BLUMENTHAL ANNOUNCES BLOCKBUSTER BROADWAY LINEUP FOR 2009-2010

CHARLOTTE, NC – A blockbuster lineup of Broadway’s most popular and critically acclaimed productions will visit the Queen City in 2009/10 as part of the N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s Broadway Lights Series.
The Center’s 2009/10 series includes four Tony Award winners for Broadway’s Best Musical, as well as a stunning new show direct from Israel.  Many of the shows coming to Charlotte are among the most popular hits on Broadway today.
“Charlotte theater fans who want to see the best of current or recent hits in New York won’t have to go any further next year than Uptown Charlotte,” said Center President Tom Gabbard.  “Never before have we had four multi-week shows in a single season, twice as many as any previous season.  This is particular good news for the local economy since these multi-week shows have a strong regional draw that generates hotel stays, restaurant visits, shopping and other ancillary spending.  It’s a tribute to our theater fans and their steadfast support of our shows that New York’s best producers are eager to bring their shows to Charlotte.”
2009/10 BROADWAY LIGHTS SERIES (BLS) 
A CHORUS LINE (Sep. 29 – Oct. 4, 2009 – Belk Theater)
SOUTH PACIFIC (Nov. 10-15, 2009 – Belk Theater)
THE ALUMINUM SHOW (Jan. 12-24, 2010 – Knight Theater)
SPRING AWAKENING (Feb. 2-7, 2010 – Belk Theater)
JERSEY BOYS (March 31 – April 11, 2010 – Belk Theater)
WICKED (May 19 – June 13, 2010 – Ovens Auditorium)
MARY POPPINS (Aug. 26 – Sept. 5, 2010 – Belk Theater)
BROADWAY EXTRA  
GREASE (Dec. 1-6, 2009 – Ovens Auditorium)
Along with the excitement of six incredible Broadway hits, the new season features the opening of the new Knight Theater in the South Tryon Street Cultural Campus.  Direct from Israel, the amazing ALUMINUM SHOW is a production that combines amazing special effects, acrobatics, dance and puppetry.  Broadway Lights audiences will have the opportunity to experience the new theater and a thrilling show in the vein of last fall’s smash hit, TRACES.  “We are very pleased we were able to find a perfect show for the Knight Theater, so that our Broadway Lights audiences would be among the first to experience the new theater,” Gabbard said. 
Along with the seven shows on the Broadway Lights Series, GREASE will return to Charlotte as a Broadway Extra.  This beloved comedy will feature American Idol winner Taylor Hicks.  Broadway Lights Series subscribers may purchase tickets for GREASE along with their season subscriptions.
Tickets for the Broadway Lights Series productions are currently available only as part of a Broadway Lights Series season subscription.  The basic six show subscription includes all productions except WICKED.  A seven-show subscription includes WICKED.  Prices for a six-show package range from $187.60 to $449.75.  Seven-show subscriptions begin at $228.10 and range to $540.25.
Current Subscribers will receive renewal packages in the mail over the next few weeks and will have until May 1 to renew.  They also may contact Subscriber Services now by phone at 704.335.1010 to renew or renew in person at the Belk Theater box office or when they attend  BURN THE FLOOR March 24-29 at the Belk Theater.
Orders for new subscriptions also are being accepted now.  To order or get more information, call 704.335.1010. New orders also will be accepted at the Belk Theater box office and at BURN THE FLOOR.
Along with guaranteed seats for the series’ shows, season subscribers receive many other special benefits, including access to the very best seats since subscribers are seated before single ticket buyers.  Subscribers also receive special discounts off single ticket prices to many shows, both as part of their subscription and on any additional tickets they purchase for other Center events during the year.  They also have the opportunity to purchase additional single tickets to the series’ shows  and the Broadway extra, GREASE, with their subscription order.  Throughout the year, subscribers also are offered priority purchase opportunities for all Center sponsored events.
There has never been a better time to become a Season Subscriber.  Many theater fans recall that the two week run of WICKED sold out in a matter of hours.  The best way to assure that fans will not be disappointed in getting tickets to their favorite shows is by being a season subscriber.
One of the most popular subscriber benefits is the subscriber swap option, which allows subscribers to trade their season tickets for one series’ show for anything else on the Center schedule.  For complete information on all the subscriber benefits, visit BlumenthalCenter.org/Broadway.
A new extended payment plan this year also will allow subscribers to spread the cost of their subscriptions over four monthly payments.
“We recognize that our customers are looking for value, and we have responded with a Broadway Lights Series that delivers incredible entertainment to their doorsteps,” Gabbard said.  “There has never been a better or more exciting year to become a Broadway Lights Series season subscriber, and we look forward to a great response from both our current subscribers and those who may be new to the series.  If you love musical theater, next year is not to be missed.”    

For more information, click on the PDF below.