ANNOUNCING THE 2015-16 PNC BROADWAY LIGHTS

Charlotte, NC (Sunday, March 15, 2015) – Broadway’s hottest new shows will be on stage in Charlotte next season in the 2015-2016 PNC Broadway Lights lineup. From contemporary mega hits like Matilda The Musical, Beautiful- The Carole King Musical and If/Then to a beloved favorite, The Sound of Music, the season will mesmerize audiences with one hit after another.

     
“We are proud to bring some of Charlotte’s favorite titles to our theaters next season, along with some exciting twists that we are certain show fans will love,” said Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard. “We strive to bring nothing but the best of Broadway here to the Queen City, and thanks to our fans we are able to do it year after year as a top 10 touring market.”    

The new season brings a total of eight fantastic productions in the 2015-2016 PNC Broadway Lights package, including a brand new production of The Sound of Music directed by three-time Tony Award winning Director Jack O'Brien; TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year and winner of 50 international awards, Matilda The Musical; the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom, Beautiful- The Carole King Musical; IF/THEN, the contemporary Broadway musical about living in New York today and all the possibilities of tomorrow; The Wizard of Oz in an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic reconceived for the stage and including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber; and the hysterical and hopeful new Broadway musical about the chances we all take to find love, First Date the Musical. Plus, one surprise show to be announced later this spring to round out the 7-show season package.

“I wish I could reveal the title of this 7th show to our fans, but I’m not at liberty to announce it just yet,” explained Gabbard. “However, I feel confident they’ll be just as excited as I am when they find out what is headed our way!”
Fans who want maximum value can opt for an 8-show season ticket.
As the 8th show option, The Bridges of Madison County is a stunning new production and two-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical featuring gorgeous, soulful music by composer Jason Robert Brown.
In addition to these season shows, Blumenthal will present an extraordinary lineup of Broadway Extras, including two blockbuster hits, Wicked and The Book of Mormon. Plus, a return engagement of the hit show Kinky Boots.

 

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2008, followed by record-breaking returns in 2010 and 2012, Wicked will once again return to Charlotte’s Ovens Auditorium Jan. 6-31, 2016.

 

By popular demand, The Book of Mormon, which played a record-breaking one week run in 2013 returns to Charlotte for a limited engagement Feb. 23- March 6, 2016 in Belk Theater.  

“We’re ecstatic to bring these shows back to Charlotte,” said Gabbard. “They completely fill the houses and leave our fans on an all-time high.”

Also included as Broadway Extras are Motown the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Kinky Boots, Hip Hop Nutcracker, and STOMP.

Season ticket buyers will be able to purchase tickets to Broadway Extras with their season ticket order long before sales to many of these hits open to the public.

To order now:
- Visit BlumenthalArts.org/Broadway
- Call 704-335-1010
- Visit Belk Theater box office, 130 N. Tryon St., Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Season ticket buyers can reserve their tickets now through April 30 for only $25 per season ticket when they select an extended payment plan. The balance of their order will be billed in ten equal installments starting in May. Season tickets begin as low as $21.35 per month with extended payments ($238.50 total).

Along with guaranteed seats for shows in the series, season ticket holders also receive access to the very best seats since they are seated before single ticket buyers.  Season ticket buyers also get the best prices. Ticket prices often increase as availability declines. This season, most Blumenthal Broadway engagements had only limited seat availability by their opening performance.

“Charlotte has a tremendous Broadway fan base, but that can sometimes make seats challenging to find,” said Gabbard. “To avoid missing out on the seats you prefer, and to get the most affordable price, season tickets are the way to go.” 

Buyers who purchase or renew season tickets while attending Kinky Boots March 17-22 at Belk Theater will receive a $25 restaurant voucher to Dressler’s Restaurant. This special gift with purchase also will be available for a limited time.

2015-2016 PNC BROADWAY LIGHTS
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Nov. 24-29, 2015 – Belk Theater)
MATILDA THE MUSICAL (Feb. 9-14, 2016 – Belk Theater)
BEAUTIFUL- THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (April 19-24, 2016 – Belk Theater)
THE WIZARD OF OZ (July 5-10, 2016 – Belk Theater)
IF/THEN (July 19-24, 2016 – Belk Theater)
FIRST DATE THE MUSICAL (Late fall, 2016 – Booth Playhouse)
[7th title TBA]  (Late fall, 2016 – Belk Theater)
Include THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (May 3-8, 2016 – Knight Theater) for an 8-show Package! 

BROADWAY EXTRAS
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (Aug. 25-Sept. 6, 2015 – Belk Theater)
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Sept. 29-Oct.4, 2015 – Belk Theater)
KINKY BOOTS (Dec. 29, 2015-Jan. 3, 2016 – Belk Theater)
THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER (Dec. 29, 2015-Jan. 3, 2016 – Booth Playhouse)
WICKED (Jan. 6-31, 2016 – Ovens Auditorium)
THE BOOK OF MORMON (Feb. 23- March 6, 2016 – Belk Theater)
STOMP (April 4-10, 2016 – Knight Theater)

 

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
November 24-29, 2015 • Belk Theater
The hills are alive! A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winning Director Jack O'Brien, is coming to Belk Theater. 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, including "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Edelweiss" and the title song. THE SOUND OF MUSIC enjoyed extraordinary success as the first live television production of a musical in more than 50 years when "The Sound of Music Live!" aired on NBC in December, 2013 (seen by more than 44 million people); 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL
February 9-14, 2016 • Belk Theater
TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year and winner of 50 international awards including 4 Tony awards and a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny.
Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, MATILDA is a charmer full of adorable children with British accents.  The Wall Street Journal says, “The makers of MATILDA have done the impossible – triumphantly! It is smart, sweet, zany and stupendous fun.”

 

BEAUTIFUL- THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL
April 19-24, 2016 • Belk Theater
BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.
Featuring a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song, BEAUTIFUL took home two 2014 Tony® Awards and a 2015 Grammy® Award.

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
May 3-8, 2016 • Knight Theater
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, one of the most romantic stories ever written, first captured the nation’s attention as a best-selling novel by Robert James Waller and is now an irresistible, two time Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical. This stunning new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award®-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that the Daily News hails as “one of Broadway’s best scores in the last decade.” With a book by Pulitzer Prize Winner Marsha Norman (The Secret Garden, The Color Purple) and direction by Tony® winner Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza), THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is the unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

THE WIZARD OF OZ
July 5-10, 2016 • Belk Theater
"We're off to see..." The most magical adventure of them all. This new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage.
Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this production contains the beloved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts' desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for the whole family.

IF/THEN
July 19-24, 2016 • Belk Theater
IF/THEN is a contemporary Broadway musical about living in New York today -- and all the possibilities of tomorrow. With unforgettable songs and a deeply moving story by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creators of Next to Normal, this "fascinating, ambitious, and original new musical (New York Post)" simultaneously follows one woman's two possible life paths, painting a deeply moving portrait of the lives we lead, as well as the lives we might have led.

FIRST DATE THE MUSICAL
Fall, 2016 • Booth Playhouse
When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening. In a delightful and unexpected twist, Casey and Aaron’s inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines. Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives?
FIRST DATE is a hysterical and hopeful new Broadway musical about the chances we all take to find love.

BLOCKBUSTER Broadway Extras
(Broadway Extras are available for purchase with a 2015-2016 PNC Broadway Lights Season ticket.)
WICKED
January 6-31, 2016 • Ovens Auditorium
Back by “popular” demand.  Variety calls WICKED "a cultural phenomenon,” and it continues to break box office records across North America. Winner of over 100 international awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times).
Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the Land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for "the most complete - and completely satisfying - musical in a long time" (USA Today).

THE BOOK OF MORMON
February 23- March 6, 2016 • Belk Theater
Hailed by The New York Times as "the best musical of this century" and the winner of nine Tony Awards®, THE BOOK OF MORMON is the blockbuster Broadway smash from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and the Oscar®-winning composer of Disney's Frozen and Avenue Q, Bobby Lopez.
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.

Broadway Extras (Cont.)
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
August 25 - September 6, 2015 • Belk Theater
It began as one man's story… became everyone's music… and is now Broadway's musical. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Now, experience it live on stage in the record-breaking smash hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL!

NETworks presents
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
September 29-October 4, 2015 • Belk Theater

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to Charlotte! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!

 

KINKY BOOTS
December 29, 2015- January 3, 2016 • Belk Theater
KINKY BOOTS is the exhilarating Broadway musical that will lift your spirits to new high-heeled heights! Winner of six Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, this inspirational story follows a struggling shoe factory owner who works to turn his business around with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Together, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… proving that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. Inspired by a true story, KINKY BOOTS features a joyous, Tony-winning score by CYNDI LAUPER, direction and Tony-winning choreography by JERRY MITCHELL and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner HARVEY FIERSTEIN. Come join the sold-out audiences who’ve discovered why – sometimes – the best way to fit in is to stand out!

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER
December 29- January 3, 2016 • Booth Playhouse 
The Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrates old and new, retaining Tchaikovsky’s famous score but replacing ballet with hip hop dancers. The adaptation is respectful of the traditional narrative with references to beloved touchstones like the Mouse King and growing tree. But the story is relocated to contemporary Washington Heights, takes place on New Year’s Eve, and adds a twist to drive the action through Act II.

STOMP
April 4- 10, 2016 • Knight Theater
STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique — an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Year after year, audiences worldwide keep coming back for more of this pulse-pounding electrifying show. As The Boston Globe says, “If you haven’t seen STOMP, GO! If you have seen it, take someone and share the pleasure!” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.

 

ABOUT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS
Blumenthal Performing Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education provider. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Performing Arts receives operating support from the Arts & Science Council and the North Carolina Arts Council. Blumenthal Performing Arts is also supported through the generous aid of its sponsors including, PNC Bank, sponsor of PNC Broadway Lights; and American Airlines, official airline of Blumenthal Performing Arts.