Stars Head to NOLA as Broadway @ NOCCA Kicks Off 2016-17 Season Tonight

In the four seasons since the Broadway in New Orleans series first launched, Broadway and Television's brightest lights have blazed a path to the Big Easy each season thanks to Producing Artistic Director Mark Cortale and Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky.

In this, the series' fifth season in New Orleans, the star-powered tradition continues with Judy Kuhn, Tony-nominated star of "Fun Home" and Broadway's original Cosette in "LES MISERABLES" and the voice of Disney's "Pocahontas" tonight, October 6, at 7:30 PM.

She is followed by Gavin Creel, Olivier Award Winning star of She Loves Me and The Book of Mormon, on December 15 at 7:30 PM, and Adam Pascal, the original Roger in the Broadway blockbuster "Rent," as well as the London production, and the film version, on January 14, 2017 at 8:00 PM.

All shows will be presented at NOCCA and will feature series Sirius XM Radio host Seth Rudetsky at the piano. For tickets please visit www.broadwaynola.com or call 800-838-3006. Broadway @ NOCCA also provides audiences the opportunity to purchase a Season Pass and enjoy a savings of 20% off on all three shows.

In addition to their performances, Judy Kuhn, Gavin Creel, Adam Pascal and Seth Rudetsky will participate in workshops with the musical theatre students attending NOCCA. Broadway @ NOCCA is sponsored by the New Orleans Hotel Collection, which encourages audiences to see a show and take a "STAYCATION" by combining a evening of theatre with a stay at one of the hotels of the New Orleans Hotel Collection, with more information at www.neworleanshotelcollection.com/big.

Judy Kuhn starred in the Tony Award winning Broadway musical "Fun Home," for which she was nominated for 2015 Tony and Drama League Award Nominations and won the 2014 Lucille Lortel Award. On Thursday, October 6 she joins the celebrated Broadway @ NOCCA series, with Sirius XM radio star Seth Rudetsky as pianist and host. She has been nominated for three other Tony Awards for her work on Broadway in the Roundabout's hit revival of "She Loves Me," and the American premieres of "Chess" and "LES MISERABLES" and on film sang the title role in Disney's hit "Pocahontas."

Two-time Tony Award Nominee and Olivier Award winner Gavin Creel will make his anticipated New Orleans series debut with the acclaimed Broadway@ NOCCA series on Thursday, December 15 at 7:30 PM featuring series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky on the piano. Most recently, Gavin Creel starred in the Broadway revival of "She Loves Me"and won the 2014 Olivier Award and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor In A Musical for his starring role in London's West End production of "The Book of Mormon" in the role of Elder Price.

Tony-nominee and Obie and Theatre World Award winner Adam Pascal, has created some of the most memorable roles in recent Broadway history. He shot to stardom for originating the role of Roger in the Broadway blockbuster "Rent," as well as the London production, and starred in the film version. On Saturday, January 14, 2017 he joins the acclaimed Broadway @ NOCCA series, where he joins pianist and host Seth Rudetsky for an unforgettable evening of conversation and song. This past season he starred in "Disaster!" on Broadway with Seth Rudetsky. He also originated the role of Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," and was featured as the Emcee in the critically acclaimed revival of "Cabaret" directed by Sam Mendes. Most recently he's starred on Broadway in "Memphis" and "Chicago."

NOCCA is a professional arts training center that has been changing the lives of young people since 1974. NOCCA provides intensive instruction in Classical Music, Creative Writing, Culinary Arts, Dance, Drama, Jazz, Media Arts, Musical Theatre, Theatre Design, Vocal Music, Visual Arts, and academics to students from public, private, and parochial schools across Louisiana. Students attend via school day, after-school, and summer sessions. Admission to NOCCA is by audition, and there is no tuition. More info at http://www.nocca.com/. The NOCCA Institute is NOCCA's nonprofit partner, providing supplemental funding for NOCCA and advocacy for its world-class program. Some of the Institute's more notable endeavors include: a comprehensive Financial Aid Program that funds students' supplies and fees associated with important summer training programs across the country; an Artists-in-Residence Program that brings more than 100 professional visiting artists into NOCCA's classrooms each year; the capital campaign for NOCCA's current home and expansion projects along the Press Street corridor, including Press Street Station, 5 Press Gallery, and Press Street Gardens; and concert, gallery, and literary events for the community. We also oversee rentals of the NOCCA campus, making it available to arts organizations, individuals, corporations, and other groups. More info at noccainstitute.com.

The Art House in Provincetown, MA, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Mark Cortale, is the original home to the internationally acclaimed Broadway @ The Art House series hosted by Seth Rudetsky. In its sixth season this past summer, the series presented Broadway superstars like Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Patti LuPone, Matthew Morrison, Cheyenne Jackson, Megan Hilty and Vanessa Williams. The Broadway @ series also premiered in 2013 in New Orleans, in Australia (Sydney & Melbourne) with Megan Mullally and in London's West End with Patti LuPone at the Leicester Square Theater. The series has travelled to Fort Lauderdale (The Broward Center), Philadelphia (The KimMel Center), San Francisco (The Nourse Theatre) and this summer it had its inaugural season at the Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center. More information at markcortalepresents.com.