The Bushnell Announces 2003-2004 Phoenix Broadway Series
Contact: Jennifer Gallagher (860) 987-6082; e-mail: jennifer_gallagher@bushnell.org
JANUARY 15, 2003, HARTFORD, CT - The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the 2003-2004 Phoenix Broadway Series. The coming season features the Connecticut premieres of four direct-from-Broadway shows: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Movin' Out and The Graduate.
Bushnell Executive Director David Fay says, "We're very excited about the 2003-2004 Phoenix Broadway Series. With four Broadway hits making their Connecticut debuts and family favorites like The Sound of Music and Oliver!, next season's Phoenix Broadway Series will once again offer something for everyone."
Current subscribers will receive their renewal packages in March, and new subscriptions will be available beginning in May. Individual tickets for the first two shows of the season, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hairspray, will be available in June. Individual tickets for the remaining shows will be available in late August.
2003-2004 Phoenix Broadway Series:
Thoroughly Modern Millie -- September 2-7, 2003; Mortensen Hall The winner of six 2002 Tony(r) Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie is this season's most awarded new show on Broadway. Based on the 1967 Oscar-winning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie takes audiences back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City, when "moderns" - including a flapper named Millie Dillmount - were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love. A delightful valentine to the longstanding spirit of New York City and the people who seek to discover themselves there, this new stage version of Thoroughly Modern Millie features 15 songs, including two from the 1967 film, four standards from the 1920s and nine new songs by Jeanine Tesori (music) and Dick Scanlan (lyrics).
Hairspray -- September 23-October 5, 2003; Mortensen Hall Broadway's new musical-comedy phenomenon takes you back to 1962 Baltimore, as 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad sets out to dance her way onto TV's most popular show. Can a big girl with big dreams - and even bigger hair! - change the world...and still have time to win the boy she loves? This mega-hit is piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance - and enough deliriously tuneful new songs to fill a nonstop platter-party. As The New York Times says, "If life were everything it should be, it would be more like Hairspray. It's irresistible!"
The Sound of Music -- October 28-November 2, 2003; Mortensen Hall Winner of 8 Tony Awards, The Sound of Music is the world's most beloved musical. The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein tells the story of Maria, governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain. Filled with some of the most memorable songs ever heard, including "The Sound of Music," "My Favorite Things," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and "Edelweiss," The Sound of Music is perfect for the whole family.
Movin' Out -- February 24-29, 2004; Mortensen Hall 5-time Grammy winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create the spectacular new musical Time magazine declares "The #1 show of the year!" The New York Times calls Movin' Out "a shimmering portrait of an American generation. These tornado driven dancers and rock musicians propel the audience into delirious ovations." Movin' Out brings 26 Billy Joel classics to electrifying new life as it tells the story of five life-long friends over two turbulent decades. It all adds up to one unforgettable Broadway musical.
The Graduate -- April 20-25, 2004; Mortensen Hall The Graduate. A cult novel. A landmark Hollywood film. A theatrical sensation in London and New York. Now, Broadway's smash-hit comedy is on its way here. This hilarious coming-of-age story about Benjamin Braddock, an innocent college grad who is seduced by an older woman, Mrs. Robinson, and then falls in love with her daughter, Elaine, has been called "a sensational triumph, rich full and funny." Kathleen Turner, Jerry Hall and Lorraine Bracco have all played the legendary Mrs. Robinson. Stay tuned to see who's coming to seduce you!
Cameron Mackintosh's production of Lionel Bart's Oliver! -- May 18-23, 2004; Mortensen Hall "Everyone's asking for more!" - Daily Mail, London Dickens' greatest characters (Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sykes, The Artful Dodger, and Bumble) spring to life once again and Oliver's magical spell has everyone "Asking For More." The unforgettable songs include: "Food, Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "Where is Love?," "You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two," "I'd Do Anything," "As Long As He Needs Me," and many more!
Starlight Express -- June 8-13, 2004; Mortensen Hall Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express is like nothing you've seen before! This high velocity musical fuses state of the art technology with electrifying songs, music, dazzling sets and costumes. Starlight Express is light years ahead of the rest - the guaranteed trip of a lifetime! The show features two hours of speed, spectacle, excitement and energy. The fastest show on Earth - it's out of this world!
Ticket Information - * Current subscribers will receive their renewal packages in the mail in early March. * If you're not currently a subscriber and are interested in a subscription, please call The Bushnell Box Office at 860-987-5900. In May, new subscription orders will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis after all renewing subscribers have been accommodated. * Individual tickets for Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hairspray go on sale to the public in early June. Individual tickets to the remaining Phoenix Broadway Series presentations will go on sale in August.
About The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts - The Bushnell is Connecticut's premier performing arts center, hosting more than 450 events yearly, including major Broadway tours, symphony orchestras, family presentations, local arts and community events. In November 2001, The Bushnell completed a $45 million expansion project that added a second, 908-seat theater to the existing historic structure. The new, state-of-the-art performance hall allows for expanded arts, entertainment and community offerings. The Bushnell's nationally-recognized arts-in-education program, PARTNERS (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools), is a cross-community educational effort serving 40 schools in 17 districts throughout the Greater Hartford area. The Bushnell opened in January 1930 and is a non-profit organization. For more information, call The Bushnell at (860) 987-6000, The Bushnell Box Office at (860) 987-5900 or visit our website at www.bushnell.org.