Heather Headley, CINDERELLA, and More Join MOULIN ROUGE! in Emerson Colonial's Season

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) announces new entertainment offerings that will arrive at the newly refurbished Emerson Colonial Theatre this fall following this summer's world premiere pre-Broadway engagement of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

The opening season welcomes the return of the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein to the historic venue with a two-week holiday engagement of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Tony Award winner Heather Headley brings one of three concert dates in the country to the Colonial for one night only. Additional events in the line-up of new shows include A Night with Michael McDonald, Rufus Wainwright: All These Poses Anniversary Tour, Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, as well as holiday offerings The Hip Hop Nutcracker and Manheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis.

"This summer, we are reviving the tradition of Broadway shows being born in Boston. This holiday season, we are honored to revive the legacy of Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Colonial with the Boston return of Cinderella," says Kristin Caskey, Executive Vice President of Content and Creative, ATG North America. and Stephen Lewin, CEO, ATG North America. "We look forward to presenting this diverse array of new programming, providing a reason for new and existing audiences to experience the Colonial. There's something for everyone here, and there is a lot more to come. We look forward to welcoming guests from Boston and beyond. "

Current 2018 Programming Schedule:

• Moulin Rouge! The Musical: July 10 - August 19, 2018
• Michael McDonald: Saturday, September 22, 2018
• Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games: Friday, September 28, 2018
• Heather Headley: Broadway My Way: Saturday, November 3, 2018
• Rufus Wainwright: All These Poses Anniversary Tour: Wednesday, December 5, 2018
• Manheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis: Saturday, December 8, 2018
• The Hip Hop Nutcracker: Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16, 2018
• Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 - Sunday, December 30, 2018

Tickets for these events, as well as for Moulin Rouge! The Musical may be purchased online at emersoncolonialtheatre.com, by calling 888.616.0272 or by visiting the newly-opened box office at the Emerson Colonial Theatre at 106 Boylston Street in Boston. The box office is open weekdays at 12 noon, Saturdays at 10 a.m. and closed on Sundays. Online and phone ticket purchases are subject to standard service fees.

As previously announced, Ambassador Theatre Group - the world's number one live-theatre company, has entered into a long-term lease agreement with Emerson College to operate the landmark venue.

Michael McDonald

Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 8 p.m.

Tickets start at $49.50

On Sale Friday, June 29, 2018 at 10 a.m.

With a career that encompasses five Grammys® numerous chart successes and personal and professional accolades, as well as collaborations with some of the world's most prominent artists, Michael McDonald remains an enduring force in popular music.

Hailing from St. Louis, McDonald arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, honing his talents as a studio musician before becoming an integral part of Steely Dan. In the mid-'70s, McDonald was invited to join the Doobie Brothers as the band redefined their sound with McDonald serving as a singer, keyboardist and songwriter on such Top 40 singles as "Takin' it to the Streets," "It Keeps You Runnin'," "Minute by Minute," and "What a Fool Believes." Throughout the '80s and '90s, McDonald's solo career took off with a string of hits including "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," "Sweet Freedom," "On my Own" (with Patti LaBelle) and the Grammy-winning James Ingram duet, "Yah Mo B There." He also co-wrote the Van Halen hit, "I'll Wait."

McDonald has performed with a who's-who of critically acclaimed artists across a number of genres, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill and Grizzly Bear.

McDonald's most recent album "Wide Open," is his first album of original material in 17 years and is comprised largely of material written over a number of years in-between projects and recorded in McDonald's Nashville studio with drummer Shannon Forrest (Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Tim McGRaw, Toto) and an extensive cast of Nashville session musicians.

Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games

Friday, September 28, 2018 at 8 p.m.

Tickets start at $49

On Sale Now

Lord of the Dance premiered in London two decades ago, and in 2014 Michael Flatley transformed the show into something even more thrilling than the original.

Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, with music composed by Gerard Fahy, premiered at the iconic London Palladium in September 2014 to mark the milestone 20thanniversary since Michael Flatley became an international sensation. The show continues to thrill audiences around the globe with its intoxicating mix of dance and music that fuses the traditional with the contemporary in a classic tale that showcases the exceptional talent of the cast.

The show features cutting edge technology, including a giant Radiant flat screen that spans the width of the stage, special effects, lighting, dancing robots and world champion acrobats.

Heather Headley: Broadway My Way

Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 8 p.m.

Tickets Start at $35

On Sale Now

Heather Headley made her Broadway debut as "Nala" in the original Broadway

cast of Disney's The Lion King and went on to win Tony® and Drama Desk Awards for her critically-acclaimed portrayal of the title role in Aida. She earned an Olivier Award nomination for her West End stage debut in The Bodyguard and returned to Broadway most recently in the Tony-winning revival of The Color Purple. In Broadway My Way, Headley presents an evening of beloved Broadway songs, as well as several personal selections, arranged specifically for her unmatched vocal talents.

Rufus Wainwright: All These Poses Anniversary Tour

Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Tickets start at $39.50

On Sale Now

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright is embarking on a highly-anticipated North American tour to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of his eponymous debut, which first burst him onto the music scene. Immediately beloved and critically acclaimed, both Rufus and the record were widely hailed as a breakthrough. It influenced many artists that came after him and set the path for his illustrious career ever since.

Wainwright and his band will perform material from both "Rufus Wainwright" (1998) and "Poses" (2001).

"20 years, what can I say? In life, one stands the test of time, but in music, thankfully, one reaps the rewards," Wainwright says. "Come savor a very fine vintage of songs. Those were some pretty good years!"

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis

Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets start at $55

On Sale Now

The ultimate holiday tradition returns!

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America's favorite holiday tradition for over 30 years. Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with a selection of compositions from his groundbreaking Fresh Aire series, which introduced the distinctive Mannheim sound to all of America.

The show celebrates the group's recent anniversary of 30 years since the first Christmas album and 40 years since the first Fresh Aire album. Mannheim Steamroller's holiday CDs have become synonymous with Christmas and continue to occupy top spots on Billboard's Season Charts every year.

Experience the magic with dazzling multimedia effects in the intimate Colonial as the spirit of the season comes alive with the Signature Sound of Mannheim Steamroller.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Saturday, December 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $45

On Sale Now

The contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky's timeless music returns to Boston!

Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a full-length production featuring a dozen all-star dancers, an on-stage DJ and an electric violinist. The traditional classic Tchaikovsky score beautifully complements the power moves of these 12 dancers with transitional and incidental music re-mixed and re-imagined, helping to bring a beautifully surprising contemporary vibe to the production.

Just like the classic Nutcracker story, Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffman's beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of a colorful and contemporary New York City. Through the modern, self-expressive gaze of hip hop culture, the dynamic performers ofThe Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrate the magic of the entire holiday season on the most inclusive holiday of them all - New Year's Eve, a time for new beginnings.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Tuesday, December 18 - Sunday, December 30, 2018

Tickets start at $39.50

On Sale Now

The 2013 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The King and I and The Sound of Music returns to Boston.

With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella combines the story's classic elements - glass slippers, pumpkin and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right show size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams, too.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II. Originally directed by Mark Brokaw and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, the tour is directed by Gina Rattan and choreographed by Lee Wilkins. Music adaptation and arrangements are by David Chase and music supervision is by Greg Anthony Rassen. Orchestrations are by Bill Elliott and are adapted from the original Broadway orchestrations by Danny Troob.

One of Rodgers + Hammerstein's most popular titles, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella was written for television, debuting in 1957 starring Julie Andrews. In 2013, the show made its long-overdue Broadway debut. Along with Cinderella, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's legendary musicals include Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, South Pacific and The Sound of Music.

Mr. Bean's book for Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella blends masterfully with the musical's cherished score with songs including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"

The creative team includes scenic design by Tony Award nominee Anna Louizos, costume design by six-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony Award nominee Nevin Steinberg.

The Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella tour is produced by Work Light Productions. Cinderella was produced on Broadway by Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman, Stephen Kocis, Edward Walson, Venetian Glass Productions The Araca Group, Luigi Caiola & Rose Caiola, Roy Furman, Walt Grossman, Peter May/Sanford Robertson, Glass Slipper Productions LLC/Eric Schmidt, Ted Liebowitz/James Spry, Blanket Fort Productions and in association with Center Theatre Group.

www.EmersonColonialTheatre.com

Photo by Nathan Johnson

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