Broadway's Back In New Orleans With Broadway Across America's 09-10 Season

At a celebratory event today, New Orleans Theatre Association (NOTA), in partnership with Broadway Across America, announced that after a four year absence from New Orleans, Broadway theater will return to the City in October 2009. The announcement was made by C. Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, and Michael Mitchell, President of NOTA. The Broadway Across America 2009-2010 season kicks off with a special engagement of Cats, October 27-November 1; followed by The Color Purple, December 1-6; Mamma Mia!, February 2-7; Wicked, March 24-April 11; and Avenue Q, June 8-13.

In the months that followed the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, the world opened its hearts and wallets to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to the citizens of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. Fundraising events were held all over the nation, including within the Broadway theatrical community, providing economic and emotional relief to those who were suffering. In the months and years that have followed, New Orleanians have been working very hard to re-build their communities and their lives.

New Orleans' continuing return to normalcy has been underscored by the steady return of cherished institutions. In the sports world, major strides were made with the return of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Hornets. In the performing arts world, the New Orleans Opera, New Orleans Ballet and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra all triumphantly returned earlier this spring, yet a continuing refrain throughout the city has been, "When will Broadway be back?"

"Broadway is officially back," says Mayor C. Ray Nagin, "and the $22 million investment the City made in the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, along with the $6 million in Armstrong Park improvements and beautifications, is paying great dividends to the citizens of our community." David Skinner, General Manager for Arts Center Enterprises, which manages the Mahalia Jackson Theater on behalf of the City, agrees, "We are expecting more than 100,000 patrons to attend these Broadway performances in this first season back." Skinner continues, "We have been working hard for a long time, and are very pleased with the selection of shows that will be featured in the ‘Re-Inaugural' 2009-2010 season." The Broadway Across America season will be presented in its entirety at the newly renovated Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in Armstrong Park.

Michael Mitchell, President of the New Orleans Theatre Association, is tremendously pleased that all of the hard work in the past years is finally bearing fruit. "As the presenter of the Broadway Series before Katrina, NOTA had the privilege of providing our community with top notch touring Broadway shows. Through our efforts we also helped support the New Orleans theatrical and music community in the form of grants to local non-profit organizations. We look forward to continuing this mission by bringing back Broadway to New Orleans. We encourage everyone to support these first class productions, support the downtown restaurants and come and enjoy this beautifully restored City theatre inside Armstrong Park," he added.

The Broadway industry is also looking forward to New Orleans' return as a viable market for touring theatrical productions. "Broadway shows feed the soul," says Steven Winton, President of Broadway Across America, "We look forward to providing this ‘nourishment' once again, to all our friends in New Orleans." Winton believes that many of their shows will have a regional appeal. "We're convinced that residents from the broader Gulf Coast Region currently not on the Broadway circuit will have an interest in traveling to a destination city like New Orleans, in order to take advantage of world class hospitality combined with a great Broadway Show."

05/06 Season Ticket Holders of the Broadway Series at the Saenger Theatre are being contacted now and will receive priority handling. Anyone interested in becoming a new subscriber and purchasing season tickets for the 09/10 Season can call 800-218-SHOW (7469) Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. or log on to www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Season subscribers enjoy the privilege of priority ticket opportunities, lost ticket insurance, and exchange privileges on their existing seats. A 4-show season subscription is available at this time, and the prices range from $112 up to $386 per season ticket. Subscribers also have priority access to purchase great seats to the Season Special CATS before they go on sale to the general public. On-sale dates for single tickets to individual shows will be announced in the coming months.

For additional information on the 09/10 Broadway Across America - New Orleans Season at the Mahalia Jackson Theater call 800-218-SHOW (7469) Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Mahalia Jackson Theater is located in Armstrong Park at 801 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Information on the Broadway Across America - New Orleans series and venue policies and accommodations may be obtained online at www.mahaliajacksontheater.com. Group Sales information is available at 504-287-0398. Box Office information is available at 504-287-0351.