ROCK OF AGES, HAIR, NEXT TO NORMAL & More Part of PNC's New Season

PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh - presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Broadway Across America - today unveiled its "practically perfect" 2010/2011 season. One of the city's premier entertainment series, PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh is generously sponsored by The PNC Foundation. The 2010/2011 season presents an array of must-see musical Theater Productions presented on the Cultural District's world-class stages.

The season starts with Lincoln Center Theater's lavish and flawless new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, followed by the new musical arena-rock love story, ROCK OF AGES. Broadway's "magical hit musical" - the roof-raising MARY POPPINS produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh - will fly into the Benedum Center for an extravaganza at the beginning of 2011. Then, the energetic musical revival that will set you in search of peace and love, HAIR, continues the season, and Pittsburgh will get a make-ogre with the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre, SHREK THE MUSICAL. Next up is what critics have rated among "the best of 2009," the emotional powerhouse musical, NEXT TO NORMAL. And finally - from the first notes to the final breath - Pittsburgh audiences will be captivated as the all-new production of WEST SIDE STORY rounds out this not-to-be-missed season of Pittsburgh premiere musicals.

"The PNC Foundation is proud once again to be the presenting sponsor of this series, which draws over 300,000 visitors to our city's vibrant Cultural District each year and generates an economic impact estimated at more than $30 million annually for the region," said James E. Rohr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The PNC Financial Services Group. "The PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series contributes to the Pittsburgh's reputation as a major destination for arts and entertainment, bringing world-class Broadway productions close to home for residents of southwestern Pennsylvania."

Subscription packages range from $101 to $456, and information is available by calling 412-456-1390 (local), 800-828-9200 (outside Pittsburgh), or visiting www.pgharts.org. Information about discounted group tickets (minimums and discounts vary by production) is available by calling 412-471-6930.

PNC Broadway Across America - PITTSBURGH
2010/2011 SEASON
The Lincoln Center Theater Production of
Rodgers & Hammerstein's
SOUTH PACIFIC
November 2-7, 2010, at the Benedum Center
"A Flawless Production!" -The New York Times

A stunning reinvention produced by Lincoln Center Theater, SOUTH PACIFIC swept the 2008 Tony® Awards, winning seven honors including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Bartlett Sher. This breathtaking new production features a cast of 34 and a full orchestra of 26 members - the largest orchestra of any touring Broadway production. Set on a tropical island during World War II, this musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. The beloved score includes "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," and "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame."

 

ROCK OF AGES
November 23-28, 2010, at the Benedum Center
"Impossible to resist! As guilty as pleasures get!"
-The New York Times

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker in LA's most famous rock club, and they fell in love to the greatest songs of the '80s. It's five-time Tony® Award nominee ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don't miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!

 

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present
MARY POPPINS
January 5-23, 2011, at the Benedum Center
"Irresistible! Broadway has found a fresh fountain of youth that will make many a grown-up feel like a kid again! -USA Today

Get ready as the world's most famous nanny flies into the Benedum Center! Combining the best of the original stories by P.L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film, the Tony® Award-winning MARY POPPINS is everything you'd hope for in a Broadway musical - and more. Produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, this show includes such wonderful songs as "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Let's Go Fly a Kite" and, of course, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." The New York Daily News hails MARY POPPINS as "a roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza!" Let your imagination take flight at this magical hit musical!

 

HAIR
February 15-20, 2011, at Heinz Hall
"Thrilling, emotionally rich production delivers intense, unadulterated joy!" -The New York Times

New York's Public Theater's new Tony® Award-winning production of HAIR is the most electric celebration on Broadway! This exuberant musical about a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. HAIR features an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs including "Aquarius," "Let the Sun Shine In," "Good Morning, Starshine," and "Easy To Be Hard." Its relevance is undeniable. Its energy is unbridled. Its truth is unwavering. It's HAIR, and it's time.

 

SHREK THE MUSICAL
March 15-20, 2011, at the Benedum Center
"A triumph of comic imagination, altogether irresistible!" -USA Today

SHREK THE MUSICAL, based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to life on the stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre--not a handsome price--shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek. Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, USA Today proclaims SHREK THE MUSICAL, "A big fat hit!"

 

NEXT TO NORMAL
April 5-10, 2011, at the Benedum Center
"It is the best musical of the season - by a mile.
It'll pin you to your seat." -Rolling Stone

From the director of RENT comes NEXT TO NORMAL, an emotional powerhouse of a musical with a thrilling, contemporary score about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. Winner of three 2009 Tony® Awards including Best Score, NEXT TO NORMAL is the most talked about new show on Broadway having recently been chosen as "one of the year's best" by major critics around the country. The New York Times calls NEXT TO NORMAL "a brave, breathtaking musical. A work of muscular grace and power. It is much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel-everything musical."

 

WEST SIDE STORY
May 17-22, 2011, at the Benedum Center
"So exciting it makes you ache with pleasure."
-The New Yorker

More than 50 years ago, one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back to mesmerize audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by Tony® Award winner Arthur Laurents, WEST SIDE STORY remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

 

2010/2011 SEASON SPECIALS
Subscribers are able to purchase the best seats to these four specials at the best price before they go on sale to the public. Tickets will go on sale 4-6 weeks prior to each production's opening date. These special presentations are in addition to and not part of the 2010/2011 subscription series.

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
August 25 - September 19, 2010, at the Benedum Center

BURN THE FLOOR
December 28, 2010 - January 2, 2011, at Heinz Hall

RAIN - A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
January 11-16, 2011, at Heinz Hall

MAMMA MIA!
April 19-24, 2011, at Heinz Hall

 

SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS
The 2010/2011 PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Broadway Across America. The PNC Foundation is the sponsor of this series. Season subscription packages are available now at prices ranging from $101 to $456. For subscription information call 412-456-1390 (local) or 800-828-9200 (outside Pittsburgh). To subscribe or renew online, visit www.pgharts.org. To purchase discounted tickets for groups (minimums and discounts vary by production), please call 412-471-6930.

About The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the Cultural District, and is an impetus for additional development in Downtown Pittsburgh.
In addition to the PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Presents, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Children's Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events.

The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O'Reilly and Harris Theaters; Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, a visual arts gallery at 812 Liberty Avenue; and 937 Liberty, a multi-purpose performance and exhibit space, among other Downtown Pittsburgh arts facilities.

About The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Heinz Hall is the home of The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, which has been a vital part of the City of Pittsburgh's heritage for more than 100 years. With its noble history of the finest conductors and musicians and its strong commitment to artistic quality and excellence, audiences around the world have claimed the PSO as their orchestra of choice. In September 2008, the PSO welcomed its ninth Music Director, Manfred Honeck.

Beginning in the early 1900s with frequent performances in Canada, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra confirmed its ranking as a world-class orchestra, earning critical acclaim for each tour abroad. Its 32 international tours include 17 European tours, seven trips to the Far East and two to South America. In January 2004, the PSO became the first American orchestra to perform for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican as part of the Pontiff's Silver Jubilee celebration.

About Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities. It is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Broadway Across America most recently produced the Broadway productions of HAIR, WEST SIDE STORY and Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS. Upcoming productions include MINSKY'S, PROMISES, PROMISES, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and the West End production of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. Touring productions include Nickelodeon's STORYTIME ADVENTURES featuring Dora the Explorer and DREAMGIRLS.

 

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!