2018/19 Broadway Philadelphia Season Announced - HAMILTON, ANASTASIA, LOVE NEVER DIES, and More

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization are pleased to announce the 2018/19 Broadway Philadelphia season, featuring an outstanding lineup of highly-anticipated Broadway shows, including the Philadelphia premiere of Hamilton. The monumental upcoming season boasts a prodigious collection of award-winning productions which have garnered a collective 47 Tony® Awards and 25 Drama Desk™ Awards - the highest number of shows holding awards to ever grace one Broadway Philadelphia season! Broadway Philadelphia season subscriptions had record-breaking sales for the 2017/18 season which guaranteed subscribers first access to Hamilton in the 2018/19 season. Love Never Dies, Roald Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, and Anastasia will also be making their Philadelphia premieres. Returning favorites include: Fiddler on the Roof, Cats, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, and the RENT 20th Anniversary Tour. Back by popular demand, The Book of Mormon returns to Philadelphia.

"We are ecstatic to announce our most dazzling Broadway Philadelphia season yet," said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "Premiering five incredible productions as well as welcoming the hottest show on Broadway to our campus makes the 2018/19 season a truly exciting time for us. It is an honor to celebrate the joy of Broadway with our culturally rich and lively city."

Broadway Philadelphia is presented collaboratively by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization, with productions at the Academy of Music, Merriam Theater, and the Forrest Theatre.

"We are pleased to partner with The Kimmel Center for another captivating Broadway Philadelphia season," said Philip J. Smith, Chairman of The Shubert Organization, Inc. "This season highlights a much anticipated and well-rounded roster of Broadway offerings for all ages."

The upcoming season promises a twist of classic Broadway and inspired modern musical theater for new and returning subscribers. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts took a unique approach beginning in the 2017/18 season to grow their subscriber base by offering tailored season packages which resulted in a record-breaking 228% increase in subscription sales, all while fulfilling a taste of Broadway for all types in the 2018/19 season.

"Hamilton has injected fresh interest into Broadway as a genre, and it's invigorating for Broadway buffs and new theatregoers alike," said Crystal Brewe, VP of Sales and Marketing for the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "To help foster this interest, we've curated a package specifically for new subscribers that includes Hamilton, but also features some of Broadway's biggest hits like Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, and Cats, as well as titles that innovatively reinvented the genre, like The Book of Mormon and RENT. This upcoming season truly offers the best of Broadway for everyone."

Tickets
Broadway Philadelphia subscription packages are on sale now. Subscribers save up to 25% off single ticket prices and are offered a variety of exclusive privileges, including the first opportunity to select the best seats in the house and the option to renew their seats each year. Subscribers also enjoy a host of benefits, including fee free exchanges, priority ticket access, payment plan options, and more.

Subscribing to a 7-show package is currently the only way to guarantee your seats to Hamilton. Current 7-show subscription packages range from $246.00 to $944.00 and are available online at www.kimmelcenter.com or by calling 215-893-1955. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215) 790-5883 or 866-276-2947. Visit online at kimmelcenter.com/groupsales or telecharge.com/groups.

Single tickets for individual productions will go on sale at a later date.

2018/19 BROADWAY PHILADELPHIA SHOW OVERVIEWS

LOVE NEVER DIES
October 2-7, 2018 • Academy of Music
Philadelphia premiere

The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and The Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. In this new, electrically-charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daaé. Now one of the world's finest sopranos, Christine accepts an invitation to travel from Paris to New York to perform at a renowned opera house. Christine's marriage to Raoul is suffering at the hands of his drinking and gambling and they desperately need the financial rewards that America can give them. In a final bid to win back Christine's love, The Phantom lures her, Raoul, and their young son Gustave, from Manhattan to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island - not knowing what is in store for them.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
October 23-28, 2018 • Academy of Music

Audiences across North America are toasting a new production of Fiddler on the Roof! Rich with musical hits you know and love, including "Tradition," "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were A Rich Man," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," and "To Life (L'Chaim!)," Fiddler on the Roof is the heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and life, love, and laughter. Tony®-winning director Bartlett Sher and the team behind South Pacific, The King and I, and 2017 Tony®-winning 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. Featuring a talented cast, lavish orchestra, and stunning movement and dance from Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins, Fiddler on the Roof will introduce a new generation to the uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy! To love! To life!

Roald Dahl'S CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
November 6-18, 2018 • Academy of Music

Philadelphia premiere

Roald Dahl's amazing tale is now Philadelphia's golden ticket! It's 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. Get ready for Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator, and more, more, more at this everlasting showstopper!

Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL
December 18-30, 2018 • Merriam Theater
Philadelphia Premiere

Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss' classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas," The Grinch discovers there's more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heartwarming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Celebrate the holidays with the show The New York Times calls "100 times better than any bedtime story!"

BEAUTIFUL - THE Carole King MUSICAL
January 8-20, 2019 • Academy of Music

Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock 'n' roll. But it wasn't until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. Beautiful 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. Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/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.

RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA
February 22-24, 2019 • Academy of Music

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella is the Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that's delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations, and all the moments you love-the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball, and more-plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible," and "Ten Minutes Ago," in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who's ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes.

RENT 20TH Anniversary Tour
March 5-10, 2019 • Merriam Theater

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.

MISS SAIGON
March 19-31, 2019 • Academy of Music

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."

ANASTASIA
April 9-14, 2019 • Academy of Music
Philadelphia premiere

Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is on a journey to Philadelphia 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 BOOK OF MORMON
May 28-June 9, 2019 • Academy of Music

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." AndEntertainment 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.

CATS
June 18-30, 2019 • Forrest Theatre

Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America! Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theatre -"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), 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! Experience Cats for the first time or let it thrill you all over again!

HAMILTON
August 27-November 17, 2019 • Forrest Theatre
Philadelphia premiere

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.

The Shubert Organization
For more than 100 years, The Shubert Organization has been in the forefront of the American theatre. Under the leadership of Philip J. Smith, Chairman, and Robert E. Wankel, President, The Shubert Organization owns and operates 17 Broadway theatres and six Off-Broadway venues, as well as the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia. The company has produced and co-produced hundreds of plays and musicals, including the original Broadway production of CATS, Dreamgirls, Sundayin the Park with George, Amadeus, The Real Thing, The Grapes of Wrath, Equus, The Elephant Man, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, School of Rock ­The Musical, and The Humans. The Shubert Organization is proud of its ongoing refurbishment program for its theatres, seeking to preserve the historic character while modernizing them to accommodate the needs of today's audiences.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center's mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center Campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region's most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center's 2018-2019 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

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