The Rochester Broadway Theatre League announced its 2015-16 season Wednesday evening. The energetic six-show lineup opens with "Newsies" on October 6, and includes "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," "Matilda" on its first U.S. tour, the soulful "Motown," and "White Christmas" making a holiday appearance. "Dirty Dancing" will end the season beginning May 10, 2016.
Also announced were two special engagements: a new production of "The Wizard of Oz" with songs from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Blue Man Group returns to Rochester in February.
The six-show season subscription includes:
"Newsies" (October 6 through October 11) is Disney's stage musical based on the 1992 movie about the 1899 newsboys strike in New York City. The stage show features a score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman with a book by Harvey Fierstein.
"Motown" (November 10 through 15) tells the story of Berry Gordy's founding of the Motown record label and the rise of the iconic music that shaped that era.
"White Christmas" (December 15 through December 20) is the stage adaptation of Irving Berlin's holiday classic.
"Beautiful" (March 8 through March 13). Before her album "Tapestry" exploded in 1971, Carole King penned more than twenty chart hits for other artists. "Beautiful" tells King's story from starting as a songwriter to her breakout.
"Matilda" (April 12 through April 17), based on Roald Dahl's well-known book, was written by Dennis Kelly, with music by comedian and musician Tim Minchin. The musical premiered in England in 2010, crossed to Broadway in 2013, and will be on its first U.S. national tour when it comes through Rochester.
"Dirty Dancing" (May 10 through 15). The well-known flick was adapted for stage in 2004 and has since been performed internationally.
Special shows announced:
"The Wizard of Oz" (TBD for January 2016) is a new production developed from the MGM screenplay. While most of the music will be familiar, there are a few new songs from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
"Blue Man Group" (TBD for February 2016). Blue dudes are coming back in Rochester.
Six-show season ticket packages beginning at $225 are now on sale. Individual ticket sales are not yet available. All shows will take place at the Auditorium Theatre (885 East Main Street) For more information on visit rbtl.org or call 585-222-5000.
