Shea's Performing Arts Center unveiled its 2013-14 M & T Bank Broadway Series Thursday night.
Season subscribers are pretty excited about the theater's upcoming 26th Broadway Season, so excited that 1,200 them showed up Thursday evening at Shea's to hear what will be on the main stage as well as 710 Main Street. WBFO'S Mike Desmond was there for the unveiling. Desmond says Joey from War Horse was the hit of the Shea's party announcing next season.
“The season we are introducing includes five TONY Award-winning shows that were on Broadway last season. It is only through their support of our programming that this is possible. Also, in response to the audience surveys we have conducted over the past few years, we are excited to be presenting a dramatic play as part of our upcoming season," said Anthony Conte, president of Shea's.
“I am thrilled with the success we have seen at Shea’s with the growth of our subscription base and the reputation that Shea’s has in the touring Broadway community. We are very appreciative for the support of our subscribers over the years in helping us become one of the top one-week subscription markets in the country. We look forward to another spectacular Broadway Season and continuing to provide an exceptional entertainment experience,” said Albert Nocciolino, producer.
The 2013-2014 M & T Bank Broadway Series:
GHOST THE MUSICAL OCTOBER 15 – 20, 2013
Relive the iconic and magical moments from the Oscar-winning movie GHOST in a brand-new Broadway musical. GHOST The Musical breathes glorious new life into a timeless love story. The musical features an original pop score from multiple Grammy Award-winners Dave Stewart, one half of the 80s pop duo the Eurythmics, and Glen Ballard, co-writer with Alanis Morissette on the multi-platinum album Jagged Little Pill, among many other notable credits and collaborations. The musical’s tale of everlasting love is thrilling entertainment for audiences of all ages.
Adapted from the hit film by its Academy Award-winning screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin, GHOST The Musical follows Sam and Molly, a young couple whose connection takes a shocking turn after Sam's untimely death. Trapped between two worlds, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave danger. Desperate to communicate with her, he turns to a storefront psychic who helps him protect Molly and avenge his death.
WAR HORSE NOVEMBER 12 -17, 2013
A heart-warming tale of loyalty and friendship, and winner of FIVE 2011 Tony Awards®, WAR HORSE tells the story of young Albert and his beloved horse Joey. When Joey is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France, he is soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. The story of this dramatic play is set in World War I England.
This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that is currently playing to packed houses in London and around the world. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride. “A Landmark Theater Event” – TIME Magazine
DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL DECEMBER 17 – 22, 2013
Broadway holiday sensation, which features the hit songs “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” (written by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss) from the original animated series, makes its long awaited Buffalo debut. 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. Magnificent sets (John Lee Beatty) and costumes (Robert Morgan) inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, while the Music and Book of Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason breathe new life into this timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t miss what The New York Times calls “AN EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE!100 times better than any bedtime story.”www.grinchmusical.com
THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS MARCH 11 – 16, 2014
See what Time Magazine exclaims is, “A don’t miss theatre event! The #1 Broadway musical of the year.” Winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is hitting the road in a stunning and stirring new staging, including such legendary songs as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty of Nothing.” The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess features one of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams, led by Tony-nominated director DIANE PAULUS (Hair), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright SUZAN-LORI PARKS (Topdog/Underdog), and two-time Obie Award-winning composer DIEDRE L. MURRAY (Running Man), bringing George and Ira Gershwin’s legendary masterwork to the Broadway stage for the first time in more than 35 years. www.porgyandbessthemusical.com
ONCE MARCH 25 - 30, 2014
Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL, ONCE is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who's about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, ONCE draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It's an unforgettable story about going for your dreams... not living in fear... and the power of music to connect all of us. www.oncemusical.com
EVITA JUNE 10 – 15, 2014
TIM RICE and ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER's Tony Award®-winning musical returns at last!
Eva Perón used her beauty and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady. Adored by her people as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world — while her greed, outsized ambition and fragile health made her one of the most tragic. EVITA tells Eva's passionate and unforgettable true story, and features some of theater's most beautiful songs, including "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" and "High Flying, Adored." Don't miss the stunning new production of EVITA, directed by MICHAEL GRANDAGE and choreographed by ROB ASHFORD, that Channel 4 New York calls “THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN!” www.evitaonbroadway.com
2013-2014 Special Engagements include:
Neglia Ballet Artists’ THE NUTCRACKER NOV. 30 & DEC. 1, 2013
Neglia Ballet Artists, The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Shea’s collaborate for the fifth consecutive season to present Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet The Nutcracker on Thanksgiving weekend. www.negliaballet.org
WICKED JANUARY 8 – 26, 2014
Back by “Popular” demand. Variety calls WICKED "a cultural phenomenon.” Each time it plays at Shea's, it breaks box office records and sells out. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times).
Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One - born with emerald green skin - is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for "the most complete - and completely satisfying - new musical in a long time" (USA Today). www.wickedthemusical.com
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST APRIL 29 – MAY 4, 2014
The award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical returns to Shea’s. The original creators of the Broadway production are together again for this new touring production. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast features the animated film’s Academy Award®-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The show has become an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 21 countries. www.beautyandthebeastontour.com
710 Main Theatre
I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE SEPT. 17 – OCT. 13, 2013
I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE is the brand-new hit stage show adapted from the most beloved program in television history! It’s 1952 and you are a member of the Desilu Playhouse studio audience awaiting the filming of two hilarious and oh-so-familiar I LOVE LUCY® episodes. A charming host entertains and enlightens you to the behind-the-scenes filming process of this brand new thing called “television,” the Crystaltone Singers perform advertising jingles in perfect 50s style harmony and the sidesplitting antics of America’s favorite foursome – Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel – are presented live on stage and in color for the very first time! It’s a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience TV Guide’s William Keck calls “the most entertaining stage production I’ve seen in years – including Broadway!” The truth is in the title – whether young or old, everybody really does LOVE LUCY! www.Ilovelucylive.com.
SEASON TICKETS TO THE 2013-14 M & T Bank BROADWAY SERIES ARE ON SALE NOW. To order, call (716) 847-0850, go to www.sheas.org or to the Shea’s Ticket Office, 650 Main Street. There are many season ticket holder benefits including priority seating, exchange privileges, convenient payment plans, parking plan (first-come, first-serve basis) and first opportunity to purchase tickets to the Broadway Series shows and Special Engagements. Subscribers will have the opportunity to purchase the Special Engagements Wicked and I Love Lucy at the time of their renewal or new order of Broadway Series season tickets. To book a group (15+ for all shows except Wicked which is 20+), call 716-829-1154. Upcoming single ticket on sale dates will be posted to www.sheas.org when that information becomes available.
