Segerstrom Center for the Arts Unveils 2011-12 B'way Season

On Monday, March 7, Segerstrom Center for the Arts (formerly the Orange County Performing Arts Center) announced its brand new Broadway Series for the 2011 – 2012 Season, a year which also coincides with the Center's 25th Anniversary. The Center's very first performance was held on September 29, 1986. Now, nearly 25 years later, Segerstrom Center for the Arts will honor its history and tradition of presenting acclaimed artists, renowned companies and exciting shows with performances spanning an array of disciplines in each of the venues of its expanded campus.

For it's BROADWAY SERIES, the Center will host touring companies of SHREK THE MUSICAL, Blue Man Group, Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, Million Dollar Quartet, LES MISÉRABLES, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, plus "Curtain Call Series" shows COME FLY AWAY, TRACES and AMERICAN IDIOT.

"We have much to celebrate, and we look forward to welcoming the entire community to the Center throughout the season. Orange County has so generously supported and encouraged us through the years, so it is a particular pleasure to announce an anniversary season that holds an especially exciting and eclectic array of wonderful performances, artists, special events and artistic initiatives that offer something for everyone, " said Center President Terrence W. Dwyer. "We have created a 25th Anniversary Season with premieres, debuts and some adventurous artistic programs. As a special thank you to our community, we are also proud to announce an ACCESS for ALL initiative, which will make $10 tickets available to performances throughout the season to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to join in the celebration. I encourage everyone to visit often and to explore what we believe is a season that celebrates the very best in the performing arts."

Another special initiative of the celebratory season will be the launch of CenterTix, a new mobile app that will allow patrons to explore upcoming performances, buy tickets, and learn more about what's coming to the Center with photos, videos and much more. CenterTix will be available at no charge through Apple's App Store for use on its iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad devices.

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BROADWAY SERIES
Shrek the Musical • Blue Man Group • Irving Berlin's White Christmas • Million Dollar Quartet • Les Misérables • La Cage aux Folles

Broadway's biggest hits are headed to Segerstrom Center in our two popular series featuring eight Center premieres and the return of the epic hit Les Misérables. Audiences will have the opportunity to see eight shows for the first time ever at the Center – Shrek the Musical, Blue Man Group, White Christmas, Million Dollar Quartet, La Cage aux Folles, Come Fly Away, Traces and American Idiot.

SHREK THE MUSICAL • Center Premiere
October 4 – 16, 2011

Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to life on stage. Shrek the Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales. Featuring a terrific score of 19 all-new songs, big laughs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, WWOR-TV proclaims Shrek the Musical is "far, far and away the funniest new musical on Broadway!"

BLUE MAN GROUP • Center Premiere
November 8 – 20, 2011

Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as "One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged." E! Entertainment News exclaims, "Blue Man Group is what every live performance aspires to be." Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that Blue Man Group is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, Blue Man Group is perfect for people of all ages, languages and cultures. Blue Man Group is now on the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else – guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget!

Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS • Center Premiere
December 13, 2011 – January 1, 2012

Southern California is guaranteed a White Christmas this year! The beloved Irving Berlin movie comes to life as a spectacular musical for a special three-week holiday engagement. Brimming with such Berlin hits as "Blue Skies," "How Deep is the Ocean?" and, of course, the unforgettable title song, Irving Berlin's White Christmas tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, Irving Berlin's White Christmas promises to be a merry and bright theatrical experience for the whole family!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET • Center Premiere
April 24 – May 6, 2012

Million Dollar Quartet is the Tony® Award-winning smash hit Broadway musical inspired by the true story of the famed recording session where Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," brought together icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one unforgettable night. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary session 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.

LES MISÉRABLES: The 25th Anniversary Production
June 12 – 24, 2012

Dream the Dream. Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical, Les Misérables, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The New York Times calls this Les Misérables "an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish." NY1-TV proclaims "this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. Musical theatre fans can rejoice: 'Les Miz' is born again." Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score includes the classic songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Master Of The House" and many more.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES • Center Premiere
July 24 – August 5, 2012

Winner of three Tony® Awards including Best Musical Revival, this hilarious new production of La Cage aux Folles was the biggest hit of the 2010 Broadway season, leaving audiences in stitches night after night! La Cage aux Folles tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges' son brings his fiancée's conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly! La Cage is a tuneful and touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together... stay fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves! With a glorious score of hummable melodies and a dynamite cast featuring the "notorious and dangerous Cagelles," La Cage is an indisputable musical comedy classic... and this extraordinary new version shows you why!

CURTAIN CALL SERIES
Come Fly Away • Traces • American Idiot

COME FLY AWAY • Center Premiere
January 31 – February 5, 2012

Come Fly Away is the new Broadway musical that brings together the legendary music of Frank Sinatra and the creative vision of Tony® Award winner Twyla Tharp (Movin' Out). This one-of-a-kind experience combines the seductive vocals of "Ol' Blue Eyes" with the sizzling sound of a live on-stage band and the visceral thrill of Tharp's choreography. As 15 of the world's best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love, you will experience the exhilaration of a first kiss, the excitement of a first dance, and the bittersweet moments of a first good-bye in a world of sparkling romance and astonishing beauty. Come Fly Away features a score of beloved Sinatra classics including "Fly Me to the Moon," "My Way,"
"New York, New York" and "Makin' Whoopee."

TRACES • Center Premiere
February 28 – March 4, 2012

Combining extraordinary acrobatic feats, music, film, narration and dance, seven performers deliver gravity-defying displays of skill that are fresh, urban and inventive. The artists' wide-ranging talent includes traditional Chinese acrobatics, tumbling through hoops and leaping spectacularly on giant poles. Poetic and explosive, funny and thoughtful, Traces creates an experience that surprises and delights all ages. Traces takes the audience into an exhilarating world where creation flourishes, relationships are real, emotions are raw, and you never know what's coming next. These versatile artists don't just engage in high-risk acrobatics, they bare their souls through music, dance, drawing and spoken word – as they attempt to leave a lasting mark: traces of who they are. "Family friendly and urban date night cool," wrote Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune.

AMERICAN IDIOT • Center Premiere
May 29 – June 3, 2012

Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical American Idiot tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Based on Green Day's Grammy® Award winning multi-platinum album and featuring the hits "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "21 Guns," "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "Holiday" and the blockbuster title track, American Idiot boldly takes the American musical where it's never gone before. With direction by Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), choreography by Stephen Hoggett (Black Watch) and orchestrations and arrangements Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), the result is an experience Charles Isherwood of The New York Times declares "thrilling, emotionally charged, and as moving as any Broadway musical I've seen this year!"

OTHER NOTABLE SHOWS

John Tartaglia'S IMAGINOCEAN • Center Premiere
February 4 & 5, 2012

Tony Award-nominee John Tartaglia originated the roles of Princeton and Rod in the Tony-winning Avenue Q. He has also appeared in many other Broadway productions, was one of the youngest puppeteers ever to perform on Sesame Street and has hosted the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts. A one-of-a-kind live black-light puppet show, Tartaglia's ImaginOcean is a magical undersea adventure. Tank, Bubbles and Dorsel, who just happen to be fish and best friends, set out on a remarkable journey of discovery. It all starts with a treasure map. As they swim off in search of clues, they sing, dance and make new friends, including everyone in the audience.

RIVERDANCE
October 28 – 30, 2011

Experience the original! Now in its 16th phenomenal year, Riverdance, the internationally acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance that has touched the hearts of millions around the world, returns to Segerstrom Center. "An explosion of sight and sound that simply takes your breath away," cheers the Chicago Tribune. "A family evening unlike anything else!" raves The Times (London). Discover why nothing in the world compares to the original! Whether it's your first time or your fifth, there is no better time to share the magic of Riverdance with your family. Ticket prices will be $20 - $70. Tickets to Riverdance are currently available only with a season subscription to the Broadway and Curtain Call series.

CATS
January 17 – 22, 2012

There's no better way to introduce your family to the wonders of live theater than with the magic, the mystery, the memory of CATS. What began as a musical about cats after Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop has become one of the longest running shows in Broadway's history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song, "Memory." Ticket prices will be $20 - $70. Tickets to CATS are currently available only with a season subscription to the Broadway and/or Curtain Call series.

Photos courtesy of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. From top to bottom: Alan Mingo (Donkey) and Eric Petersen (Shrek) from SHREK THE MUSICAL by Joan Marcus; the Broadway cast of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES by Joan Marcus; the Broadway cast of AMERICAN IDIOT by Paul Kolnik.

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Season ticket prices for the Broadway Series are $72 to $564. Season ticket prices for the Curtain Call Series are $45 to $239.

Priority renewal information for the 2011 – 2012 Season is being sent to current subscribers. Single tickets will go on sale approximately six weeks prior to individual engagements.

Tickets and additional information may also be obtained by contacting the Box Office at (714) 556-2787 or visiting 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626.

Please visit SCFTA.org/25th for more information about the 2011 – 2012 Season.

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