BILLY ELLIOT & More set for Shea's Performing Arts Center in 2012-13

Shea's Performing Arts Center has just announced their 2012-13 season. Celebrating 25 years of Broadway in Buffalo, they will kick off the season in September with BILLY ELLIOT. That will be followed by JEKYLL AND HYDE, the return of Irving Berlin’S WHITE CHRISTMAS in December, and the local debuts of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT and SISTER ACT. To finish off the season, THE BOOK OF MORMON will come to Shea’s for a limited one-week run starting in June 2013.

For special engagements, JERSEY BOYS will return for a three week run in May of 2013, Blue Man Group will run for three days in February, and the popular Neglia Ballet production of THE NUTCRACKER will return in November. Long-time producer, Albert Nocciolino, who brought Buffalo its first Broadway season in 1987, was quoted saying, “They've done nothing less than a spectacular job at turning Shea's into a showcase facility. The community has totally embraced it -- trusted us -- and here's the result.”

Here are the dates and shows for the Shea's 2012-13 season:

BILLY ELLIOT

September 25 - 30

Shea's hosts the Buffalo premiere of the musical BILLY ELLIOT, adapted from the 2000 film about a young boy from a struggling family who follows his dream to become a ballet dancer against all odds. The show went on to win 10 Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Choreography.

The powerful music and lyrics were done by Sir Elton John, a classic in his own right, and playwright Lee Hall. This show, unfortunately, closed on Broadway back in January, but with the opportunity to see it at Shea’s, it is a show not to be missed!

JEKYLL AND HYDE

October 30 - November 4

A pre-Broadway tour of JEKYLL AND HYDE, the popular 1997 musical based on the classic tale of a man with conflicting personalities, is making a stop in Buffalo and will be one of the two dozen cities or so visited before the show moves to New York for its planned Broadway revival.

One of the most exciting parts about this show arriving is that Buffalo is going to see it before it moves to Broadway. Set to star in the double role of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, American Idol finalist and Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis awakens new sides of the characters in this thrilling revival.

Irving Berlin’S WHITE CHRISTMAS

December 4 - 9

Irving Berlin’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the musical adaptation of the treasured 1954 film of the same name about a pair of Army buddies who put on a show in a Vermont barn and find their perfect female companions in the process, returns to Buffalo for the 2012-13 season!

The show was a big success here back in 2007, where joyful applause greeted the cast every show, and will definitely be equally as great this time around! Perfect for the holiday season.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT

February 19 - 24

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, adapted from the 1994 film of the same name, is about a fabulous group of drag queens on their wild road trip through the Australian outback, and features many of the disco-era favorites.

This spectacular show with over 500 dazzling costumes will bring glittering fun to the Buffalo theater-scene!

SISTER ACT

March 19 - 24

On March 19, Shea's begins a six-day run of SISTER ACT, another film-to-stage adaptation, this time of the 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg as a woman on the run who finds protection and satisfaction in a struggling convent.

This feel-good musical is a fantastic tribute to the power of friendship. With original music from Alan Menken, Sister Act is a reason for Buffalo to REJOICE!

THE BOOK OF MORMON

June 11 - 16

On June 11, Shea's welcomes the tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, the musical by SOUTH PARK creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker and AVENUE Q composer Robert Lopez, a show that is a loving satire of the Mormon Church, with plenty of catchy songs and outrageous moments, that has been collecting praise from audiences and critics alike.

Get ready, Buffalo. The winner of 9 2011 Tony Awards is coming to Shea’s for a limited one-week run. This is definitely going to be the highlight of the season and from previous knowledge, I know that the tickets are going to go quickly for this one!

Special engagements include MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH, AND I’M HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS from November 8 to 18; Neglia Ballet's annual production of THE NUTCRACKER on November 24 and 25; Blue Man Group from February 7 to 10; and a three-week return of JERSEY BOYS, the popular musical about the Four Seasons, from May 7 to 26, 2013.

This season is going to be fantastic! Season tickets are on sale now. For information, please visit www.sheas.org or 716-847-0850. Single show ticket sale dates will be announced eventually.

Photo Credit: Jim Bush