Kimmel Center Announces Lineup for "Broadway Philadelphia on Independence Mall" at Wawa Welcome America, July 3, 2017, 5:00-6:30 PM

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Press Contact:

Leslie Tyler

215-790-7173

ltyler@kimmelcenter.org

KIMMEL CENTER ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR BROADWAY PHILADELPHIA ON INDEPENDENCE MALL AT WAWA WELCOME AMERICA, JULY 3, 2017, 5:00 – 6:30 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, June 26, 2017) –– The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in association with Wawa Welcome America, announces Broadway Philadelphia on Independence Mall, a free concert taking place during Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party on July 3, 2017 from 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. For the first time during Wawa Welcome America, in celebration of the event’s 25th anniversary, audiences will get a star-studded sneak peek at the 2017/18 Broadway Philadelphia season, plus exclusive giveaways.

The 90-minute celebration of musical theater will feature performances from 11 of Broadway’s hottest shows coming to Philadelphia, including Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, STOMP, The Color Purple, Aladdin, and more. New Jersey comedian and Off-Broadway star Dena Blizzard will emcee the event, with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the Kimmel Center’s resident Tony voter, Frances Egler. A front row VIP area and additional giveaways are reserved for Kimmel Center Broadway Philadelphia subscribers.

“The Wawa Welcome America festival is such a treasured part of Independence Day celebrations in Philadelphia, a city rich in history” said Anne Ewers, President & CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “We are thrilled to join the party this year, with exclusive performances featuring the very best of Broadway.”

A full lineup for Broadway Philadelphia on Independence Mall is below. For more information on the 2017/18 Broadway Philadelphia season, please visit kimmelcenter.org.

BROADWAY PHILADELPHIA ON INDEPENDENCE MALL

Freedom Stage on Independence Mall (5th and Market Street)

July 3, 2017, 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

FREE

The free concert will feature music from the following shows:

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical

From his meteoric rise to fame in 1957 through his tragic death less than two years later, Buddy Holly influenced modern music like no other performer of his generation. (June 24-July 9, 2017)

Disney’s Aladdin

From the producers of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. (June 13-July 1, 2018)

Finding Neverland

Finding Neverland tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. (November 21-26, 2017)

Kinky Boots

With songs by Grammy® and Tony Award®-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. (October 3-8, 2017)

Les Misérables

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. (January 9-21, 2018)

STOMP

Stomp is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. (December 26-31, 2017)

The Color Purple

With a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.(December 12-17, 2017)

The Phantom of the Opera

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera will return to Philadelphia as part of a brand new North American Tour! (November 1-12, 2017)

The Sound of Music

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 (April 24-29, 2018).

Waitress

Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert piemaker “dreaming her way” out of her small town. (February 13-18, 2018)

Wicked

Back by “popular” demand. Wicked, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz… but from a different angle. (July 26-August 27, 2017)

Tickets

This is a free event. Tickets are not required to attend.

About Welcome America, Inc.

Welcome America, Inc. is a 501c3, non-profit organization in public-private partnership with the City of Philadelphia. Welcome America, Inc.’s mission is to promote American history, education and Philadelphia. The organization seeks to enhance the resident and visitor experience through citywide events that provide an economic boost to the local economy. Moving forward, Welcome America, Inc. will produce and assist in the growth of select city events year-round that can increase awareness of Philadelphia as an event destination.

Founded in 1993, Welcome America, Inc. celebrates its 25th year in 2017. Welcome America, Inc. produces the annual Wawa Welcome America festival, the nation’s premier July 4th celebration in the birthplace of our nation. Philadelphia's July 4th festival – Wawa Welcome America – is a multi-day citywide festival with 50 FREE events including one of America’s most inclusive free Independence Day concerts, multiple world-class fireworks displays, outdoor movie screenings, free museum days, community events and more.

Wawa Welcome America is presented by Title Partner, Wawa, Inc. and presenting Broadband Communications Partner Comcast NBCUniversal with NBC10 and Telemundo62 as the local broadcast partners. With additional support by the City of Philadelphia, Live Nation and Philadelphia International Airport.

For more information, visit www.welcomeamerica.com.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center’s mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center Campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2016-2017 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

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