BEAUTIFUL, THE BODYGUARD, FINDING NEVERLAND & More Set for Broadway In New Orleans' 2016-17 Season

The East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2016-17 season was announced today. Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, the new season will commence at the historic Saenger Theatre in fall 2016.

The sensational season opens in September with a brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning Best Score, including "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss" and its title song. In October, THE ILLUSIONISTS - LIVE FROM BROADWAY is welcomed for its New Orleans debut. Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, the show has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing of the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on Earth.

Ahead of the Christmas season, Broadway's record-setting DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL will captivate audiences in the world of Whoville and remind all of the true meaning of the holiday season. Next up, the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS makes its Saenger Theatre debut as a season option, to share the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Breaking house records in cities across the country, come witness the legend of one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time - they wrote their own songs, invented their own sound and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30.

2017 kicks off with a four-week run of the third-longest running show in Broadway history, DISNEY'S THE LION KING. An adaptation of the animated film, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical tells the story of a young lion cub's coming of age. Premiering at the Saenger Theatre for the first time, this legendary show provides audiences with overarching messages of family and friendship. In the spring, BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL makes its New Orleans premiere. The inspiring Tony and Grammy Award-winning true story of King's remarkable rise to stardom chronicles her hit songwriting success, including "Some Kind of Wonderful," "You've Got a Friend" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Additionally, audiences will explore her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, as well as her journey to being one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

April welcomes the premiere of THE BODYGUARD, an award-winning musical based on the smash hit film, starring Grammy Award-nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox. The romantic thriller incorporates many irresistible classics, including "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," "So Emotional" and "I Will Always Love You." In May, audiences will experience FINDING NEVERLAND, Broadway's biggest new hit and the winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for Best Musical. The magic of Barrie's classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. The season concludes in June with the MAMMA MIA! Farewell Tour. Over 54 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, story and music that leaves everyone having the time of their lives with ABBA's timeless songs!

"We are thrilled to offer the best of Broadway for our upcoming season of Broadway in New Orleans," said David Skinner, general manager of Ace Theatrical Group, Inc., and the Saenger Theatre. "Our shows continue to attract sell-out audiences and we welcome another exciting season that offers a little something for everyone, including market debuts, family favorites, classics, revivals and new Broadway blockbusters."

2016 - 2017 East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans series shows include:

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

September 20 - 25, 2016

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE! A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, is coming to the Saenger Theatre. The beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning Best Score, including "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss" and the title song. THE SOUND OF MUSIC enjoyed extraordinary success as a live television production when "The Sound of Music Live!" aired on NBC in December 2013 and was seen by over 44 million people. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.

THE ILLUSIONISTS - LIVE FROM BROADWAY

October 25 - 30, 2016

Direct from Broadway, the world's best-selling magic show is coming to the Saenger Theatre. This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTSTM - LIVE FROM BROADWAYTM has shattered box office records around the world and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling, sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL

November 22 - 27, 2016

DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL is the record-setting Broadway holiday sensation which features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" from the original animated special. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and remind all of the true meaning of the holiday season. Don't miss what The New York Times calls "AN EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE! 100 times better than any bedside story."

JERSEY BOYS

December 13 - 18, 2016

More than 20 million people around the world have seen JERSEY BOYS. JERSEY BOYS is the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the true story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide-all before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," "Oh What a Night" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." The New York Times proclaims, "THE CROWD GOES WILD!" The JERSEY BOYS creative team comprises two-time Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff, book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, composer Bob Gaudio, lyricist Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROL KING MUSICAL

March 7 - 12, 2017

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROL KING MUSICAL tells the Tony and Grammy 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, she became 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 with hits including "Some Kind of Wonderful," "You've Got a Friend" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

THE BODYGUARD

April 4 - 9, 2017

THE BODYGUARD, an award-winning musical, is based on the smash hit film and will star Grammy Award-nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox! Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don't expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics, including "Queen of the Night," "So Emotional," "One Moment in Time," "Saving All My Love," "Run to You," "I Have Nothing," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and one of the biggest selling songs of all time, "I Will Always Love You."

FINDING NEVERLAND

May 9 - 14, 2017

Broadway's biggest new hit, FINDING NEVERLAND, is the winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for Best Musical! This breathtaking smash "captures the kid-at-heart" (TIME Magazine). Vogue cheers, "it's a must-see you'll remember for years to come!" Directed by visionary Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story of one of the world's most beloved characters, Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys' enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving the old world behind for Neverland, a place where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie's classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. FINDING NEVERLAND is "far and away the best musical of the year!" (NPR).

*The following productions are not included as part of the seven-show Season Subscription Package.

Season Subscribers have first access and can add each show to their Season Subscription upon renewal.

DISNEY'S THE LION KING

January 4 - 29, 2017

More than 80 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney's THE LION KING, and now you can too, when New Orleans' best-loved musical makes its premiere at the historic Saenger Theatre. Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event 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 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.

MAMMA MIA!

June 6 - 11, 2017

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!.

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES GO ON SALE MARCH 11 AT 11 A.M.

Season tickets for the 2016 - 2017 East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans series go on sale March 11, 2016, at 11 a.m. CST. Season tickets can be purchased by calling (800) 218-7469 or online at www.BroadwayInNewOrleans.com.

Subscribers can choose a six-show package without JERSEY BOYS, starting at $185, or a seven-show package including JERSEY BOYS, starting at $215. Both packages can add the two season options of Disney's THE LION KING and MAMMA MIA!. The final deadline for current Season Subscribers to renew and keep their same seats is April 15, 2016. On sale dates for individual shows will be announced in the coming months. For group pricing, please call (504) 287-0372.

Photo by Joan Marcus