Broadway Series

BROADWAY SERIES

BROADWAY AT THE ACADEMY • BROADWAY AT THE FORREST





KIMMEL CENTER, INC. & SHUBERT ORGANIZATION, INC.

ANNOUNCE NEW 2008-2009 CADILLAC BROADWAY SERIES



Top Broadway Musicals Will Make Philadelphia

Premieres at Academy of Music and Forrest Theatre



Spring Awakening And Legally Blonde The Musical

Set to Highlight Sensational New Season!



Award-Winning Lineup Will Also Feature

A Chorus Line, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,

Happy Days – A New Musical



(Philadelphia, Pa., March 6, 2008) – An award-winning combination of dazzling Broadway musicals are set to arrive in Philadelphia, marking the arrival of the new 2008-2009 Cadillac Broadway Series hosted by the Academy of Music and the Forrest Theatre.



The new Cadillac Broadway Series subscription season will feature: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL (Dec. 2 – 7, 2008); HAPPY DAYS – A NEW MUSICAL (Mar. 24 – 29, 2009); CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (Apr. 7 – 12, 2009); SPRING AWAKENING (Jun. 23 – 28, 2009), all at the Academy of Music; and A CHORUS LINE (Dec. 16 – Dec. 21, 2008) at the Forrest Theatre.



Additional ’08-’09 shows will include: THE WIZARD OF OZ (Nov. 28 – 30, 2008); AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Jan. 9 – 11, 2009); JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2009); RENT (Feb. 3 – 8, 2009); RIVERDANCE – Farewell Tour (Mar. 31 – Apr. 5, 2009) and MOVIN’ OUT (May 15 – 17, 2009). Two upcoming musicals arriving this summer, MAMMA MIA! (July 15 – 27, 2008) and Monty Python’s SPAMALOT (Aug. 14 – 31, 2008) will also be included as ‘add-ons’ to the new subscription season.



Subscription packages are on sale now by calling 215-893-1955 or online at www.kimmelcenter.org/subs0809. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.



“We are thrilled to once again collaborate with the Shubert Organization in bringing the nation’s most popular and successful Broadway touring productions to the Philadelphia region,” said Kimmel Center, Inc. President and CEO Anne Ewers. “Our selection of Broadway offerings has grown every year thanks to the overwhelmingly positive response from our subscribers and the local theater community. We plan to continue our tradition of offering the ‘crème de le crème’ in Broadway musicals to the entire region.”



“Our new subscription season promises to be one of the most spectacular ever—and we are excited to be part of it,” said Gerald Schoenfeld, Chairman of the Shubert Organization, Inc. “By working together with the Kimmel Center, we are able to offer the Philadelphia theater community a larger selection of musical productions in two of Center City’s most beautiful and historic theatres.”



“It’s here, and it’s ‘AN ELLE OF A SHOW’ (Time Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is Broadway’s new smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE - The Musical (Dec. 2 – Dec. 7, 2008) is coming to Philadelphia to usher in the new subscription season.



LEGALLY BLONDE follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books anc sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law School. Along the way Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. After turning Broadway and MTV hot pink, this “Feel Good Song and Dance Juggernaut” (New York Magazine) is ‘The Best New Musical Around” (WOR).



Winner of nine Tony Awards, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the singular sensation A CHORUS LINE arrives at the Forrest Theatre (Dec. 16 – Dec. 21, 2008). In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed – to have the chance to dance. This is A CHORUS LINE, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. The longest-running American Broadway musical ever, A CHORUS LINE now returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best. “A CHORUS LINE is back, and it’s thrilling!” (John Lahr, The New Yorker)



Goodbye gray skies, hello Blue! Happy days are here again with Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the unforgettable “king of cool” Arthur ‘The Fonz” Fonzarelli. HAPPY DAYS – A New Musical, based on the hit Paramount Pictures’ television series makes its Philadelphia premiere (Mar. 24 – 29, 2009). HAPPY DAYS – A New Musical reintroduces one of America’s best loved families, the Cunninghams, and the days of 1959 Milwaukee complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops and jukebox sock-hoppin.. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hang-out, Arnold’s, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match. This perfectly family-friendly musical will have audiences rockin’ and rollin’ all week long!

HAPPY DAYS – A New Musical has a book by the legendary Garry Marshall, with music & lyrics by Oscar winning composer Paul Williams. Directed by Gordon Greenberg. Music Arrangements and Music Supervision by John McDaniel. Choregraphed by Michele Lynch.



You’ll believe a car can fly, when CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG soars into town (Apr. 7 – 12, 2009). The enthralling adventures of a magical car that sails the seas and flies through the air has been a family favorite since the original motion picture captivated the world’s imagination in 1968. It’s everything you could want in a musical – and more. Sensational sets, stunning special effects, an irresistible story, and an unforgettable Sherman Brothers musical score, including memorable classics like “Truly Scrumptious,” “Hushabye Mountain,” and of course, the Oscar-nominated title song, all add up to a Broadway blockbuster for the entire family.



SPRING AWAKENING (Jun. 23 – 28, 2009), Broadway’s most talked about new musical and now the biggest Tony Award-winner in years will make its Philadelphia premiere at the Academy of Music. SPRING AWAKENING is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock & roll that has awakened Broadway like no other musical in years. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, SPRING AWAKENING celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget. We agree with The New York Times “Broadway may never be the same again.” Haunting and Electrifying! This brave new musical has a shivery, sensual allure unmatched by anything in the theatre right now.” (Charles Isherwood, The New York Times).



Additional new shows available to subscribers will include:



There truly is no place like home, as the greatest family musical of all time, the wonderful WIZARD OF OZ, twists its way into Philadelphia (Nov. 28 – 30, 2008). The entire family will be captivated as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto, and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow in this lavish production featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. A spectacular celebration of the iconic MGM film, THE WIZARD OF OZ will blow you away from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you to a sazzling art deco Oz, complete with Munckins and Flying Monkeys.



It’s been 30 years since AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Jan. 9 – 11, 2009), Broadway’s smash-hit Fats Waller musical revue won six Tony Awards including Best New Musical. Now Richard Maltby, Jr., Tony Award-winning author and director of the 1978 premiere Broadway production, will re-create his original direction for the new 30th Anniversary National Tour. RUBEN STUDDARD, the 2003 American Idol Winner, joins a top-notch cast with a sassy all-star band live onstage. This outrageously prodigious comic and musical soul of 1930’s Harlem is a rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping production – still considered one of Broadway’s best-crafted revues of all time.



JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2009), the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, first exploded onto the scene in 1971, changing the world of musical theatre fovever. With a score of amazing songs – “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Hosanna,” “Everything’s Alright,” “What’s the Buzz,” “Superstar,” and “Heaven on Their Mind,” this original groundbreaking production starring Ted Neeley in the title role and Living Colour’s Corey Glover as Judas is as relevant and timely as ever.



RENT (Feb. 3 – 8, 2009) returns to the Academy of Music by popular demand! RENT is more than a show, it’s a phenomenon – a theatrical experience that transformed how a generation feels about musicals, changed Broadway forever, and inspired a major motion picture. Whether it’s your 1st time or your 100th time, it’s time you checked out RENT!



RIVERDANCE (Mar. 31 – Apr. 5, 2009), the thunderous celebration of Irish music, song and dance that has tapped its way onto the world stage thrilling millions of people around the globe, will play eight Farewell Performances at the Academy of Music. “A Phenomenon of Historic Proportions!” raves the Washington Post. “An explosion of sight and sound that simply takes your breath away,” cheers the Chicago Tribune. “A family evening unlike anthing else!” exclaims The London Times. Discover why nothing in the world compares to the original international phenomenon! Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, you won’t want to miss these Farewell performances of RIVERDANCE.



Five-time Grammy winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create the spectacular Broadway musical MOVIN’ OUT (May 15 – 17, 2008). Time Magazine declares it “The #1 show of the year.” The New York Times calls it “a shimmering portrait of an American generation. These tornado driven dancers and rock musicians propel the audience into delirious ovations.” MOVIN OUT brings 24 Billy Joel classics to electrifying new life as it tells the story of five life-long friends over two turbulent decades. It all adds up to one unforgettable Broadway musical.



Subscription ticket prices for the 2008-2009 Cadillac Broadway Series season range from $78.50 to $500. To order tickets or for more information on subscription packages call 215-893-1955 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org/subs0809. Groups of 15 or more call 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947. Visit online at www.kimmelcenter.org/groupsales or www.telecharge.com/groups. Single tickets will go on sale at a later date.



Cadillac Broadway Series subscribers are offered a variety of exclusive privileges including the first opportunity to select the best seats in the house and the option to renew these seats every year. Subscribers are also entitled to discounts of up to 33% on additional Cadillac Broadway Series shows and Kimmel Center Presents performances, in addition to up to 50% savings for both senior citizens and students. A special 50/50 payment plan, along with restaurant and retail discounts are also available to subscribers. A convenient flexible ticket exchange program allows subscribers to exchange tickets for another performance of the same show.



All performances of 2008-2009 Cadillac Broadway Series are supported by Cadillac, CITI, Target, WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Cadillac Broadway Series.