Segerstrom Center For the Arts Announces 2018-19 Broadway Season Including DEAR EVAN HANSEN, Betty Buckley in HELLO, DOLLY! and More

A season of Tony Award-winning Broadway hits - Center premieres and returning favorites - await audiences during Segerstrom Center for the Arts' 2018-2019 Broadway and Curtain Call Series, plus a special Bonus Offer. Coming to the Center for the first time are Waitress, Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, Disney's Aladdin, and Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There will be new productions of the Tony Award®-winning Best Musical Revival Hello, Dolly! starring Broadway legend Betty Buckley, Fiddler on the Roof and Cats. The season also includes two shows with remarkable and touching stories and iconic songs, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical and The Phantom of the Opera.

Free pre-show and intermission activities will entertain and inform audiences, and the popular Talk Backs with cast members will again be offered after most Thursday evening performances. One Saturday matinee performance of each show will be Open Captioned, Audio Described and ASL interpreted.

Current season subscribers may renew their tickets starting March 19. New season ticket packages will ALSO be available starting Monday, March 19 at 10 a.m. Single tickets will go on sale approximately eight weeks prior to individual engagements. Visit the Center's website, www.SCFTA.org for more information about both the current 2017 - 2018 Season and the 2018 - 2019 Season. For inquiries about group ticket discounts, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236.

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Broadway Series:

WAITRESS | CENTER PREMIERE
November 13 - 25, 2018 Segerstrom Hall

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song"), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Les Dangereuse Liasons, Waiting for Godot) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland). Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker. Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna herself must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life

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DEAR EVAN HANSEN | CENTER PREMIERE
January 1 - 13, 2019 Segerstrom Hall

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he's always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. "One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history," says The Washington Post. The New York Times calls DEAR EVAN HANSEN "a gutpunching, breathtaking knockout of a musical" and NBC News says that the musical is "an inspiring anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond."

DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, produced by Atlantic Records, made an extraordinary debut at #8 on the Billboard 200 - the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 -- and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. A special edition coffee table book authored by Levenson, Pasek and Paul, Dear Evan Hansen: through the window (Grand Central Publishing / Melcher) is now available, offering an in-depth, all-access look at the musical, including never-before-seen production photos and cast portraits, behind-the-scenes stories, and a fully annotated script by the authors.

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COME FROM AWAY | CENTER PREMIERE
February 5 - 17, 2019 Segerstrom Hall

On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all. The true story of the small town that welcomed the world. Broadway's COME FROM AWAY has won Best Musical all across North America! The New York Times Critics' Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. This breathtaking new musical was written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by this year's Tonywinning Best Director, Christopher Ashley.

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DISNEY'S ALADDIN | CENTER PREMIERE
March 6 - 23, 2019 Segerstrom Hall

Discover a whole new world at Disney's ALADDIN, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, in a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It's an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. Hailed by USA Today as "Pure Genie-Us," ALADDIN features all your favorite songs from the film as well as new music written by Tony® and Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Newsies) with lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida), and book writer Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), this "Fabulous" and "Extravagant" (The New York Times) new musical boasts an incomparable design team, with sets, costumes and lighting from Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots), and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris).

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FIDDLER ON THE ROOF | NEW PRODUCTION
May 7 - 19, 2019 Segerstrom Hall

Tony®-winning director Bartlett Sher and the team behind South Pacific, The King and I and 2017 Tonywinning Best Play Oslo, bring a fresh and authentic vision to this beloved theatrical masterpiece from Tony winner Joseph Stein and Pulitzer Prize winners Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. The original production won 10 Tony Awards, including a special Tony for becoming the longest-running Broadway musical of all time. You'll be there when the sun rises on this new production, with stunning movement and dance from acclaimed Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins. A wonderful cast and a lavish orchestra tell this heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the timeless traditions that define faith and family. Featuring the Broadway classics "Tradition," "If I Were a Rich Man," "Sunrise, Sunset," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "To Life," FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will introduce a new generation to this uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy! To love! To life!

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Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY | CENTER PREMIERE
May 28 - June 9, 2019 Segerstrom Hall

Roald Dahl's amazing tale is the perfect recipe for a delectable treat: songs from the original film, including "Pure Imagination," "The Candy Man" and "I've Got a Golden Ticket," alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters of Hairspray. Willy Wonka is opening his marvelous and mysterious chocolate factory...to a lucky few. That includes Charlie Bucket, whose bland life is about to burst with color and confection beyond his wildest dreams. He and four other Golden Ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing joyride through a world of pure imagination. Now's your chance to experience the wonders of Wonka like never before - get ready for Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator and more, more, more in this everlasting showstopper!

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Curtain Call Series:

BEAUTIFUL - THE Carole King MUSICAL
October 9 - 14, 2018 Segerstrom Hall

BEAUTIFUL - THE Carole King MUSICAL tells the 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 and Carole King, and Barry Mann and 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 has a book by and Tony® Award nominee and Academy® Award-nominated writer Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni, choreography by Josh Prince.

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HELLO, DOLLY! STARRING Betty Buckley | NEW PRODUCTION
January 22 - 27, 2019 Segerstrom Hall

Tony Award®-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley stars in HELLO, DOLLY! - the universally acclaimed smash that NPR calls "the best show of the year!" Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, director Jerry Zaks' "gorgeous" new production (Vogue) is "making people crazy happy!" (The Washington Post). Breaking box office records week after week and receiving thunderous raves on Broadway, this HELLO, DOLLY! pays tribute to the original work of legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion - hailed both then and now as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history. Rolling Stone calls it "a must-see event. A musical comedy dream. If you're lucky enough to score a ticket, you'll be seeing something historic. Wow, wow, wow, indeed!"

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CATS | NEW PRODUCTION
April 9 - 14, 2019 Segerstrom Hall

CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber has captivated audiences in more than 30 countries and 15 languages. Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater - "Memory." Winner of seven Tony Awards®, including BEST MUSICAL, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard, Love Never Dies), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom), and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make this production a new CATS for a new generation.

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Special Broadway Bonus Event:

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
July 10 - 21, 2019 Includes a special Thursday, July 11 matinee. Segerstrom Hall

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will make a triumphant return to Orange County as part of its North American Tour. Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is "bigger and better than ever before" and features a brilliant new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award® winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and new staging by director Laurence Connor. The production, overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh, boasts many exciting special effects including the show's legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score - with songs like "Music of the Night," "All I Ask Of You" and "Masquerade" - will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this PHANTOM one of the largest productions now on tour.

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Segerstrom Center for the Arts is an acclaimed arts institution as well as a beautiful multi-disciplinary cultural campus. It is committed to supporting artistic excellence, offering unsurpassed experiences and to engaging the entire community in new and exciting ways through the unique power of live performance and a diverse array of inspiring arts-based education and community engagement programs.

Previously called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Center is Orange County's largest non-profit arts organization. In addition to its six performance venues, Segerstrom Center is also home to the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School.

The Center presents a broad range of programming for audiences of all ages, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family-friendly programming, free performances open to the public from outdoor movie screenings to dancing on the plaza and many other special events.

Segerstrom Center is a leader among the nation's performing arts centers for providing education programs designed to inspire young people through the arts. The Center's programs reach hundreds of thousands of students each year in five Southern California counties. Community engagement programs developed through the Center for Dance and Innovation and Center Without Boundaries also connect the Center more comprehensively with Orange County's many diverse communities. The CDI supports flagship artistic programming and a wide range of projects that celebrate innovation, nurture creativity and engage audiences of the future. It is home to the ABT Gillespie School and the School of Dance and Music for Children with Disabilities. The Center Without Boundaries develops partnerships with noncultural organizations to help them in their own efforts to respond the ever-changing needs of the community.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is also proud to serve as the artistic home to three of the region's major performing arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale, who contribute greatly to the artistic life of the region with annual seasons performed at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

In addition to Segerstrom Center for the Arts as a presenting and producing institution, it also identifies the beautiful 14-acre campus that embraces the Center's own facilities as well as two independently acclaimed organizations: Tony Award®-winning South Coast Repertory and a site designated as the future home of the Orange County Museum of Art