SIDE SHOW & More Set for Kennedy Center's 2013-14 Season

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced its 2013-2014 theater season. Reaching hundreds of thousands of audience members annually, the theater season features a new Kennedy Center re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show, in association with La Jolla Playhouse with revisions by Krieger and Russell and direction by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon; touring productions of Sister Act, Elf, Flashdance - The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, and Disney's The Lion King; and an international theater festival highlighting renowned companies from around the world. The season will also bring the seventh season of Barbara Cook's Spotlight series, individually showcasing five Broadway performers in a cabaret setting. Committed to arts education, creation of new works, and community and national involvement, the Center also hosts the 12th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival and the 46th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

PAGE-TO-STAGE, August 31, 2013 - September 2, 2013, Throughout the Center

The Kennedy Center hosts its 12th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival over Labor Day weekend, featuring more than 40 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The three-day, Center-wide event offers a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals being developed by local, regional, and national playwrights, librettists, and composers in locations throughout the Center.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, September 24, 2013 - October 6, 2013, Eisenhower Theater

Back by popular demand, the Tony Award winning musical, directed by Eric Schaeffer and featuring a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, Million Dollar Quartet returns to the Kennedy Center after a sold-out three-week engagement in December 2012. On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions of all time. The show brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel , R&B and country hits including; "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog," and more.

SISTER ACT, October 29, 2013 - November 10, 2013, Opera House

Featuring original music by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), Sister Act tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look-a convent. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is reason to rejoice.

BARBARA COOK'S SPOTLIGHT, November 1, 2013 - May 2, 2014, Terrace Theater

Now in its seventh season, Broadway legend Barbara Cook selects preeminent Broadway talent to perform on the Kennedy Center stage in a cabaret-style performance as part of her Spotlight series. The five performers in the 2013-2014 season include Tommy Tune on November 1, 2013; Lucie Arnaz on November 8, 2013; Patina Miller on December 6, 2013; Brian d'Arcy James on March 7, 2014; and Megan Hilty on May 2, 2014.

ELF, December 17, 2013 - January 5, 2014, Opera House

One of the most beloved Hollywood holiday hits of the past decade is born again-live on stage. Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy's enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).

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