Gexa Energy Broadway at The Hobby Center Announces its 2011-2012 Season

HOUSTON, Texas (February 7, 2011) — Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center turns the spotlight on the newest hits from Broadway in its 2011-2012 season, announced today. Houston theater audiences will be captivated with new Broadway shows this season!
 
“All five season productions are Houston premieres and showcase talent lauded by critics,” Fran Macferran, president of the Hobby Center Foundation, said. “We are thrilled to introduce these new Broadway shows to the Houston theater community!”
 
Shows in the 2011-2012 Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center series include:
 
MEMPHIS
Houston Premiere
October 25 – October 30, 2011
TURN UP THAT DIAL...From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves—filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock 'n' roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, MEMPHIS features a Tony®-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony®-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony® nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). Get ready to experience Broadway’s most exciting new destination... MEMPHIS! For more information, visit memphisthemusical.com

THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Houston Premiere
January 10 – January 15, 2012
 
The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life in THE ADDAMS FAMILY. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, Drama Desk-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party), choreographer Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and Olivier Award-winning director/designers Phelim McDermott & Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter) with creative consultation by four-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Zaks. This is definitely not the same old song and dance. It’s every parent’s nightmare. Your little girl has suddenly become a young woman, and what’s worse, has fallen deliriously in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. Yes, Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has a “normal” boyfriend, and for parents Gomez and Morticia, this shocking development will turn the Addams house downside up. It’s a family portrait that’s completely off the wall. For more information, visit theaddamsfamilymusical.com
 
Million Dollar Quartet
Houston Premiere
February 28 – March 4, 2012
 
Million Dollar Quartet is the smash hit Broadway musical, inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians were gathered together by Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ’n’ Roll” at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more. This thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night. Don’t miss your chance to be a fly on the wall of fame...at Million Dollar Quartet! For more information, visit milliondollarquartetlive.com
 
COME FLY AWAY
Houston Premiere
April 10 – April 15, 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 14-piece big 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 “Summer Wind,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” “New York, New York” and “I’ve Got the World on a String.” For more information, visit comeflyaway.com

Wishful Drinking
Houston Premiere
May 15 – May 20, 2012

The daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher became a cultural icon in her own right at the age of 19, when she starred as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” trilogy. In Wishful Drinking, she tells the true and intoxicating tale of her life as a Hollywood legend—with all the wry wit she poured into such bestsellers as Postcards from the Edge—in an uproarious and sobering look at her "Hollywood hangover." Wishful Drinking premiered in 2006, in Los Angeles, and has since completed sell-out runs in theatres across the U.S., culminating in a wildly successful engagement at Broadway's Studio 54 in 2010, winning the prestigious 2010 Outer Critics' Circle Award. The show received rave reviews on Broadway. In The New York Times critic Ben Brantley described it as, "an extremely funny full-frontal confession.” For more information, visit carriefisher.com
 
In addition, Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center will showcase a production returning to Houston for the third time during the summer of 2012 as a season special:
 
THE LION KING
Special Engagement
July 10 – August 12, 2012
 
More than 50 million people worldwide have come to discover the wonder, majesty, and truly one-of-a-kind experience that is THE LION KING. The critically acclaimed production is visually stunning, technically astounding and features a musical score like none other you've ever heard. It's the Tony® Award-winning Broadway sensation that Newsweek calls "a landmark event in entertainment," and The New York Times says, "There is simply nothing else like it." Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, THE LION KING reigns as one of the most popular shows on Broadway, on tour and around the world. Audiences marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by a cast of more than 40 actors and wonder at the inspiration of award-winning director Julie Taymor. The unforgettable score includes Elton John and Tim Rice's Oscar®-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." For more information, visit thelionking.com
 
Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center will offer an array of subscriber benefits including: priority purchase opportunities and flexible payment plan, a dedicated season staff, exchange privileges and replacements on lost or stolen tickets. In addition, Season Ticket Holders will enjoy a rewards program that includes: special offers (when available) and membership and privileges to Broadway Across America, a national network of over 40 North American cities where Broadway is presented. Individuals purchasing Premium Seat subscriptions will receive additional benefits including: complimentary parking, complimentary beverages, name listing in the Playbill, and more.
 
Season tickets for the 2011-2012 Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center series are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (713) 622-SHOW (7469), Monday-Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST or online at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Current subscribers will receive renewal packets in the mail during the week of February 6. Individual tickets will be available six to eight weeks prior to each scheduled performance. For groups of 20 or more, please call (888) 451-5986 or e-mail houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.
 
Go mobile! Sign-up for mobile alerts and receive ticket discounts, special offers, and more at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/mobile. Join our social community!  For up-to-the-minute news including videos, news articles, photos, and more visit, Facebook.com/BroadwayAcrossAmericaHouston and Twitter.com/baahouston.
 
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts operates as the Hobby Center Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to provide first class performance facilities for our community and to encourage the education and outreach programs that contribute to the quality of life in our community. The complex houses two performance chambers, a five star restaurant, and an 800 car capacity on-premise parking garage. Built entirely with private money and then gifted to the City of Houston, the Foundation operates the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts without municipal or taxpayer operating support. Please visit thehobbycenter.org.
 
Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America (Producer) is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 42 North American cities. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO & Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Recent Broadway productions include Promises, Promises; Million Dollar Quartet; La Cage aux Folles; Memphis; West Side Story; The Merchant of Venice; The Scottsboro Boys and the upcoming How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette. Also upcoming is the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet and the US touring production of DreamWorks’ Madagascar Live. For more information on Broadway Across America please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.
 
Gexa Energy
Gexa Energy (PUCT # 10027) is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, the largest generator of wind and solar power in North America. NextEra Energy Resources is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. Having entered the Texas deregulated energy market in 2002, Gexa Energy has established itself as one of the leading retail electricity providers for residential and commercial users in the state. For more information, visit gexaenergy.com.

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