2017 Music Circus Season Announced

California Musical Theatre announces the 2017 lineup for Sacramento Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 67th season for the venerable institution. The season includes two shows that have never been produced at Music Circus: Sister Act, featuring a score by multi award-winning composer Alan Menken, and 9 to 5, featuring a score by Grammy-winning music legend Dolly Parton. Returning to Music Circus for the first time since 1961 is On The Town, with a soaring score by Leonard Bernstein. Damn Yankees, a multiple Tony-winning Best Musical with a score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, returns for the first time since 2003. The beloved Disney family favorite Beauty and the Beast, with an Academy Award-winning score by Alan Menken, kicks off the season on June 20; to allow for a two-week engagement of that popular classic, the season will include five titles.

In addition to providing a healthy dose of musical comedy, the 2017 Music Circus season brings with it some notable changes. Season tickets go on sale almost two months earlier than in previous seasons to give patrons an opportunity to purchase tickets as holiday gifts for friends and family. To make them even more affordable, season ticket prices have been reduced, saving subscribers almost 20 percent over the cost of single-show tickets. The pricing structure has also been simplified to just three seating sections, almost doubling the number of seats available for every performance in the $45 section.

Season ticket holders will receive renewal information in the mail the week of November 21, and their seat locations will be held until the January 27 renewal deadline. The Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office will begin taking both subscriber renewal orders and paid reservations for new subscribers on November 21 at 10:00 a.m., and new subscribers will be seated following current subscribers.

Season tickets range from $225 to $301, depending on performance time and seating location. Single-show ticket prices range from $45 to $74. For Beauty and the Beast only, a special price of $45 is available for children age 4 - 12. No one under age four is admitted to any Music Circus show. For all shows, evening performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

In addition to saving up to $138 on a pair of season tickets (over the price of a pair of single-show tickets), Music Circus season ticket holders receive a number of valuable subscriber benefits, including the ability to get the best available seating locations, discounted parking at Memorial Garage, the opportunity to order additional single tickets before the general public, the ability to exchange their tickets for another performance of the same show free of charge, and guaranteed renewal privileges. Subscribers are also guaranteed access to every show in the season, including those that will sell out.

Season ticketholders also have an opportunity to attend a free Subscriber Showcase concert on April 1 at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, an exclusive event for subscribers that features some of the Broadway world's most talented actors performing songs from the 2017 Music Circus season.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on November 21, renewals and new subscriber reservations are available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street in Sacramento, or by phone at (916) 557-1999. Beginning December 12 at 9:00 AM, reservation requests for discounts on groups of 12 or more can be made by calling the Group Sales department at (916) 557-1198 or via our website. Single-show tickets go on sale March 10.

2017 Music Circus Season

For all shows, evening performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast: June 20 - July 2
• Synopsis: In this romantic "tale as old as time" based on the 1991 animated Disney film, Belle, an intelligent young woman, takes the place of her imprisoned father in the castle of a Beast, who is really a cursed prince. Determined to make the best of her situation, Belle befriends the enchanted inhabitants of the castle including the Beast, inspiring hope that the curse may still be broken. With music from the Academy Award winning score by Alan Menken including "Gaston," "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song.
• Credits: Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton; based on the 1991 animated Disney film.
• CMT History: Last at Music Circus in 2005; part of the Broadway Sacramento 2000-2001 and 2012-2013 seasons.
• Memorable Songs: "Be Our Guest," "Gaston", "Belle," and the title song.
• Broadway History: Premiered on Broadway on April 18, 1994; closed July 29, 2007.
• Awards: Nominated for 9 Tony Awards. The 1991 animated film won 2 Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

On the Town: July 11 - 16
• Synopsis: Three Sailors have a 24 hour leave from their ship docked in New York City during World War II. Join Ozzie, Chip, Gabey and the three high-spirited young women they meet as they chase love and dreams during an unforgettable day in the city that never sleeps. With a soaring score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, featuring "I Can Cook, Too," "Lonely Town," and the iconic "New York, New York."
• Credits: Music by Leonard Bernstein, book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Based on Jerome Robbins' idea for his 1944 ballet Fancy Free, set to Bernstein's music.
• CMT History: 3rd Music Circus production, the last in 1961. (MC 1955 & 1961).
• Memorable Songs: "New York, New York", "Lonely Town", "I Can Cook, Too", "Some Other Time."
• Broadway History: Original Broadway production ran December 28, 1944 to February 2, 1946 for 462 performances. There have been 3 revivals, the most recent in 2014.
• Awards: The 1971 revival earned Bernadette Peters her first Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and the most recent revival was nominated for 4 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.

9 to 5: July 25 - 30
• Synopsis: The hilarious 1980 movie is now a fun-filled musical comedy of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era featuring Dolly Parton's original hit song and a new Tony Award and Grammy-nominated score. Pushed to the boiling point, three unlikely friends and co-workers conspire to take control of their company from their egotistical boss. With "Shine Like the Sun," "Change It" and the famous title song, this outrageous and thought-provoking romp is about teaming up and taking care of business!
• Credits: Music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, book by Patricia Resnick. Based on the 1980 movie of the same name.
• CMT History: Music Circus premiere. Part of the Broadway Sacramento 2010-2011 season.
• Memorable Songs: "Shine Like the Sun," "Change It" and the famous title song.
• Broadway History: April 30, 2009 to September 6, 2009.
• Awards: Nominated for 15 Drama Desk Awards, the most received by a production in a single year, and 4 Tony Awards.

Damn Yankees: August 8 - 13
• Synopsis: Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, this fast-paced and devilishly clever musical classic tells the story of baseball fanatic Joe Boyd, who trades his soul for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. But Joe soon realizes the true worth of the life that he's left behind. With a winning score by Adler and Ross including hit favorites "Whatever Lola Wants" and "Heart."
• Credits: Book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.
• CMT History: 7th production at Music Circus; the first was in 1957 and the most recent was in 2003.
• Memorable Songs: "Whatever Lola Wants," "Heart," "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO."
• Broadway History: The original Broadway production opened May 5, 1955 and closed Oct. 12, 1957 after 1,019 performances. A revival ran on Broadway from March 3, 1994 - Aug. 6, 1995.
• Awards: The original Broadway production was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning 7 including Best Musical and Best Choreography.

Sister Act: August 22 - 27
• Synopsis: When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be a found: a convent! Based on the hit 1992 film this uplifting musical comedy is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of sisterhood featuring original music by Tony and Oscar winning composer Alan Menken.
• Credits: Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill Steinkellner and Cheri Steinkellner, with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. Based on the hit 1992 film comedy of the same name.
• CMT History: Music Circus premiere. Broadway Sacramento 2013-2014 Season.
• Memorable Songs: "Raise Your Voice", "Take Me To Heaven."
• Broadway History: Broadway production ran from April 20, 2011 to August 26, 2012.
• Awards: Nominated for 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

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