Shea's Announces Exciting 2017-18 Broadway Season

Shea's Performing Arts Center and Broadway Partner/Producer Albert Nocciolino present the M&T Bank 2017-18 Broadway Series, featuring multiple Tony-Award® winning musicals, Broadway hits, and the FIRST NATIONAL TOUR of ON YOUR FEET LAUNCHING IN BUFFALO!

President of Shea's Michael G. Murphy said, "On behalf of Shea's Board and staff, I extend deep thanks to our subscribers, donors, volunteers, sponsors, and the entire Buffalo-Niagara community for their tremendous support of Shea's. This support along with tax credit legislation passed in Albany last year has resulted in our second opportunity to launch a major National Tour in Buffalo. The launch will create substantial economic impact for Western New York. We look forward to opening another great season in 2017-18 in September with On Your Feet."

Co-Presenter of Broadway productions at Shea's for 30 years and Producer Albert Nocciolino expressed his excitement about the evolution and success over the years and the upcoming 2017-18 Broadway Season. "I'm 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're very excited to be able to launch the On Your Feet National Tour right here in Buffalo at Shea's! We thank our subscribers for their support over the years in helping us become one of the top one-week subscription markets in the country and look forward to another spectacular Broadway Season," he said.

This is the 18th season with M&T Bank as the title sponsor of the Shea's Broadway Series. "We couldn't be happier in our partnership with Shea's, bringing these outstanding Broadway performances to Western New York and Southern Ontario audiences for all these years," said Shelley C. Drake, President, The M&T Charitable Foundation. "Shea's has been a key factor in attracting people to downtown Buffalo through good times and tough times. Now that downtown is again enjoying growth, Shea's will continue to be its anchor on Main Street."

M&T Bank 2017-18 Subscription Series:

ON YOUR FEET Sep. 23 - 30, 2017

From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. From international superstardom to life-threatening tragedy, ON YOUR FEET! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys), and an original book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), ON YOUR FEET! brings to Buffalo some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century - and one of the most inspiring stories in music history.

"IT WILL RENEW YOUR FAITH IN THE AMERICAN DREAM" - Huffington Post

"PACKED WITH A SEDUCTIVE BEAT, TENDER HEART AND GENUINE JOY!" - Hollywood Reporter

"THE VERY AIR IN THE ROOM SEEMS TO VIBRATE IN THIS UNDENIABLY CROWD-PLEASING MUSICAL!" - The New York Times

THE BODYGUARD Oct. 24 - 29, 2017

Based on the smash hit film, this award-winning musical will star Grammy® Award-nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox! Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don't expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time - I Will Always Love You.

With the story of Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominatEd Warner Bros. film and adapted by Academy Award-winner (Birdman) Alexander Dinelaris, THE BODYGUARD had its world premiere in London's West End where it was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and won Best New Musical at the Whatsonstage Awards. "It started with a gunshot and kept us on the edge of our seats from the outset. Exciting, thrilling, uplifting, moving - The Bodyguard is a truly exceptional show!"- Southern Daily Echo

WAITRESS Feb. 6 - 11, 2018

Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave," "Love Song"), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland). "It's an empowering musical of the highest order!" raves the Chicago Tribune. Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

"WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!" says Entertainment Weekly and "a monumental contribution to Broadway!" according to Marie Claire. "Don't miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie."

"THE WOMEN OF WAITRESS ARE CHANGING BROADWAY!" - Time Magazine.

SOMETHING ROTTEN Mar. 6 - 11, 2018

Direct from Broadway, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a "big, fat hit!" (New York Post). Set in the '90s - the 1590s - this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom (Tony® nominee Rob McClure and Broadway's Josh Grisetti), two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the "rock star" Shakespeare (Tony® nominee Adam Pascal) keeps getting all the hits. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL! With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is "The Producers + Spamalot + The Book of Mormon. Squared!" - New York Magazine.

SCHOOL OF ROCK Apr. 3 - 8, 2018

SCHOOL OF ROCK is a New York Times Critics' Pick and "AN INSPIRING JOLT OF ENERGY, JOY AND MAD SKILLZ!" (Entertainment Weekly). Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and musical theatre's first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage. Vanity Fair raves, "FISTS OF ALL AGES SHALL BE PUMPING!"

LOVE NEVER DIES June 5 - 10, 2018

This story of boundless love, full of passion and drama, follows Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, one of the most successful musicals of all time, which has now been seen by more than 130 million people worldwide and is the winner of over 50 international awards. The ultimate love story continues in LOVE NEVER DIES, Andrew Lloyd Webber's spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.

The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives among the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. In this new, electrically charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daaé. Now one of the world's finest sopranos, Christine accepts an invitation to travel from Paris to New York to perform at a renowned opera house.

Christine's marriage to Raoul is suffering at the hands of his drinking and gambling and they desperately need the financial rewards that America can give them. In a final bid to win back Christine's love, the Phantom lures her, Raoul, and their young son Gustave, from Manhattan to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island... not knowing what is in store for them...

LOVE NEVER DIES is a dazzling new production, which takes audiences on a thrilling rollercoaster ride of intrigue, obsession and romance. Be seduced by the beautiful; sometimes magical and poetic; sometimes joyful; and occasionally melancholic score. "Beautiful and haunting" - Baz Bamingboye, Daily Mail

Special Subscriber Option

Disney's THE LION KING Dec. 13, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018

More than 90 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney's THE LION KING, and now you can too when Western New York's best-loved musical returns to Shea's Buffalo Theatre. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features some of Broadway's most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.

Subscribers have the option to add The Lion King to their 2017-18 Subscription Package or to order tickets prior to the general public on sale.

2016-17 Special Engagement

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Apr. 23 - May 6, 2018

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA returns to Buffalo as part of a brand new North American Tour. This production, which retains the beloved story and thrilling score, boasts exciting new special effects, scenic and lighting designs, staging and choreography and has been hailed by critics as "bigger and better than ever before." See this new production of THE PHANTOM and then enjoy its compelling sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES.

HAMILTON! COMING TO BUFFALO! 2018-19 SEASON

Shea's subscribers must renew their subscription for the 2017-2018 Shea's M&T Bank Broadway Series and will have first access to Hamilton seats when the show comes to Buffalo in the 2018-2019 Season!*

*2017-18 SUBSCRIBERS MUST RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE 2018-2019 SEASON TO GAIN FIRST ACCESS TO TICKETS TO HAMILTON.

SEASON TICKETS TO THE M&T BANK 2017-18 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. To book a group (15+), call 716-829-1153. Upcoming single ticket on sale dates will be posted to www.sheas.org when that information becomes available.

Shea's Broadway Series sponsors are M&T Bank, The Buffalo News and WKBW-TV.

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Shows, dates, times, prices, and artists subject to change.

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