BLUMENTHAL ANNOUNCES THE 2011-2012 DUKE ENERGY BROADWAY LIGHTS SERIES

Charlotte, NC – Broadway’s best new shows will be on stage in Charlotte next season in the 2011-12 Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series.  The 2010 Tony Award® winners for Best Musical and Best Revival join five other hot, new hits and a return of the blockbuster JERSEY BOYS on the season.  Seven and eight-show season tickets are on sale now.
 Presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts, the 2011-12 Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series will include 2010 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical MEMPHIS; magnificently macabre smash-hit musical comedy THE ADDAMS FAMILY; the powerful revival of critical favorite WEST SIDE STORY; the red-hot rock n’ roll of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET; last year’s sellout JERSEY BOYS; the brand new original musical comedy BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL created by Broadway’s hottest young creatives; Twyla Tharp’s captivating Sinatra celebration COME FLY AWAY and the Tony Award®-winning revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. 
The all-star lineup has been nominated for 38 Tony Awards® and won 13 trophies between them. 
2011-2012 DUKE ENERGY BROADWAY LIGHTS SERIES (BLS)
THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Oct. 11-16, 2011 – Ovens Auditorium)
WEST SIDE STORY (Nov. 1-6, 2011 – Belk Theater)
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (Nov. 22-Dec. 11, 2011 – Knight Theater)
MEMPHIS (Jan. 3-8, 2012 – Ovens Auditorium)
JERSEY BOYS (Feb. 22-March 11, 2012 – Belk Theater)
BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL (April 10-15, 2012 – Belk Theater)
COME FLY AWAY (May 1-6, 2012 – Belk Theater)
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (May 29-June 3, 2012 – Belk Theater)
BROADWAY EXTRAS
ROCK OF AGES (Dec. 26-31, 2011 – Belk Theater)
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT (Feb. 17-19, 2012 – Knight Theater)
STOMP (Apr. 3-8, 2012 – Belk Theater)
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (June 26-July 1, 2012 – Belk Theater)
“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 Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard.  “We are proud to be one of the top 10 markets for touring Broadway shows, which helps Charlotte audiences be amongst the first to see tours like THE ADDAMS FAMILY; Charlotte is the third stop.  Additionally, we’re proud to be producing partners on LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, another Tony Award® winning show that will visit the Queen City for the first time.”
Tickets for the Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series productions are available only as part of a Broadway Lights Series season subscription.  The seven-show subscription includes all productions except JERSEY BOYS, where the eight-show subscription includes JERSEY BOYS. 
Current subscribers will receive renewal packages in the mail over the next few weeks and will have until May 23 to renew.  They also may contact Subscriber Services now by phone at 704.335.1010 to renew or renew in person at Belk Theater box office or when they attend YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN March 15-20 at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
Orders for new subscriptions also are being accepted.  To order or for information, call 704.335.1010. New orders also will be accepted at Belk Theater box office and at YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.  Online sales will be available later in the year.
Along with guaranteed seats for the series’ shows, season subscribers receive many other exclusive benefits, including access to the very best seats since subscribers are seated before single ticket buyers.  Subscribers also can receive as much as a 20% discount on some performances.  They also have the opportunity to purchase additional single tickets to the series’ shows and the Broadway extras, ROCK OF AGES, MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, STOMP and Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, with their subscription order.  Throughout the year, subscribers also are offered priority purchase opportunities for all Blumenthal sponsored events, and many times, a special discount price.
Theater fans recall that the multi-week run of JERSEY BOYS sold out and broke box office records in the Belk Theater.  The best way to assure that fans will get tickets to their favorite shows, including JERSEY BOYS, is by being a season subscriber. There has never been a better time to become a season subscriber.
One of the most popular subscriber benefits is the swap option, which allows subscribers to trade season tickets for one season show for anything else on the Blumenthal schedule.  For complete information on all the subscriber benefits, visit BlumenthalArts.org/Broadway.
An extended payment plan this year also will allow subscribers to spread the cost of their subscriptions over three 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