CAPA's 2011-12 Broadway Season Announced; Features BILLY ELLIOT, SHREK

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and Broadway in Columbus (BIC) today announced a six-show, seven-week Broadway season for 2011-12. Subscriptions for the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Series go on sale today, and features three Columbus premieres-Billy Elliot, Shrek, and Memphis.

The 2011-12 Fifth Third Bank Broadway Series subscription is a five-show package and includes:

Billy Elliot THE MUSICAL
October 19-30, 2011
Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)
Thrilling audiences worldwide and winning ten 2009 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, "The best show you will ever see" (New York Post) is coming to Columbus! Billy Elliot the Musical is a joyous celebration of one young boy's triumph against the odds. Called "the most inspiring show I've seen in years" by Ben Brantley of The New York Times, the story follows Billy's journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring into a ballet class, discovering his dream to dance. Billy Elliot is brought to life by the Tony-winning creative team of director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling, and writer Lee Hall along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls "His best score yet!" Billy Elliot will enchant the dreamer in all of us. www.BillyElliotTheMusical.com

SHREK
January 10-15, 2012
Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)
SHREK THE MUSICAL, based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to life on stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre-not a handsome prince-shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a villain with a "short" temper, a cookie with an attitude, and more than a dozen other fairytale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek. Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing, and breathtaking scenery, WWOR-TV proclaims Shrek the Musical, "Far, far and away the funniest new musical on Broadway!" Shrek the Musical is part romance, part twisted fairy tale, and all irreverent fun for everyone! www.ShrekTheMusical.com

Blue Man Group
February 7-12, 2012
Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)
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." 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. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else, guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget. www.BlueMan.com

WEST SIDE STORY
April 17-22, 2012
Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)
More than 50 years ago, one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. West Side Story remains as powerful, poignant, and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty," and "Somewhere." www.WestSideStory.com

MEMPHIS
May 29-June 3, 2012
Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.)
From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs, and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves filled with laughter, soaring emotion, and roof-raising rock 'n' roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, MEMPHIS features a Tony®-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony®-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony® nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). Get ready to experience Broadway's most exciting new destination, what AP calls "The very essence of what a Broadway musical should be." www.MemphistheMusical.com

Special add-on for the 2011-12 season:

MAMMA MIA!
December 13-18, 2011
Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.)
Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it's your turn to have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA's greatest hits, including "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Super Trouper," "Take A Chance on Me," and "The Winner Takes It All," with an enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship. Whether it's your first visit or your fourteenth, see the show that has the whole world coming back for more, because every time feels like the first time at Mamma Mia! www.mamma-mia.com

Tickets for Mamma Mia! will be sold individually, with season subscribers being given the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public.

Subscriptions range from $132-$463 per person and go on sale today. They can be purchased by phone at (800) 294-1892, online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com, or in person at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.).

###

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. CAPA also appreciates the support of the Abigail Simpson, Grace K. and Robert L. Rohe, and Martha G. Staub Funds of the Columbus Foundation, assisting donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all of its citizens, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city's artists and arts organizations since 1973.

About CAPA
Owner/operator of downtown Columbus' magnificent, historic theatres (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre) and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre, Valentine Theatre (Toledo, OH), and Shubert Theater (New Haven, CT), CAPA is a not-for-profit, award-winning presenter of national and international performing arts and entertainment now celebrating 40 years of service. For more information, visit www.capa.com.

About Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO and Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette, Million Dollar Quartet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jerusalem, Memphis, La Cage Aux Folles, the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet and the touring production of Dreamworks' Madagascar Live! For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.