Kimmel Center, Inc. & Shubert Organization, Inc. Present New Cadillac Broadway Series
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Philadelphia Will Be Seeing Purple! Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple
For A Special Four Week Engagement Along With Recent Tony Award® Winning Musicals Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone
My Fair Lady, Gypsy And Mamma Mia! To Make Academy Premieres
Wicked Returns!
Kimmel Center, Inc. And Shubert Organization, Inc. Launch First Season Of Joint Theatrical Presentations
Subscription Season Ticket Packages Available Now!
The Academy of Music and the Forrest Theatre will host the hottest Broadway musicals on tour when the brand new 2007-2008 Cadillac Broadway Series theatre season debuts this fall. The 2007-08 Cadillac Broadway Series subscription season will feature:
The Most Awarded Show of 2006, The Drowsy Chaperone (November 27–December 2, 2007); My Fair Lady (March 11–16, 2008); From the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple (June 17–July 13, 2008), all at the Academy of Music; and the 2004 Tony Award® Winning Best Musical Avenue Q (January 29–February 10, 2008) at the Forrest Theatre.
This new Cadillac Broadway Series marks the first full season of cooperation between Kimmel Center, Inc. and Shubert Organization, Inc., where theatrical presentations in Philadelphia will be presented at the Academy of Music and the Forrest Theatre.
"It is our belief that a working relationship between our two organizations will strengthen opportunities, and that this relationship will bolster our ability to offer producers an attractive array of options when routing productions to Philadelphia," said Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman of Shubert Organization, Inc. "Shubert has been serving the Philadelphia audience for over a century. We have operated the Forrest Theatre for almost 80 years and we expect that this cooperative effort will allow us to continue to do so for many more years."
Additional Cadillac Broadway Series shows will include: WICKED (July 25–August 19, 2007); Gypsy (May 9–11, 2008); and Mamma Mia! (July 15–27, 2008) at the Academy of Music.
WICKED returns to the Academy of Music this summer, July 25 – August 19, 2007. The 2006 three-week engagement of WICKED broke box office records. WICKED will be offered as a special on the Cadillac Broadway Series.
"It is our goal to offer the Philadelphia theater community the top-rated Broadway musicals and classics on tour every year," said Kimmel Center Acting President and COO Natalye Paquin. "This season’s new lineup features some of the biggest, brightest and the most popular musicals in the industry. Philadelphia has embraced our programming and the audience support provides us the ability to bring this caliber of entertainment to the Philadelphia metropolitan area."
"We are delighted to once again offer our patrons only the best in Broadway entertainment," said Kimmel Center Vice President of Theatrical Presentations Jordan Fiksenbaum. "We always strive to offer a variety of musicals that will appeal to everyone—from family musicals and musical comedies, to first-time premieres and all-time favorites. This new season will offer all of that and more. The support of the local theater community has been a major part in the success of our Broadway program, and has made it possible for us to provide the Award-winning productions of the past and in the seasons to come."
"We are also looking forward to our first full season of theatrical presentations together with The Shubert Organization at the Forrest Theatre, which gives both organizations more versatility in bringing musical productions to Philadelphia," said Fiksenbaum.
Get ready to be transported to a magical, wonderful world when the new musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone (November 27–December 2, 2007, Academy of Music) kicks off the subscription season. Filled with tons of laughs, and the most 2006 Tony Awards® of any musical on Broadway, it all begins when a die-hard musical fan plays his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called "The Drowsy Chaperone," and the show literally bursts to life in his living room. We are instantly immersed in the glamorous, hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with thrills and surprises that take both the cast (literally) and the audience (metaphorically) soaring into the rafters.
The Drowsy Chaperone features the Tony Award® winning creative team of Bob Martin and Don McKellar (Book), Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison (Music & Lyrics), and is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (Spamalot).
Avenue Q (January 29–February 10, 2008), Broadway’s smash-hit 2004 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, makes its Philadelphia debut at the Forrest Theatre. A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, Avenue Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Called "one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see" by Entertainment Weekly, Avenue Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risqué and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it "Subversive and Uproarious!" Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Avenue Q composers/lyricists Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx won the 2004 Tony Award® for Best Musical Score, and Jeff Whitty (Book) won the Tony Award® for Best Book of a Musical. Based on an Original Concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, the creative team also includes: Jason Moore (director), who was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award® and Ken Roberson (choreography).
My Fair Lady (March 11–16, 2008, Academy of Music) premieres in the U.S. direct from its 50th Anniversary London production and U.K. national tour. The legendary Lerner & Loewe musical will star acclaimed British theatre actors Christopher Cazenove and Lisa O’Hare who earned rave reviews for their dynamic performances as Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Based on the Cameron Mackintosh/National Theatre of Great Britain’s award-winning London sensation, and hailed as "the revival against which all others will be measured" (London Daily Mail), this glorious, new production features one of Broadway’s most beloved scores including "The Rain In Spain," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "Get Me to the Church on Time."
The U.S. national tour of My Fair Lady brings together the original U.K. artistic team with direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Miserables), choreography and musical staging by Matthew Bourne (Mary Poppins) , and production design by Anthony Ward (Gypsy).
Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple for a special four week engagement (June 17 – July 13, 2008, Academy of Music), nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical. The Color Purple opened on December 1, 2006 at the Broadway Theatre, where it continues its record breaking run. It is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is an inspiring and unforgettable story of a woman named Celie, who through love finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. With a moving book and a score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, The Color Purple is about hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life.
As on Broadway, the first North American Tour of The Color Purple will be directed by Gary Griffin. The Color Purple features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy® Award-winning composers/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and choreography by Donald Byrd. The original creative team of Tony Award®-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award®-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Jon Weston (sound), Jonathan Tunick (orchestrations) and Kevin Stites (Music Supervisor) has been reunited for the tour.
Gypsy (May 9 – 11, 2008), one of the greatest Broadway musicals of the 20th century, will make its Philadelphia premiere on the Academy stage, touring for the first time in over 15 years. The big, brassy, funny and unforgettable show features music by Julie Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents. The stylish new production features one of Broadway’s most recognizable musical scores including: "Let Me Entertain You," "Everything’s Coming Up Roses," "Small World," "All I need is the Girl," "Together, Wherever We Go," "You Gotta Have a Gimmick," and many more.
Gypsy, the story of Gypsy Rose Lee, has been heralded as "The Greatest of all American Musicals" and its achievements on stage, in film and in television over the years are unparalleled: 20 Tony Award® nominations; 12 Emmy Awards nominations; 10 Drama Desk Awards nominations; 9 Golden Globe Award nominations; and 3 Academy Award nominations.
Mamma Mia! (July 15 – 27, 2008) returns to Philadelphia for the fourth time, making its Academy of Music premiere next summer. "Dancing Queen," "Take A Chance on Me" and "Waterloo"…You know and love these ABBA classics, so don’t miss your chance to see this wonderfully entertaining show featuring 22 of ABBA’s timeless songs, and one enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship! With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, Mamma Mia! is the World’s No. 1 Show, a Philadelphia favorite and a "guaranteed get happy hit." UPN-TV.
Subscription Information
Subscription series prices for the 2007-08 season range from $94.50 to $400. To order tickets or for more information on subscription packages call 215-731-3333 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway. Groups of 20 or more call 215-790-5883, 866-276-2947 or visit www.telecharge.com/groups. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.
Cadillac Broadway Series subscribers are offered a variety of exclusive privileges including the first opportunity to select the best seats in the house and the option to renew these seats every year. Subscribers are also entitled to discounts of up to 20% on additional Cadillac Broadway Series shows and Kimmel Center Presents performances, in addition to up to 50% savings for both senior citizens and students. Pre-paid discounted parking, a special 50/50 payment plan, restaurant and retail discounts are also available to subscribers. A flexible ticket exchange program allows subscribers to exchange tickets for another performance of the same show.
Sponsor Information
All performances of 2007-08 Cadillac Broadway Series are supported by Cadillac, Target, WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Cadillac Broadway Series.
About The Kimmel Center
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 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 Cadillac Broadway Series of performances.
About The Shubert Organization
The Shubert Organization in the forefront of the American theatre since the start of the 20th century is responsible for the ownership and/or operation of 21 theatres in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Under the leadership of Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman; Philip J. Smith, President; and Robert E. Wankel, Executive Vice-President, the firm continues its involvement in the presentation of distinguished theatrical productions. Some of the firm’s most notable productions include Cats, Sunday in the Park with George, Dreamgirls, The Grapes of Wrath, Little Shop of Horrors, The Heidi Chronicles, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Song & Dance, Lettice & Lovage, Dancin’, Amadeus, The Gin Game, An Inspector Calls, Passion and Indiscretions. The Shubert Organization is dedicated to a continuing campaign for the revitalization of the American theatre. Its many levels of activity include refurbishment of all Shubert playhouses, participation in civic and community affairs, the introduction of phone and charge ticket sales and a computerized ticketing system. This wide range of operation has proven highly effective in New York and throughout the country.
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