SCHOOL OF ROCK, WAITRESS, & More Fill Broadway in Columbus Season, HAMILTON 2018-19

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and Broadway in Columbus (BIC) today announced the 2017-18 PNC Broadway in Columbus season. The five-show season, supported in part by PNC, features three productions never before seen in Columbus including School of Rock, Waitress, and An American in Paris. The 2017-18 season also includes the 2015 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodger's & Hammerstein's The King and I and Chicago starring Ohio State football superstar Eddie George.

The national tour of the Broadway musical Hamilton will make its Columbus premiere as part of the 2018-19 season. The best way to guarantee tickets to Hamilton is to purchase a season subscription for the 2017-18 season. Subscribers who renew their subscription for the 2018-19 season will be able to guarantee their tickets to Hamilton before tickets become available to the general public. Information regarding Hamilton dates will be announced at a later time.

In addition to the five-show season package, there will be three 2017-18 season add-on options-the return of the spectacular new production of The Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.

Subscriptions for the 2017-18 PNC Broadway in Columbus season go on sale today and include:

SCHOOL OF ROCK

October 10-15, 2017

Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

School of Rock is a New York Times Critics' Pick and "An inspiring jolt of energy, joy, and mad skillz!" (Entertainment Weekly). Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher, who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie, and musical theatre's first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage. Vanity Fair raves, "Fists of all ages shall be pumping!"

WAITRESS

November 7-12, 2017

Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

Brought to life by a groundbreaking, all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song"), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland). Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. Don't miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

CHICAGO starring Eddie George

February 6-11, 2018

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, thousands of standing ovations, and is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Chicago has everything that makes Broadway great-a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. The production holds an added punch of hometown pride as former NFL legend, OSU superstar, and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George makes his Columbus stage debut as the fast-talking lawyer Billy Flynn.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

March 6-11, 2018

Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

An American in Paris is the new Tony Award®-winning musical about an American soldier, a

mysterious French girl, and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Acclaimed director/choreographer and 2015 Tony Award® winner Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in the show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2015 season!

Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I

April 24-29, 2018

Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

Two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of this "breathtaking and exquisite"

(The New York Times) musical directed by Bartlett Sher. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein's finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as "Getting to Know You," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance," and "Something Wonderful."

Subscriptions range from $160-$565 per person and are on sale now at www.BroadwayInColumbus.com, by phone at (800) 294-1892 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm), or in person at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.). CAPA Ticket Center hours are Mondays-Fridays9am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Five-Installment, Interest-Free Payment Plan Available

Subscriptions purchased by May 5, 2017, are eligible for a five-installment, interest-free payment plan. The first installment is charged the day the subscription is purchased with the next four installments being automatically charged to the same credit card on June 7, July 7, August 7, and September 7.

In addition, the 2017-18 PNC Broadway in Columbus season will include three season add-on productions. The additional shows are not included in the 2017-18 subscription, but subscribers are given the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to each going on sale to the general public.

2017-18 season add-ons include:

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL

December 16 & 17, 2017

Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)

The beloved TV classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and of course, Rudolph as they come to life in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. It's an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Don't miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

January 3-14, 2018

Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera returns to Columbus as part of a brand new North American tour. Hailed by critics as "bigger and better than ever before," this production boasts many exciting special effects including the show's legendary chandelier, new scenic and lighting designs, new staging, and new choreography. The beloved story and thrilling score will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this Phantom one of the largest productions now on tour.

THE BOOK OF MORMON

May 22-27, 2018

Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)

The New York Times calls it "the best musical of the century." The Washington Post says, "It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals." Entertainment Weekly says, "Grade A: the funniest musical of all time." Jimmy Fallon of "The Tonight Show" calls it "Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal." It's The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing room only productions in Australia, London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.