Mormons, Nuns, Nannies
A DJ, A Witch & A War Horse
Heading To Town
For 2012-2013 Broadway In Boston Season

The upcoming 2012-2013 Lexus Broadway In Boston Season will include eight theatrical productions spread between the Boston Opera House and Boston's venerable Colonial Theatre, now known as Citi Performing Arts Center Colonial Theatre. The season was unveiled at a special event held at The Opera House and hosted by Rich Jaffe, Vice President of Broadway In Boston.

The productions include Broadway's phenomenally successful "The Book Of Mormon" -- winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical -- and The National Theatre’s powerhouse epic drama, "War Horse" -- which received the 2011 Tony for Best Play and tells a remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship brought to life through the exceptional life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company.

Also on the season schedule is: "Sister Act," based on the popular film comedy of the same name and featuring original music by eight time Oscar winner Alan Menken; the Tony Award-winning Best Musical "Memphis," which had its origins at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly; the return of the Tony Award-winning "Mary Poppins;" a third visit from "Jersey Boys," telling the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons; and Broadway's biggest blockbuster, "Wicked," making its fourth stop in Boston in a "back by popular demand" return.

The long-standing tradition of the pre-Broadway tryout returns to the Colonial Theatre in June of 2013 with the World Premiere of "Tuck Everlasting." With a book by Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear, music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, "Tuck Everlasting" is based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt. Thanks to the collaboration between Broadway In Boston, Emerson College and the Citi Performing Arts Center, the Colonial Theatre will be marking 112 years of presenting Broadway productions with this new season.

Season tickets are now on sale. Tickets for individual shows will be on sale at a date yet to be announced. To order Season Tickets, call 866-523-7469 or visit www.BroadwayInBoston.com.

Jaffe provided several surprises for the more than 500 guests in attendance at the event. Kevin Massey from the company of "Memphis" took to the stage to sing "The Music Is My Soul" and "Memphis Lives In Me;" Rashidra Scott from Broadway's "Sister Act" (and a Berklee grad) sang "Fabulous, Baby!" and "Sister Act;" and in a crowd-pleasing moment, the War Horse itself came galloping onto the stage of the Opera House. Finn Caldwell, Associate Puppet Director of the National Theatre put the creature through it paces and then took a moment to give the audience the inside story on how the life-sized puppet works (thanks to three very talented actors).

The 2012-2013 Broadway In Boston season, in date order, includes:

"War Horse"
October 10 – 21, 2012
Boston Opera House
It's England, 1914. As World War One begins, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides of the battle before finding himself alone in no man’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, although still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. This power and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is currently playing to packed houses in London and New York. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride. Winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Play.

"Memphis"
December 11 – 23, 2012
Citi Performing Arts Center Colonial Theatre
From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot Broadway musical bursting with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a dynamic tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, "Memphis" is about a local radio DJ who wants to change the world, and a club singer who's ready for her big break. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, "Memphis" features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro ("I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change") and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.

"Jersey Boys"
January 30 – March 9, 2013
Citi Performing Arts Center Colonial Theatre
This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became The Four Seasons, one of the greatest successes in pop music history. More than 117,000 theatergoers cheered when "Jersey Boys" made its sell-out premiere at the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre and 84,000 more during its triumphant Winter 2010 return to the Colonial Theatre! Worldwide, more than 13 million people have seen "Jersey Boys". So once again, the show that makes critics and audiences cheer is “Working Its Way Back” to Boston.

"Sister Act"
January 22 – February 3, 2013
Boston Opera House
"Sister Act" is Broadway’s newest musical comedy smash. Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken ("Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," "Little Shop of Horrors"), "Sister Act" tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and has to hide out in the last place anyone would think to look -- a convent. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. .

"The Book of Mormon"
April 9-28, 2013
Boston Opera House
Nine 2011 Tony Awards say it’s the Best Musical of the Year. Vogue says, “It’s the funniest musical of all time.” And The New York Times adds, “It’s the best musical of this century.” It’s the Broadway phenomenon from "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and "Avenue Q" co-creator Robert Lopez. "The Daily Show’s" Jon Stewart calls it “A crowning achievement. So good, it makes me angry.” Note: contains explicit language.

The Disney and Cameron Mackintosh production of "Mary Poppins"
May 28 – June 2, 2013
Boston Opera House
"Mary Poppins" made its Boston premiere in February 2011. Now, everyone’s favorite nanny is flying back to town for a limited one week engagement. Featuring the classic story and unforgettable songs from one of Disney's most popular films, plus brand-new dance numbers and spectacular stage-craft, "Mary Poppins" is what the New York Daily News called “a roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza!”

Pre-Broadway World Premiere of "Tuck Everlasting"
June 2013
Citi Performing Arts Center Colonial Theatre
Good girl Winnie Foster’s world has been safely contained behind the picket fence that surrounds the house she shares with her mother and grandmother. Yearning to break free, Winnie runs deep into the woods where she discovers the Tuck family and the secret they’ve been keeping. That secret sets Winnie and the Tucks out on an adventure that will test what they believe and challenge them to truly be alive, now and forever. With a book by Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear, music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, "Tuck Everlasting" is based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt.

"Wicked"
August 7 – September 15, 2013
Boston Opera House
Long before that girl from Kansas arrived in Munchkinland, two other girls met 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 - new musical in a long time” (USA Today). Variety calls "Wicked" “a cultural phenomenon.” Every time it's played Boston it's broken box office records and sold out in record time. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, "Wicked" is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times).

Jaffe also announced that Broadway In Boston is welcoming Eastern Bank as its new official bank along with Jordan’s Furniture, it's official furniture and mattress store. In addition, Broadway In Boston welcomes back sponsors JetBlue Airways and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

He commented, “Boston is a world-class city and for the past 28 years Broadway In Boston has been proud to be part of the city’s cultural fabric. With one of Boston’s biggest and most exciting blockbuster seasons to date, we look forward to continuing to keep Boston’s Theatre District thriving as we expect more sold out performances next season than ever before.”