Disney's ALADDIN to Anchor Broadway at the Hobby Center 2018-2019 Season

Broadway at the Hobby Center announced the lineup of shows for its 2018-2019 Season today. Tony Award® winners, premieres, and all-time favorites make up the new season of nine productions, including two season options.

"I can't wait to share this season with the audiences of Houston. The phrase 'something for everyone,' can often be overused, but in this case it couldn't be more true," states Fran Macferran, President of the Hobby Center Foundation. "We are bringing everything from beloved audience favorite LES MISÉRABLES to acclaimed revival MISS SAIGON, a game-changing rock musical with RENT, new musicals ANASTASIA and WAITRESS with music by Sara Bareilles, another Disney sensation for young and old in ALADDIN, and a hilarious and award-winning play in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. And that's not even the full list! Seasons like this continue to raise the bar and we are thrilled to bring such first-class arts offerings to our great city."

Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON returns to Houston for a limited engagement as a season option. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA makes a triumphant two-week return.

Additionally, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, the six-time 2017 Tony Award®-winner for BEST MUSICAL, was announced as a sneak preview into the following 2019-2020 Season. 2018-2019 Subscribers will have first access to tickets when they renew their subscriptions for the 2019-2020 Season.

LES MISÉRABLES

September 25-30, 2018

"An Unquestionably Spectacular Production From Start to Finish"

-The New York Times

Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michael Schonberg's Tony Award®-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, direct from an acclaimed two-and-a-half-year return to Broadway. With its glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, this breathtaking new production has left both audiences and critics awestruck, sheering "Les Miz is born again!" (NY1) Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption - a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Featuring the thrilling score and beloved songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "One Day More," and many more, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Seen by more than 70 million people in 44 countries and in 22 languages around the globe, LES MISÉRABLES is still the world's most popular musical, breaking box office records everywhere in its 32nd year.

WAITRESS

January 29-February 3, 2019

"Sara Bareilles' Score is a Beauty"

-Deadline

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, who 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 must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

"WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!" says Entertainment Weekly and "A monumental contribution to Broadway!" according to Marie Claire. Don't miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

ANASTASIA

March 5-10, 2019

"An Irresistible and Sumptuous Fairy Tale!"

-Variety

Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Houston at last!

From the Tony Award®-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

ANASTASIA features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), with direction by Tony Award®-winner Darko Tresnjak.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

March 26-31, 2019

"Broadway's Funniest and Longest-Running Play!"

-New York Post

What would happen if Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python had an illegitimate Broadway baby? You'd get THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, Broadway and London's award-winning smash comedy! Called "A GUT-BUSTING HIT" (The New York Times) and "THE FUNNIEST PLAY BROADWAY HAS EVER SEEN" (HuffPost), the classic murder mystery is chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania delivering

"A RIOTOUS EXPLOSION OF COMEDY" (Daily Beast). Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can't play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), it's "TONS OF FUN FOR ALL AGES" (HuffPost) and "COMIC GOLD" (Variety) - sure to bring down the house!

MISS SAIGON

May 7-12, 2019

"A Dynamite Broadway Revival!"

-The New Yorker

Experience the acclaimed new production of the legendary musical MISS SAIGON, from the creators of Les Misérables. In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work in a bar run by a notorious character known as the Engineer. There she meets and falls in love with an American G.I. named Chris but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. For 3 years, Kim goes on an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he's fathered a son. This new production features stunning spectacle and a sensational cast of 42 performing the soaring score featuring Broadway hits including "The Heat is On in Saigon," "The Movie in My Mind." and "Last Night of the World."

DISNEY'S ALADDIN

June 26 - July 14, 2019

"Exactly What You Wish For!"

-NYC-TV

From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, 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 Award® 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). See why audiences and critics agree, ALADDIN is "Exactly What You Wish For!" (NBC-TV).

RENT 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR

August 6-11, 2019

In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway... and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson's RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters-love.

SEASON OPTIONS

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

November 7-18, 2018

"Spectacular, Powerful, Captivating Voices and a Remarkable Set."

-Boston.com

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA makes a triumphant return to Houston as part of a North American Tour. Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is "bigger and better than ever before" and features a brilliant scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award®-winner Paule Constable, choreography by Scott Ambler, and 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.

THE BOOK OF MORMON

January 15-20, 2019

The New York Times calls it, "The best musical of the century." The Washington Post says, "It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals." And Entertainment Weekly says, "Grade A: the funniest musical of all time." Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it "Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal." It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning BEST MUSICAL. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing room only productions in Australia, London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN
COMING IN THE 2019-2020 SEASON

It was also announced that the winner of six 2017 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, and the 2018 Grammy Award®-nominee DEAR EVAN HANSEN will play Houston as part of the Broadway at the Hobby Center 2019-2020 Season. Called "one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history" by the Washington Post, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award®-winner Steven Levenson, a score by Tony Award®, Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning composers Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award®-nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Subscribers for the 2018-2019 Season will have first access to reserve their seats for DEAR EVAN HANSEN when they renew their subscription for the 2019-2020 Season. The dates and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.

At this time, 2018-2019 Season Packages are only available to current, renewing Subscribers. New patrons are encouraged to sign up for the official waiting list at BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com, and will be notified once new subscriptions become available.

2018-2019 Season Packages can be purchased:

• Online at BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com 24 hours a day

• By calling (800) 952-6560; Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST through the April 6, 2018 renewal deadline

• By visiting the Hobby Center Box Office at 800 Bagby Street; 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday ?

• Prices begin at $210

Current Subscribers will receive renewal materials via email TODAY followed by a mailing after the announcement. Broadway at the Hobby Center offers an array of subscriber benefits including: best seats at the best prices, priority purchase opportunities, flexible payment plans, exchange privileges, and replacements on lost or stolen tickets. In addition, Season Subscribers can take advantage of special offers plus membership and privileges to Broadway Across America, a national network of over 40 North American cities where Broadway is presented.

GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: Individual ticket on-sale dates will be announced throughout the year. For more information about groups of 10 or more, http://Houston.broadway.com/groups, call (888) 451-5986 or e-mail houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

THE HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is operated by the Hobby Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to expand Houston's reputation as a world-class cultural center by providing a premier performing arts facility, fostering accessibility to the performing arts and promoting arts education, with an emphasis on musical theater. The complex houses two performance chambers, an award-winning restaurant, and an 800 car capacity on- premise parking garage. Please visit TheHobbyCenter.org.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (BAA) is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and The Broadway Channel. Led by 11-time Tony-winning producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 44 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Current and past productions include Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, Groundhog Day, Hairspray, Hello, Dolly!, Million Dollar Quartet, On Your Feet!, The Producers, School of Rock and Waitress. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

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