WICKED, LION KING and More Announced for Philly's Kimmel Center 2006 Season

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts today announced details of the 2005-06 Kimmel Center Presents Broadway at the Academy series. Four spectacular family musicals, including two of Broadway's biggest smash hits, will highlight the 2005-2006 season.

The new 2005-06 Broadway at the Academy season will include: DOCTOR DOLITTLE (Sept. 21 - 25, 2005); ANNIE (November 22 - 27, 2005); WICKED (limited engagement begins March 22, 2006; subscribers' week March 22 - 26) and THE LION KING (limited engagement begins June 8, 2006; subscribers' week June 13 - 18).

Subscription packages are on sale now by calling 215-893-1955, or visiting www.kimmelcenter.org. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.

"Our new season is very much geared toward families," said Kimmel Center, Inc. President and CEO Janice Price. "We are ecstatic to be welcoming two huge Broadway shows, a brand new touring musical, and a classic favorite to the Academy stage. Philadelphia theater audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy the local premieres of some of the biggest and brightest touring productions in recent years."

The eagerly awaited Philadelphia premiere of THE LION KING will arrive at the Academy of Music for a multi-week engagement in the summer of 2006. WICKED, currently embarking on its much-anticipated national tour, will also make its Philadelphia premiere at the Academy. A smash hit on Broadway when it opened in 2003, WICKED continues to be the top-grossing show on Broadway.

"Bringing these outstanding shows to Philadelphia allows us to continue to provide the highest caliber of entertainment for all of our patrons and for the entire arts community," said Kimmel Center, Inc. Director of Theatrical Presentations Jordan Fiksenbaum. "In building our third Broadway season, we have successfully contributed to our mission at Kimmel Center, Inc. We are extremely proud and excited to offer shows of this magnitude to theater fans throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area."

Now in its eighth sold-out year in New York at the New Amsterdam Theatre, THE LION KING is the winner of six Tony® Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, also created the hundreds of unique masks and puppets for THE LION KING. The award-winning score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with three new songs written by John and Rice and additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is a spellbinding new musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Directed by 2003 Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, WICKED received 14 major theater awards including three Tonys and became last years biggest hit on Broadway. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of the remarkable odyssey of how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Straight from the horse's mouth, the first American tour of DOCTOR DOLITTLE will make its Philadelphia premiere this fall. An extraordinary new musical based on Leslie Bricusse's 1967 Oscar-winning movie, this awe-inspiring production features a book, music and lyrics written by Bricusse. A fun-filled family musical, the show's charming and witty score features the Academy Award-winning song "Talk to the Animals."

Stunning special effects create the fantastic world of renowned veterinarian Doctor John Dolittle, whose ability to "talk to the animals" takes audiences on one extraordinary adventure after another. Michael Curry's animal designs are comprised of different styles of puppetry, including actors playing fully realized animals, hand puppets, marionettes and enormous flying animals. This whimsical tale first wowed audiences in the critically acclaimed 1967 movie starring Rex Harrison. Its dynamic score and remarkable special effects earned it an Oscar for Best Song and Best Special Effects, and an impressive eight Academy Award nominations.

The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, coming to the Academy of Music for the first time ever. ANNIE gives a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical favorite about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores including "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and the ever-optimistic "Tomorrow," ANNIE is a delightful theatrical experience for audiences of all ages and continues to be one of the most popular and successful family musicals of all time. This all-new production will feature a brand new song, "Why Should I Change A Thing?," by Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse.

Subscribers are offered a variety of exclusive privileges including the first opportunity to receive the best seats in the house and the option to renew these seats every year. In addition, the series' flexible ticket exchange program allows subscribers to exchange their tickets for another performance of the same show. Subscribers are also entitled to discounts of up to 30% to 40% for both students and senior citizens for select shows. Open captioning will be offered to subscribers for all Wednesday evening performances. Returning by popular demand will be the 'Broadway Briefs' program, where subscribers are invited to stay after a designated performance and enjoy a question-and-answer session with members of a show's cast, crew and other staff members. Subscribers will also be offered discounts for a non-subscription additional show, EVITA, coming to the Academy this summer, June 21 - 26.

The Broadway at the Academy Kids Club allows young subscribers additional discounts and seat selection privileges for select performances. Young theater-goers will also receive a free Broadway Kids Club t-shirt, certificate, and invitations to special events such as themed dinners, cast meet and greets, and other exciting offers.

Subscription ticket prices for the 2005-2006 season range from $84 to $366.50. Other special subscriber benefits will include: discounted parking privileges, a special 50/50 payment plan; a Kimmel Card entitling ticket holders to discounts at more than 50 restaurants & shops throughout Center City, and discount offers to additional Broadway at the Academy and Kimmel Center Presents productions. To order tickets or for more information on subscription packages call 215-893-1955 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway. Groups of 20 or more will receive additional discounts by calling 215-790-5883.

All performances of 2005-2006 Kimmel Center Presents Broadway at the Academy are supported by SEPTA, the Commuter's Choice and the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Broadway at the Academy.

Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music together serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations including: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Kimmel Center, Inc.'s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway at the Academy series of performances.