations for Best Revival of a Musical, will feature all of the tale’s famous characters including the evil Captain Hook, the crafty crocodile, and the enchantment of Never Never Land.
The longest running Broadway review in history, Smokey Joe’s Café returns to the stage on national tour. The greatest hits of the ‘50’s and 60’s by legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are featured in a hand-clappin,’ toe-tappin’ night of raucous musical theater that broke records on Broadway and won a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Smokey Joe’s Café features some of the greatest songs of rock’n’roll made popular by artists such as Elvis Presley, The Drifters, The Coasters, Ben E. King, Peggy Lee, and countless others. Songs like "Jailhouse Rock," "Stand By Me," "Yakety Yak," "Hound Dog," "Poison Ivy," "Charlie Brown," and "Love Potion #9," are among the featured songs. In an idealized ‘50’s setting, the classic themes of love won, lost and imagined blend with hilarious set-pieces and slice-of-life emotions.
Riverdance, the internationally acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance triumphantly returns to Philadelphia for the first time on the Academy of Music stage. Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty, and directed by John McColgan, Riverdance took the world by storm when it opened in 1995. The extraordinarily unique show focuses on the evolution of Irish dance, along with its similarities and influences on other cultures. A cast of talented dancers, singers, and musicians perform in perfect synchronized unison to the show-stopping numbers that have made Riverdance an international phenomenon.
Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy subscription packages are on sale now and include a four-show subscription package consisting of The King & I, Big River, Disney’s On The Record, and Peter Pan. Subscribers will also be offered discounts for the two non-subscription shows, Smokey Joe’s Café and Riverdance.
"Thanks to the input and suggestions of our inaugural season subscribers, we are happy to offer some new benefits this season," said Fiksenbaum.
Newly introduced benefits for subscribers include earlier weekday evening performances, a 50 percent ticket discount for Students and Seniors for designated performances, and the opportunity for subscribers to stay after designated shows and enjoy a Q &A session with actors and production staff.
Subscription ticket prices for the 2004-2005 season range from $82 to $307. Single tickets sales for each show will be announced at a later date. Subscribers will receive a variety of exclusive privileges and benefits including first chance at best seats in the house and option to renew seats every year; special discounts on tickets including big savings for Students and Seniors; special exchange ticket privileges; discounted parking privileges; discounts on all Kimmel Center Presents events; a special 50/50 payment plan; discounts on shopping at Intermission, the Kimmel Center gift shop, and dining at the K.Lounge; a Kimmel Card entitling ticket holders to discounts at more than 50 restaurants and shops throughout Center City; and discount offers to additional Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy and Kimmel Center Presents productions. To order tickets or for more information on subscription packages call 215-893-1955 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway.
All performances of Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy are generously supported by Citizens Bank and the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Cadillac is the Official Vehicle of Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy.
Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music together serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations including: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
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