Arizona Broadway Theatre Announces Lineup For 2017-2018 Season

Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) announced its Season 13 lineup to a packed house of invited donors and season subscribers. The eight full-scale productions will appear on the ABT Mainstage for the 2017-2018 season October 2017 through September 20186.

The season will kick off October 13, 2017, with Broadway landmark Man of La Mancha starring ABT favorites James Rio as Don Quixote and Andy Meyers as his stalwart companion Sancho Panza. Fighting evil, righting wrongs and restoring chivalry, Man of La Mancha is the story of one man's quest to dream "The Impossible Dream" of a world where honor and salvation prevail. Winner of five Tony Awards for its rousing score and timely themes, this musical will have you tilting at windmills! OCT 13-NOV 11, 2017

For the holidays, there's something for everyone! At ABT, get swept away to the mysterious island of Bali Ha'i this holiday season with South Pacific! Experience infectious fun, laughter and the heartache of forbidden love as one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most enduring stories and masterful scores returns to the ABT stage. Set in the South Pacific of WWII, show-stopping numbers include, "There Is Nothing Like a Dame" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair." South Pacific will be "Some Enchanted Evening" for the whole family! NOV 24-DEC 30, 2017

In a continuation of the partnership started in 2016, the holidays bring everyone's favorite curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge returns to the Herberger Theater Center stage as ABT and HTC bring A Christmas Carol To life in December 2017! Money-hungry Scrooge bah-humbugs at the joys of Christmas, and, in turn, must face his selfish ways when three ghostly visitors lead him through his Past, Present and Future. This lavish and thrilling Broadway adaptation of Charles Dickens' most well-known story breathes fantastic new life into the classic tale of Christmas tidings and heartwarming generosity. Bring the whole family and join Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley and Bob Cratchit as they sing Alan Menken and Lynn Ahren's beloved favorites like "A Jolly Good Time," "Christmas Together" and "Happy Christmas."

The New Year will bring a top fan request back to the ABT stage as we set sail on the classic Show Boat. Passions run high on the mighty Mississippi as the paddle-steamer Cotton Blossom sets sail. With its powerful story of love, loyalty, and freedom, Show Boat is a thrilling musical spectacle that features some of the most memorable songs of the era, like "Ol' Man River" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (of Mine)." Its message of acceptance and inclusion resonates vibrantly even today. JAN 12-FEB 10, 2018

Hair is Here! Experience The Age of Aquarius and the sixties counter-culture in all its psychedelic and bell-bottomed glory! As relevant today as when it opened on Broadway in the tumultuous spring of 1968, Hair is the original rock musical that defined a generation's struggles with community, war, peace and resistance. Sit back and be intoxicated by songs like "Easy to Be Hard," "Good Morning Starshine" and the everlasting anthem "Let the Sun Shine In." FEB 23-MAR 25, 2018

An Arizona regional premiere! Based on one of the bestselling books of the 20th century (and later adapted into the 1995 feature film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood), The Bridges of Madison County features a Tony Award-winning score by Jason Robert Brown. Experience this timeless tale of yearning and desire set in
America's heartland. One of the most romantic stories of our time, this powerful Broadway musical is an unforgettable love story of two soulmates caught between "what is" versus "what could have been." APR 13-MAY 13, 2018

ABT's 100th Mainstage Production - Mary Poppins flies onto the ABT stage in the summer of 2018! Magically appearing just when she's needed most, Mary leads the Banks household on zany adventures with chimney sweeps, shopkeepers and an assortment of astonishing characters. With infectious music by Disney's legendary Sherman brothers ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "The Aristocats"), "Anything Can Happen" in the world of Mary Poppins. Get ready for something Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! JUNE 1-24, 2018

The seventh show of the season is an Arizona regional premiere! Based on the hit Steven Spielberg film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, Catch Me If You Can is a high-Flying Musical comedy that tells the true story of con man Frank Abagnale, Jr. - a brazen young man who fools some of the best security in the world. This delightfully entertaining show is packed full of 1960s Pan Am glamour with a book by Tony Award-winning American playwright Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime). Catch Me If You Can will have you examining the doctor's license on the wall a little more closely! JULY 13-AUG 5, 2018

Rounding out the season, come one, come all, to the final night of the "Raise the Praise" tour! Altar Boyz is a sharp-witted parody about a fictitious all-singing, all-dancing Christian boy band from Ohio. Packed full of humor and dazzling dance routines, the show features songs with hilarious lyrics such as "Girl You Made Me Wanna Wait" and "Jesus Called Me on My Cell Phone." Get ready to be saved as Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham rock your soul! AUG 24-SEPT 16, 2018

For more information on ABT and the upcoming season, visit azbroadway.org.

About Arizona Broadway Theatre

ABT, Arizona's one-of-a-kind, award-winning, state-of-the-art professional theatre showcases locally and nationally acclaimed artists and provides palate-pleasing sit-down table service with themed menu items prepared fresh daily to accompany the award-winning on-stage fare. With one reservation, you can enjoy a full night's entertainment without having to rush around the Phoenix sprawl between meal and show! ABT is conveniently located south of West Bell Road off Loop 101 in the P83 District east of the Peoria Sports Complex. Parking is free. For tickets and additional information call the Box Office at 623.776.8400 or visit www.azbroadway.org. Arizona Broadway Theatre's twelfth season is proudly sponsored by Arrowhead Cadilla.