'GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE', THE BODYGUARD and More Set for Broadway Sacramento's 2016-17 Season

California Musical Theatre announced the 2016-17 Broadway Sacramento season at the Community Center Theater, featuring four shows not previously presented in the series, one of which has been produced in the round at Music Circus a number of times but never before part of Broadway Sacramento.

The 2016 - 17 season kicks off with the brand new critically acclaimed production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, directed by three-time Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien. Next up is a lavish new production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, adapted for the stage from the timeless movie. That holiday classic is an optional show for season ticketholders. Kicking off 2017 is Broadway's huge-hearted, high-heeled hit Kinky Boots, with songs by Grammy and Tony-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper.

Next up is the uproarious hit A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, which The Hollywood Reporter raves "restores our faith in musical comedy." That's followed by The Bodyguard, based on the smash hit 1992 film starring Kevin Costner, with R&B superstar Deborah Cox in the lead role and featuring the hit song "I Will Always Love You." And closing the season is Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, which has been hailed by critics as "bigger and better than ever before."

While it's been produced at Music Circus twelve times in the past, The Sound of Music has never been part of the Broadway Sacramento season. This new production of the classic musical was described by the Los Angeles Times as "sparkling, fresh and lively." Kinky Boots, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder and The Bodyguard are Sacramento premieres. Four shows in the season-The Sound of Music, Kinky Boots, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder and The Phantom of the Opera-have won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of The Phantom of the Opera retains the beloved story and thrilling score and has exciting new special effects, scenic and lighting designs, staging and choreography.

Broadway Sacramento, sponsored by Wells Fargo and presented by the nonprofit California Musical Theatre, is the largest performing arts event in the Capital Region. All performances are at the Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street, in downtown Sacramento.

Season tickets go on sale Monday, April 11, at 10:00 a.m. Current season subscribers will receive renewal packets in the mail, and will have until May 20 to renew their season tickets and keep their current seat locations. Season tickets are available only at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, or by calling (916) 557-1999.

Season subscribers save up to $130 off the price of a pair of single-show tickets, and they get the best seats available, since they can purchase season tickets before single-show tickets are available to the general public. Six-show subscriptions (including Irving Berlin's White Christmas) range from $145 to $433, depending on performance day/time and seating location. Five-show subscriptions (not including Irving Berlin's White Christmas) range from $123 to $364, depending on performance day/time and seating location. Single-show tickets to some shows will go on sale in late summer or early fall.

Groups can reserve tickets for Broadway Sacramento shows beginning May 23, by calling (916) 557-1198.

Season tickets go on sale on Monday, April 11, at 10:00 a.m. For more information call (916) 557-1999 or visit BroadwaySacramento.com.

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2016-17 Broadway Sacramento Season:

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
• Dates: October 26 - November 6, 2016 (16 performances)
• Performances: Week 1: Wed. Oct. 26, 8:00 PM; Thurs. Oct. 27, 2:00 PM & 8:00PM; Fri. Oct. 28, 8:00 PM; Sat. Oct. 29, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM; Sun. Oct. 30, 2:00 PM & 7:30PM; Week 2: Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
• Credits: Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Music by Richard Rodgers.
• Broadway Sacramento History: Broadway Sacramento premiere.
• Music Circus History: Has been produced twelve times at Music Circus, most recently in 2008.
• Broadway History: Broadway premiere, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 11/16/1959 - 11/03/1962; then at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, 11/06/1962 - 6/15/1963.
• Awards: 1960, the original Broadway production won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Female Actress in a Musical, out of nine nominations.
• Brief Description: A brand new production of The Sound of Music, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winning Best Score, including "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Edelweiss" and the title song. The original Broadway production, starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, opened on November 16, 1959. The show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then. It was adapted as a 1965 film musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, which won five Academy Awards. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.
• Show Website: thesoundofmusicontour.com

IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS
• Dates: December 27, 2016 - January 1, 2017 (8 performances)
• Performances: Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
• Credits: Composer and Lyricist, Irving Berlin; Librettists: David Ives and Paul Blake
• Broadway Sacramento History: Return engagement - last at Broadway Sacramento in 2006
• Broadway History: Broadway premiere, Marquis Theatre, November 23, 2008
• Awards: 2009 Tony Award Nominations: Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations
• Brief Description: This holiday season discover the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Start with a timeless tale of joy and goodwill, fill it with classic Irving Berlin songs, top it off with glorious dancing and lots of snow and come see Irving Berlin's White Christmas! It's a must-see classic in a lavish new musical that The New York Times says to "put on your wish list." Irving Berlin's White Christmas tells the story of a song-and-dance team putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and falling for a stunning sister act in the process. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written. Give everyone the gift they're dreaming of with this merry and bright holiday musical. Based on the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Songs include "Happy Holiday," "Sisters," "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing," "Snow" and the unforgettable title song.
• Show Website: irvingberlinswhitechristmas.com

KINKY BOOTS
• Dates: January 31 - February 5, 2017 (8 performances)
• Performances: Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
• Credits: Book by Harvey Fierstein; music & lyrics by Cyndi Lauper; direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell
• Broadway Sacramento History: Broadway Sacramento premiere
• Broadway History: Broadway premiere, Al Hirschfeld Theatre, (4/04/2013 - Present)
• Awards: 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Performance by an Actor, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations, Best Sound Design, nominated for 13 Tony awards.
• Brief Description: Kinky Boots is Broadway's huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy and Tony winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen's shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father's expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory's future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos. Take a step in the right direction and discover that sometimes the best way to fit in is to stand out. "There is no show hotter than Kinky Boots!" - CBS News
• Show website: kinkybootsthemusical.com

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER
• Dates: March 7 - 12, 2017 (8 performances)
• Performances: Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
• Credits: Book by Robert L. Freedman; Music by Steven Lutvak; Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak; Based on a novel by Roy Horniman
• Broadway Sacramento History: Broadway Sacramento premiere
• Broadway History: Broadway premiere, Walter Kerr Theatre, (11/17/2013 - 1/17/2016)
• Awards: Winner of four 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical, ten nominations.
• Brief Description: Getting away with murder can be so much fun... and there's no better proof than the knock-'em-dead hit show that's earned unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical-A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder! Coming direct from New York, where a most gentlemanly NPR critic said he'd "never laughed so hard at a Broadway musical," A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by - you guessed it - eliminating the eight pesky relatives (all played by one fearless man) who stand in his way. All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress (she's after more than just love), his fiancée (she's his cousin but who's keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance... and be done in time for tea.
• Show Website: agentlemansguidebroadway.com

THE BODYGUARD
• Dates: April 18-23, 2017 (8 performances)
• Performances: Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM
• Credits: Based on Lawrence Kasdan's 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film and adapted by Academy Award-winner (Birdman) Alexander Dinelaris; Choreography is by Karen Bruce; orchestrations and additional music by Chris Egan.
• Broadway Sacramento History: Broadway Sacramento premiere
• Show History: World premiere, London's Adelphi Theatre, December 5, 2012
• Awards: Nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and won Best New Musical
• Brief Description: 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 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." Grammy Award-nominated and multi-platinum R&B/pop recording artist and film/TV actress Deborah Cox will star as Rachel Marron.
• Show Website: thebodyguardmusical.com

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
• Dates: May 17-28, 2017 (16 performances)
• Performances: Week 1: Wed. May 17, 8:00 PM; Thurs. May 18, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM; Fri. May 19, 8:00 PM; Sat. May 20, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM; Sun. May 21, 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM Week 2: Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 PM; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM
• Credits: Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Book by Richard Stilgoe, Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Charles Hart
• Broadway Sacramento History: Previous production part of Broadway Sacramento season in 1997. 2002 and 2008. First time for this brand new production.
• Broadway History: The longest-running show in Broadway history officially opened on January 26, 1988 and is still playing at the Majestic.
• Awards: The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical won seven 1988 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical; nominated for ten.
• Brief Description: Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera will come to Sacramento as part of a brand new North American Tour. Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is "bigger and better than ever before" and features a brilliant new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award-winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and new staging by director Laurence Connor. The production, overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh, boasts many exciting special effects including the show's legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score - with songs like "Music of the Night," "All I Ask Of You," and "Masquerade" - will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this Phantom one of the largest productions now on tour.
Show Website: thephantomoftheopera.com

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