NEWSIES, PIPPIN, BEAUTIFUL and More Set for Shea's 2015-16 Broadway Season

Shea's Performing Arts Center and Broadway Partner/Producer Albert Nocciolino present the M&T Bank 2015-16 Broadway Series, featuring multiple Tony-Award winning musicals and hits on Broadway.

President of Shea's Anthony Conte said, "On behalf of Shea's Board and staff, I would like to thank our subscribers, donors, volunteers, sponsors, and the entire Buffalo-Niagara community for the tremendous support given Shea's over the years. This past season was a record-breaking season for us with 13,741 season tickets sold. We look forward to another great season in 2015-16."

Co-Presenter of Broadway productions at Shea's for 28 years and Producer Albert Nocciolino expressed his excitement about the evolution and success over the years and the upcoming 2015-16 Broadway Season. "I'm thrilled with the success we have seen at Shea's with the growth of our subscription base and the reputation that Shea's has in the touring Broadway community. We're very appreciative for the support of our subscribers over the years in helping us become one of the top one-week subscription markets in the country. We look forward to another spectacular Broadway Season and continuing to provide an exceptional entertainment experience," he said.

This is the 16th season with M&T Bank as the title sponsor of the Shea's Broadway Series. "We couldn't be happier in our partnership with Shea's, bringing these outstanding Broadway performances to Western New York and Southern Ontario audiences for all these years," said Shelley C. Drake, President, The M&T Charitable Foundation. "Shea's has been a key factor in attracting people to downtown Buffalo through good times and tough times. Now that downtown is again enjoying growth, Shea's will continue to be its anchor on Main Street."

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NEWSIES September 29 - October 4, 2015

They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines...Direct from Broadway comes NEWSIES, the smash-hit, crowd-pleasing new musical from Disney. Winner of the 2012 Tony Awards® for Best Score and Best Choreography, NEWSIES has audiences and critics alike calling it "A MUSICAL WORTH SINGING ABOUT!" (The New York Times) Filled with one heart-pounding number after another, it's a high-energy explosion of song and dance you just don't want to miss. Now is the time to seize the day with NEWSIES!

MATILDA November 3 - 8, 2015

Winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards®, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, MATILDA continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages on Broadway and in London's West End. The Wall Street Journal says, "The makers of MATILDA have done the impossible - triumphantly! It is smart, sweet, zany and stupendous fun."

ANNIE December 8 - 13, 2015

Leapin' Lizards! The world's best-loved musical returns in time-honored form. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original. Featuring book and score by Tony Award®-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE includes such unforgettable songs as "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street," "I Don't Need Anything But You," plus the eternal anthem of optimism, "Tomorrow." "Overflowing! Big, warm-hearted and funny!" - New York Post

PIPPIN January 26 - 31, 2016

PIPPIN is Broadway's high-flying, death-defying hit musical! Full of extraordinary acrobatics, wondrous magical feats and soaring songs from the composer of Wicked, PIPPIN will lift you up and leave you smiling. This unforgettable new production is the winner of four 2013 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival. Hailed as "an eye-popping, jaw-dropping extravaganza" (NY1), it's unlike anything Broadway has ever seen! Come experience PIPPIN, one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Direct from an acclaimed run at Boston's American Repertory Theater, this captivating new production is directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus (Hair and The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess). It features sizzling choreography in the style of Bob Fosse and breathtaking acrobatics by Les 7 Doigts de la Main, the creative force behind the nationwide sensation Traces.

BEAUTIFUL - The Carole King Musical March 15 - 20, 2016

Tells the Tony Award-winning 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.

DIRTY DANCING May 3 - 8, 2016

DIRTY DANCING - THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE is a record-breaking live theatre sensation, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. Featuring the hit songs, "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby," "Do You Love Me?" and the heart-stopping "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." You'll have the time of your life!

2015-16 Special Engagements:

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS BY CHIP DAVIS December 19, 2015

The Ultimate Holiday Tradition! MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis has been America's favorite holiday tradition for the past 30 years! Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. Their holiday CDs have become synonymous with Christmas and continue to occupy top spots on Billboards's Seasonal Charts every year!

BLUE MAN GROUP February 12 - 14, 2016

Experience the Phenomenon. BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as "One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged." E! Entertainment News exclaims, "BLUE MAN GROUP is what every live performance aspires to be." The Baltimore Sun raves, "Blue Man Group packs a wallop. It's a big, loud, funny, silly, visually arresting production!"

Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that BLUE MAN GROUP is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, BLUE MAN GROUP is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. BLUE MAN GROUP is now on the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else; guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget.

THE WIZARD OF OZ April 5 - 10, 2016

This new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this production contains the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts' desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for the whole family.

Additional special engagements will be announced at a later date.

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SEASON TICKETS TO THE M&T BANK 2015-16 BROADWAY SERIES ARE ON SALE NOW. To order, call (716) 847-0850, go to www.sheas.org or to the Shea's Ticket Office, 650 Main Street. There are many season ticket holder benefits including priority seating, exchange privileges, convenient payment plans, parking plan (first-come, first-serve basis) and first opportunity to purchase tickets to the Broadway Series shows and Special Engagements. To book a group (15+), call 716-829-1154. Upcoming single ticket on sale dates will be posted to www.sheas.org when that information becomes available.

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