CHICAGO, THE WIZARD OF OZ, SUGAR and More Set for Music Circus' 2013 Season

California Musical Theatre Executive Producer Richard Lewis announced a varied lineup of musicals for the 2013 season of Sacramento Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, the 63rd season for what has become a Northern California summer tradition. The five-show season will include the Music Circus premiere of the Kander and Ebb hit Chicago; a production of The Wizard of Oz based on the iconic movie; the Wells Fargo Pavilion premiere of the American theater masterpiece Show Boat; the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The King and I; and Sugar, the stage version of the classic film comedy Some Like It Hot.

Music Circus is produced under the leadership of Artistic Director Glenn Casale and Associate Producer Scott Klier.

Season ticket holders from 2012 will receive renewal invoices in the mail by January 21, and the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office will begin taking paid reservations for new subscribers on that day as well. Five-show season tickets will range from $150 to $256, depending on performance time and seating location. Reservations and renewals are available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, or by phone at (916) 557-1999, beginning Monday, January 21, at 10:00 a.m.

"We're very excited to finally be able to bring the hit musical Chicago to the Music Circus stage. It's a show that our patrons have been requesting for a long time," Lewis said. "And I know that fans of the Marilyn Monroe movie Some Like it Hot are going to really enjoy the hilarious production of Sugar. It's based on that classic movie, and features a wonderful score written by the composer and lyricist who created Funny Girl. With the variety of shows in the 2013 season, we truly have something that everyone can enjoy."

Lewis also noted that patron feedback from the 2012 Music Circus season was overwhelmingly positive and, once again, the 2013 season will consist of five shows. As with the 2012 season, in 2013 a number of tickets will be available to all patrons for every show at the special price of $30, and season subscribers will see all five shows for the price of just four, according to Lewis.

In addition to saving up to $128 on a pair of tickets, Music Circus season ticket subscribers receive a number of valuable benefits, including the ability to get the best available seating locations, the opportunity to order additional single tickets before the general public, the ability to exchange their tickets for another performance free of charge, and guaranteed renewal privileges.

2013 Music Circus Season

The Wizard of Oz: June 21 - 30

Join Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion as they band together on an adventure along the Yellow Brick Road to Oz and face the wrath of the Wicked Witch. The production will be true to the movie that has enchanted fans of all ages for decades. Featuring the songs "Over the Rainbow," "We're Off To See the Wizard," "If I Only Had A Brain."

In the first week, performances are Friday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. In the second week of shows, evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

$30 tickets will be available in all sections for children ages 4 - 12 for this show only.

Show Boat: July 9 - 14

A masterpiece, generally considered America's first true musical. Featuring one of the greatest scores ever, by Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern. The show has not been at Music Circus in 12 years, and this is its first time in the Wells Fargo Pavilion. Featuring the songs "Ol' Man River," "You Are Love," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man."

Evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Sugar (based on the film Some Like it Hot): July 23 - 28

It's the classic movie Some Like it Hot, and it's live on stage, with a brassy score to highlight the hilarious antics! Two male musicians, disguised as women in an all-female band while fleeing the Chicago mob, experience a series of comical mishaps. Music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, the team that composed Funny Girl.

Evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

The King and I: August 6 - 11

One of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most treasured musicals. East meets West, cultures and generations clash and reconcile. A classic tale of passionate but forbidden love, filled with indelible, exhilarating moments and featuring a breathtaking score. With the songs "Shall We Dance?," "Getting to Know You," "Something Wonderful."

Evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Chicago: August 20 - 29

First time ever at Music Circus, the sizzling, sexy Kander and Ebb smash hit, with choreography by the legendary Bob Fosse. Murderesses Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that may keep them from the gallows. Featuring the songs "All That Jazz," "Razzle Dazzle," "Cell Block Tango."

In the first week of shows, evening performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Thursday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. In the second week of shows, performances are Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, Aug. 29 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Five-show season subscriptions will be available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion box office at 1419 H Street beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 21. Last year's subscribers will receive invitations to renew by mail and have priority to retain their seats or to upgrade. Paid season ticket reservations can also be made by phone at (916) 557-1999.

Discounts are available for groups of 12 or more by calling the group sales department at
(916) 557-1198, beginning Monday, February 11. Groups can reserve five-show, multi-show or single-show packages.

Single-show tickets will be available for purchase beginning Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m. Single-show tickets range from $30 to $64. All ticket prices include a facility fee and are subject to change.

Show Boat, Sugar and The King and I will run for one week, with eight performances a week. The other two shows have extended runs, with 13 performances for The Wizard of Oz and 12 performances for Chicago.

Music Circus was founded in 1951 as the first professional musical theatre-in-the-round west of the Mississippi. Until 2002, its first-class productions were presented under a canvas tent, the last of its kind in the country. In 2003, the company introduced the fully-enclosed Wells Fargo Pavilion, which combines the traditional Arena Stage with improved audience comfort. Music Circus is the largest continually operating musical theatre-in-the-round in the country, making it a landmark in the professional theatre community and a living museum of musical theatre history. Music Circus operates under a contract with Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States, and the majority of the principal ensemble cast have extensive Broadway and national tour credits. The Acting Company will be announced in late spring following extensive auditions in New York City, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

For more information, visit SacramentoMusicCircus.com.

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