WAITRESS, BRIGHT STAR, LOVE NEVER DIES, and Many More Join HAMILTON for Blumenthal's PNC Broadway Lights 2017-18 Season

With Hamilton anchoring the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's 25th Anniversary season, Broadway fans will experience an extraordinary lineup in 2017-18, including nine new shows on the PNC Broadway Lights season plus the returns of Broadway favorites including LES MISERABLES, The Phantom of the Opera, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, The Book of Mormon, and Disney's The Lion King.

"We're celebrating our first 25 years by welcoming to Charlotte many of the best musicals in the history of Broadway," said Blumenthal President and CEO Tom Gabbard. "We are thrilled Hamilton will anchor our 25th Anniversary year. Eight other new titles are on the PNC Broadway Lights season plus returns of perennial favorites. For the first time in the same season we will have the most recent winners of the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Revival of a Musical and Best New Play."

Eight incredible productions are part of the 2017-2018 PNC Broadway Lights package, including the electrifying show that takes you behind the music and inside the real story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, On Your Feet!; the New York Times Critics' Pick and high-octane smash, School of Rock; the new irresistible hit featuring original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles,Waitress; the 10-time Tony® nominated hilarious smash hit, Something Rotten!; the five-time Tony® nominated new Broadway musical from Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star; the 2016 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical Revival, The Color Purple; the ultimate love story continues with Love Never Dies, the spellbinding sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera; and Hamilton.

Season ticketholders looking for maximum value can opt for a 9-show package.

As the 9th show option, The Humans, a new American classic that won the 2016 Tony Award® for Best Play is an uproarious, hopeful, and heartbreaking story that takes place over the course of a family dinner on Thanksgiving.

In addition to the season shows, Blumenthal will present a knockout lineup of Broadway Extras, including the Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISERABLES, Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera and a fan favorite in Charlotte, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Beautiful - The Carole King Musical. Plus, back by popular demand, the nine-time Tony Award® winner, including Best Musical, The Book of Mormon and the awe-inspiring visual artistry alive on stage, Disney's The Lion King, winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical.

With almost 12,000 PNC Broadway Lights season ticketholders and package buyers to renew, Blumenthal is changing its normal season ticket sale process, and will offer current season ticket holders and package holders the opportunity to renew or upgrade to season tickets before accepting season ticket orders from new buyers.

Renewals are set to begin on March 10 and are expected to continue through mid-April.

The on-sale date for season tickets for new buyers will be later in April. To receive new buyer notifications of the on-sale date, call 704-335-1010 or visit BlumenthalArts.org/Broadway and provide contact information.

PNC Broadway Lights Season tickets continue to be Charlotte's best entertainment value. Season buyers have guaranteed renewable seats, an especially valuable perk this year due to the incredible demand for Hamilton seats. In addition, season ticket buyers enjoy the best seats at the best price, as they lock in their seats before single tickets go on sale and prices rise. Season buyers also can choose an extended payment plan that allows them to pay for their season tickets in up to ten installments.

Season tickets holders will also enjoy the right to swap up to four of their season shows for anything else coming next season and the opportunity to buy tickets to additional Broadway shows and special attractions before sales open to the public. (Swapping for additional tickets to Hamilton is not permitted. Season Ticket holders will be able to purchase a limited number of additional tickets for Hamilton during an exclusive time period later in the year.)

For more information:

- Visit BlumenthalArts.org/Broadway

- Call 704-335-1010

- Visit the Belk Theater box office, 130 N. Tryon St., Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Blumenthal also is rolling out its Ticket Protect program this year. For about half of what one show in a season package costs, subscribers can protect their investment in all nine shows with Ticket Protect. This provides a refund should you be unable to attend a show(s) due to approved reasons like dangerous weather conditions, illness, accidents and more. Buyers can include Ticket Protect in their extended payment plan.

2017-2018 PNC BROADWAY LIGHTS

ON YOUR FEET! (Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 2017 - Ovens Auditorium)

SCHOOL OF ROCK (Jan. 9-14, 2018 - Ovens Auditorium)

WAITRESS (March 13-18, 2018 - Belk Theater)

SOMETHING ROTTEN! (May 8-13, 2018 - Belk Theater)

BRIGHT STAR (June 26-July 1, 2018 - Belk Theater)

THE COLOR PURPLE (July 10-15, 2018 - Belk Theater)

LOVE NEVER DIES: The Phantom Returns (Sept. 11-16, 2018 - Ovens Auditorium)

HAMILTON (Oct. 10-Nov. 4, 2018 - Belk Theater)

Include THE HUMANS (May 1- 6, 2018 - Knight Theater) for a 9-show package!

BROADWAY EXTRAS

LES MISERABLES (Dec. 13-17, 2017-Ovens Auditorium)

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Jan. 17-28, 2018 - Belk Theater)

BEAUTIFUL - THE Carole King MUSICAL (April 17-22, 2018 - Ovens Auditorium)

THE BOOK OF MORMON (July 24-29, 2018 - Belk Theater)

DISNEY'S THE LION KING (Aug. 22-Sept. 9, 2018 - Belk Theater)

ON YOUR FEET! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan
Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 2017 - Ovens Auditorium

"The very air in the room seems to vibrate in this undeniably crowd-pleasing musical!"- The New York Times

From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to Miami and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. From international superstardom to life-threatening tragedy, ON YOUR FEET! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet.

Directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and an original book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), ON YOUR FEET! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century - and one of the most inspiring stories in music history.

SCHOOL OF ROCK
Jan. 9-14, 2018 - Ovens Auditorium

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 theater's first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage. Vanity Fair raves, "FISTS OF ALL AGES SHALL BE PUMPING!"

WAITRESS
March 13-18, 2018 - Belk Theater

"THE WOMEN OF WAITRESS ARE CHANGING BROADWAY!" (Time Magazine).

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 6-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). "It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune.

Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker, Jenna 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. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

"WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!" says Entertainment Weekly and "a monumental contribution to Broadway!" according to Marie Claire. Don't miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

SOMETHING ROTTEN!
May 8-13, 2018 - Belk Theater

With 10 Tony® nominations including Best Musical, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a "big, fat hit!" (New York Post). Set in the '90s - the 1590s - this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the "rock star" Shakespeare keeps getting all the hits. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL! With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is "The Producers + Spamalot + The Book of Mormon. Squared!" (New York Magazine).

BRIGHT STAR
June 26-July 1, 2018 - Belk Theater

2016 OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD WINNING & 2016 TONY AWARD NOMINATED BEST MUSICAL

"A gorgeous anthem to optimism!" - Variety

Grammy, Emmy and Academy-award winning Steve Martin and Grammy award-winning Edie Brickell comes BRIGHT STAR, the five-time Tony Nominated new Broadway musical that the New York Times called "a shining achievement." Directed by Tony winner Walter Bobbie and inspired by a real event, this original musical tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and '40s. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances. BRIGHT STAR, as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful, is "Broadway's most beautiful show" (WABC).

THE COLOR PURPLE
July 10-15, 2018 - Belk Theater

THE COLOR PURPLE is the 2016 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical Revival! Hailed as "a direct hit to the heart" (The Hollywood Reporter), this joyous American classic has conquered Broadway in an all-new "ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold" (The New York Times) directed by Tony winner John Doyle.

With a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.

Don't miss this stunning re-imagining of an epic story about a young woman's journey to love and triumph in the American South. It's the musical sensation that New York Magazine calls "one of the greatest revivals ever." Experience the exhilarating power of this Tony-winning triumph!

LOVE NEVER DIES: The Phantom Returns
Sept. 11-16, 2018 - Ovens Auditorium

This story of boundless love, full of passion and drama, follows Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, one of the most successful musicals of all time, which has now been seen by more than 130 million people worldwide and is the winner of over 50 international awards.

The ultimate love story continues in LOVE NEVER DIES, Andrew Lloyd Webber's spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.

The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. In this new, electrically charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daaé.

HAMILTON
Oct. 10-Nov. 4, 2018 - Belk Theater

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow's biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation's first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.

THE HUMANS
May 1- 6, 2018 - Knight Theater (9th show option)

Stephen Karam's The Humans is an uproarious, hopeful, and heartbreaking play that takes place over the course of a family dinner on Thanksgiving. Breaking with tradition, Erik Blake has brought his Pennsylvania family to celebrate and give thanks at his daughter's apartment in Lower Manhattan. As darkness falls outside the ramshackle pre-war duplex and eerie things start to go bump in the night, the Blake clan's deepest fears and greatest follies are laid bare. Our modern age of anxiety is keenly observed, with humor and compassion, in this new American classic that won the 2016 Tony Award® for Best Play.

EXTRAS

LES MISERABLES
Dec. 13-17, 2017-Ovens Auditorium

Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISERABLES, direct from an acclaimed two-and-a-half-year return to Broadway. With its glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, this breathtaking new production has left both audiences and critics awestruck, cheering "Les Miz is born again!" (NY1).

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, LES MISERABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption - a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Featuring the thrilling score and beloved songs "I Dreamed A Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "One Day More," and many more, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Seen by more than 70 million people in 44 countries and in 22 languages around the globe, LES MISERABLES is still the world's most popular musical, breaking box office records everywhere in its 32nd year.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Jan. 17-28, 2018 - Belk Theater

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will return to Charlotte as part of a brand new North American Tour. Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is "bigger and better than ever before" and features a brilliant new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award®-winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and new staging by director Laurence Connor. The production, overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh, boasts many exciting special effects including the show's legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score - with songs like "Music of the Night," "All I Ask Of You," and "Masquerade" - will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this PHANTOM one of the largest productions now on tour.

BEAUTIFUL - THE Carole King MUSICAL
April 17-22, 2018 - Ovens Auditorium

Beautiful-The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King's remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Featuring a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including "I Feel The Earth Move," "One Fine Day," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "You've Got A Friend" and the title song, Beautiful has a book by and Tony® Award-nominee and Academy® Award-nominated writer Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni, choreography by Josh Prince, and took home two 2014 Tony® Awards and a 2015 Grammy® Award.

THE BOOK OF MORMON
July 24-29, 2018 - Belk Theater

The New York Times calls it "the best musical of this century." The Washington Post says, "It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals." And 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.

DISNEY'S THE LION KING
Aug. 22-Sept. 9, 2018 - Belk Theater

Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney's The Lion King, making its triumphant return to Belk Theater!

More than 90 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular - one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.

Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. The Lion King also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway's most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

There is simply nothing else like The Lion King.