HAMILTON and More to be Included in Broadway Grand Rapids' 2018-19 Season

Broadway Grand Rapids will celebrate 30 years of bringing the best of Broadway to West Michigan when the new season begins next fall. The 2018-19 season will include some of the freshest and liveliest shows on tour. FINDING NEVERLAND kicks off the season with the story of J.M. Barrie's discovery of "Peter Pan". Next is Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit SCHOOL OF ROCK, featuring Broadway's first ever kids band playing live on stage. ON YOUR FEET! is the high flying, energizing and inspirational story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. The recipe for WAITRESS mixes pie-baking with the universal search for happiness and wonderful music by Sara Bareilles. Finally, ANASTASIA brings together opulent history and romantic mystery to the stage. In addition, BGR will present two special events next season. Tony and Grammy winning Best Musical JERSEY BOYS will return to Grand Rapids for 5 performances in December.

And back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON returns to Grand Rapids following a record-breaking engagement in 2016.

The Broadway Grand Rapids subscription series is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. All performances, subscription shows and special events alike will be presented at DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids.

Broadway Grand Rapids also announced that the national tour of the Broadway musical HAMILTON will play at DeVos Performance Hall as part of the 2019-2020 season. The best way to guarantee tickets to HAMILTON is to renew or purchase a season subscription for the 2018-2019 Season, thereby securing seats when that subscription is renewed in 2019-20. Tickets for HAMILTON are not on sale now, and information regarding engagement dates and how to purchase groups and single tickets will be announced at a later time.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow's biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation's first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.

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Subscription Series:

FINDING NEVERLAND

October 9-14, 2018

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 7:30pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

The winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash "captures the kid-at-heart," says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, "It's a must-see you'll remember for years to come!" Directed by visionary Tony-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award winning film, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world's most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four Young Brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys' enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie's classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. FINDING NEVERLAND is "far and away the best musical of the year!" (NPR).

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SCHOOL OF ROCK

January 8-13, 2019

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 7:30pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

SCHOOL OF ROCK is a New York Times Critics' Pick and AN INSPIRING JOLT OF ENERGY, JOY AND MAD SKILLZ! (Entertainment Weekly).

Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and musical theater's first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage. Vanity Fair raves, "FISTS OF ALL AGES SHALL BE PUMPING!"

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ON YOUR FEET!

February 19-24, 2019

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 7:30pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything.

ON YOUR FEET! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and an original book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), ON YOUR FEET! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century - and one of the most inspiring stories in music history.

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WAITRESS

April 30-May 5, 2019

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 7:30pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

"It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune.

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). "It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune.

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 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.

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ANASTASIA

June 25-30, 2019

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Grand Rapids 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.

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Special Events:

JERSEY BOYS

November 30-Dec 2, 2018

Friday 8pm; Saturday 2pm & 8pm; Sunday 1pm & 6:30pm

They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard... and the radio just couldn't get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story -- a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award-winning true-life musical phenomenon, JERSEY BOYS. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that's just too good to be true.

FEATURING THE LEGENDARY TOP TEN HITS: Sherry?•Big Girls Don't Cry?•Walk Like A Man • Can't Take My Eyes Off You •December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)

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THE BOOK OF MORMON

MARCH 19-24, 2019

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 7:30pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

The New York Times calls it "the best musical of this 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 London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.

The five-show subscription package includes: Finding Neverland, School of Rock, On Your Feet!, Waitress, and Anastasia. Season packages offer the biggest savings available and the opportunity for advance ticket purchasing before the general public for all presentations. Broadway GR offers easy payment plans, free lost-ticket replacement, no-fee ticket exchanges, personalized service, exclusive privileges, and the same reserved seats for each show. The 5-show Subscription Series package price ranges from $175 to $424, depending on seating section and performance day and time. Tickets to Jersey Boys and The Book of Mormon are not included in the season package, but subscribers have the first opportunity to purchase for these shows and receive discounts where applicable. The 2018-2019 Subscription Series may be renewed or purchased from Broadway Grand Rapids by calling 616-235-6285, in person at 122 Lyon Street NW in downtown Grand Rapids, by mail using the order form which can be downloaded from the BGR website or using the ONLINE ordering system at www.broadwaygrandrapids.com . BGR office hours are 9 to 5 Monday through Thursday, and 9 to 4 on Fridays. The subscription renewal deadline is Friday, April 27, 2018.

To receive exclusive pre-sale offers and discounts on upcoming shows sign up for the BGR Eclub at www.BroadwayGrandRapids.com/Eclub.

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