Broadway Across America / Boston
Announces 2008 - 2009 Season

Gershwin, Connick, Frost, Nixon,
A New Awakening and A Village In The Mist
All Part of Upcoming Season

Amidst a party setting of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and live performances, Broadway Across America / Boston's 2008-2009 Season was unveiled to the press and special guests last night at The Colonial Theatre.

Company President Drew Murphy took to the stage to introduce the line-up, which will include six splashy musical productions and two highly acclaimed dramas. He commented, “World premieres, Broadway smash hits, memorable plays, screen sensations on stage, and cherished theater favorites are what audiences can look forward to next season at The Colonial Theatre and The Opera House, two of New England's premiere theatrical venues.”

Headlining the upcoming season are World Premiere pre-Broadway engagements  of two musicals:  Harry Connick, Jr. in Gershwin's "Nice Work If You Can Get It," a new musical directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall; and the much talked about, re-imagined production of  Lerner and Loewe’s musical fable, "Brigadoon," directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford.   

Also on the bill: the groundbreaking Broadway musical "Spring Awakening," winner of eight Tony Awards in 2007; "A Bronx Tale," starring Academy Award nominee and playwright Chazz Palminteri, fresh from a successful run on Broadway; the Tony Award nominated "Frost/Nixon," starring award-winning actor Stacy Keach;  the East Coast premiere of "Dirty Dancing -  The Classic Story On Stage," one of the hottest ticket in London’s West End; "Legally Blonde The Musical;" and the original singular sensation, "A Chorus Line."

Guests were treated to a special pre-recorded audio greeting from Harry Connick, Jr., who introduced the live appearances of Kathleen Marshall and writer Joe DiPietro who took to the stage to speak at length about their new production of "Nice Work If You Can Get It."

There were also special musical numbers by cast members from "A Chorus Line," "Legally Blonde" and "Dirty Dancing."  Additionally, "Brigadoon's" Rob Ashford introduced the men's chorus from his new show who presented an athletic rendition of "I'll Go Home With Bonnie Jean." 

Lexus Boston Area Dealers will continue as the official title sponsor of the Broadway Across America - Boston 2008-2009 Series. Murphy also acknowledged the ongoing support of The Boston Phoenix, a partner in Broadway Across America's Student Rush Program, and the Marilyn Rodman Theater for Kids program, which invites young at-risk audiences to enjoy theater at no cost.  As Murphy noted, the Rodman program allowed 2800 students to see a performance of "Mamma Mia" this past season.

The 2008-2009 Season includes, in date order:

"A Chorus Line"
September 11 – October 5, 2008
The Opera House
In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is underway. For 17 dancers, this emotional audition is the chance of a lifetime and everything they've worked for -  the chance to dance.  Winner of nine Tony Awards (including “Best Musical”) and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation returns to tell its story to an entirely new generation of audiences.

"Brigadoon" -- World Premiere Pre-Broadway Engagement
October 14 – November 9, 2008
The Colonial Theatre
As two Americans traveling in Scotland come upon a mysterious village that appears in the mist for just one day every 100 years, a Broadway classic comes to new life.  At left, Tony Award winner Rob Ashford ("Thoroughly Modern Millie") directs and choreographs this powerfully danced, boldly re-imagined production, which features a revised book by Tony Award winner John Guare ("Six Degrees of Separation").  The score includes such numbers as "Almost Like Being In Love, "Heather On The Hill" and "There But For You Go I."

"Legally Blond: The Musical"
Oct. 28 – Nov. 9, 2008
The Opera House
The hilarious MGM film is now a hit Broadway musical.  "Legally Blonde" follows the story of sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who won't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets off to go where no Delta Nu has gone before -- Harvard Law School. Along the way, she proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

Harry Connick, Jr. in
"Nice Work If You Can Get It" - A New Gershwin Musical
Dec. 16, 2008 – Jan. 11, 2009
The Colonial Theatre
Harry Connick Jr. stars as a Long Island playboy in this new musical filled with bootleggers, golddiggers and some of the most beloved songs from the Gershwin catalog.  Making its world premiere at The Colonial, the production is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winning Kathleen Marshall with a new book by Joe DiPietro ("I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," "All Shook Up").  (Local theater fans may recall that a version of this show, entitled "They All Laughed" and loosely based on "Oh, Kay!," played the Goodspeed Opera House in 2001.)

"Frost/Nixon" Starring Stacy Keach
Jan. 27 – Feb. 8, 2009
The Colonial Theatre
"Frost/Nixon" tackles the question: How did David Frost, a legendary British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former President Richard Nixon?  Award-winning actor Stacy Keach leads a cast of 10 in this fast-paced Tony Award nominated play which shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two men squaring off for one of the most monumental television interviews of all time.  Directed by Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage,  "Frost/Nixon" is written by Peter Morgan, author of “The Queen,” “The Last King of Scotland,” “The Other Boleyn Girl” and HBO’s “Longford.”

"Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage"
February 7 – March 15, 2009
The Opera House
With unforgettable music and a story that touched the hearts of a generation, the 1987 movie seen by millions is now a record-breaking stage show. "Dirty Dancing" is the timeless story of first love during a family summer vacation. This highly anticipated show features the hit songs from the best-selling movie soundtrack including; “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life,” “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby” and “Do You Love Me?”   'Cuz nobody puts Baby in the corner.

"A Bronx Tale" Starring Chazz Palminteri
March 31 – April 11, 2009
The Colonial Theatre
Academy Award nominated actor Chazz Palminteri comes to The Colonial fresh from a successful run on Broadway in his one-man show, "A Bronx Tale." Written by Palminteri, the play vividly depicts a young boy's rough childhood in the 1960s-era Bronx and the unforgettable people he encountered. A classic coming-of-age story about reaching your true potential and trusting your heart, "A Bronx Tale" is directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks.

"Spring Awakening" - Winner of 8 Tony Awards in 2007
April 28 – May 24
The Colonial Theatre
"Spring Awakening" is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that awakened Broadway like no musical in years.  Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score, the critically acclaimed "Spring Awakening" (based on the 1891 German play of the same name) celebrates the  journey from youth to adulthood with power, poignancy and passion. Music is by Duncan Sheik with book and lyrics from Steven Sater. The cast album also received a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. As the story deals with mature themes, sexual situations and contains strong language, audiences and families are encouraged to learn more about this dynamic production at www.springawakening.com. A Parent’s Guide is available at parents.springawakening.com/
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Series Tickets are now on sale for the (6) show series of musicals. "A Bronx Tale" and "Frost/Nixon" are considered special selections and are currently available only with the purchase of Season Tickets.   For information, call 866-523-7469 or visit broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Tickets for individual attractions will go on sale at a date to be announced. And as in past years, it is expected that more shows will be added to the line-up in the months ahead.

Production Photo Credits:
"A Chorus Line" - Paul Kolnick
"A Bronx Tale" - Joan Marcus
"Dirty Dancing" - David Scheinmann
"Legally Blonde" - Joan Marcus
"Spring Awakening" - Doug Hamilton

-- R. J. Donovan / OnStage Boston