Gexa Energy's Broadway at the Hobby Center Announces Blockbuster Season

Now that New Year's Eve celebrations are behind us, my favorite time of the theatre year is upon us. In late winter and early spring, theaters all around Houston start unveiling their upcoming seasons, in hopes of keeping current season subscribers and gaining new ones. Kicking off this annual season of unveiling is Gexa Energy's Broadway at the Hobby Center 2014-2015 Season announcement.

Fresh from its acclaimed revival on Broadway produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company, Gexa Energy and Broadway Across America invite Houston audiences abroad the S.S. American for the latest national tour of Cole Porter, Guy Bolton, and P.G. Wodehouse's iconic musical ANYTHING GOES. Houston audiences can set sail with some of musical theater's most recognizable standards like "I Get a Kick Out Of You," "You're the Top," and "Anything Goes" from October 14 - 19, 2014. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.anythinggoesontour.com.

In 1987, Patrick Swazye and Jennifer Grey taught the world that no one puts Baby in the corner! Now, Dirty Dancing has been adapted into a stage musical, featuring such hit songs from the film's legendary soundtrack like "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby," "Do You Love Me," and the infamous "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." Houston audiences can venture to Kellerman's resort in the Catskill Mountains by attending DIRTY DANCING - THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE from November 18 - 23, 2014. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.dirtydancingontour.com.

Just in time for 2014's Christmas season, both Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center and Theatre Under the Stars are hosting the triumphant Houston return of the world renowned Rockettes with the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, STARRING THE ROCKETTES. This season's incarnation of the seasonal favorite is said to feature "brand-new scenes, new sets and costumes, breathtaking special effects and an unforgettable new Rockettes finale!" For purists, favorites such as Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and The Living Nativity "still remain a vital part of the show's core." Houston audiences can get their holiday kicks from December 5 - 28, 2014. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.radiocitychristmas.com.

Due to extreme popular demand, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone's riotously irreverent BOOK OF MORMON is set to make Houston audiences wet with salvation all over again with its highly anticipated return engagement. This winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, thrilled audiences this past season and is ready to leave Houston rolling in the aisles for a second time. This production is a season option that subscribers can add to their package, and it will be playing Houston from January 20 - February 8, 2015. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.bookofmormonthemusical.com.

Making this Houston reviewer giddy with excitement, ONCE, the winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, will be playing Houston from March 10 - 15, 2014. Based on the independent film by the same title, it tells the story of a discouraged Dublin street musician who falls for a beautiful young woman. As their relationship soars, he rediscovers his passion for creating music. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.oncemusical.com.

Heralded as Broadway's "ultimate feel-good show," MAMMA MIA! returns to Houston, playing from April 14 - 19, 2015. Featuring a score of hit ABBA songs like "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Super Trouper," "Take A Chance On Me," "The Winner Takes It All," and more, this fan favorite is another season option that can be added to subscribers' packages. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.mamma-mia.com.

Another show I'm anticipating seeing on Houston stages is Alan Menken, Jack Feldman, and Harvey Fierstein's NEWSIES, adapted for stage from the under-appreciated Disney film of the same title. This musical has been a smash-hit, crowd-pleaser in New York City, and now this tale about underdogs turned unlikely heroes is ready to rouse Houston audiences and teach us how to seize the day. These gutsy and spirited paper sellers take hold of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts' Sarofim Hall from May 19 - 24, 2015. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.newsiesthemusical.com/Tour.

Finishing Gexa Energy's Broadway at the Hobby Center 2014-2015 season is the National Tour of Broadway's MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, which tells the story of Berry Gordy's journey from relative nobody to music mogul. The score features many of Motown Records' unforgettable hits and reminds audiences how this little business changed the world and the face of pop music forever. This show is sure to leave Houston audiences dancing in the streets from July 21 - 26, 2015. For more information about this production, please visit http://www.motownthemusical.com.

Season tickets for the 2014-2015 Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center series are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (800) 952-6560, Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. CST through the February 18 renewal deadline, or online at www.BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com. Prices begin at $170. Current Subscribers will receive renewal packets in the mail during the week of January 13.

Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center will offer an array of Subscriber benefits including: priority purchase opportunities and flexible payment plan, a dedicated season staff, exchange privileges, and replacements on lost or stolen tickets. In addition, Season Subscribers can take advantage of special offers (when available) plus membership and privileges to Broadway Across America, a national network of over 40 North American cities where Broadway is presented.

Individual tickets will be available six to eight weeks prior to each scheduled performance. For groups pricing, please call (888) 451-5986 or e-mail houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

To stay up-to-date and get the inside scoop on the 2014 - 2015 season before it rolls into Houston, join their social community at Facebook.com/BroadwayAcrossAmericaHouston, Twitter.com/BAAHouston,Facebook.com/TheHobbyCenter and Twitter.com/HobbyCenter.

All photos courtesy of Broadway Across America.