Walton Arts Center announces upcoming Broadway season

WAC season dances, sings and struts

At first glance, the Walton Arts Center's 2017-18 Broadway season might seem very traditional -- mostly musicals that might fairly be called "chestnuts."

But Scott Galbraith, the new vice president for programming, would respectfully disagree with that assessment.

FYI

WAC 2017-18

Broadway Season

“The King and I”

Oct. 3-8

Two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of this “breathtaking and exquisite” (The New York Times) musical, directed by Bartlett Sher. Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the king brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. Winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival.

“White Christmas”

Nov. 7-12

Irving Berlin’s timeless musical 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.

“Finding Neverland”

Dec. 19-23

Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. This tale of Peter Pan is directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus.

“Cabaret”

Jan. 19-21, 2018

Based on Roundabout Theatre Company’s Tony Award-winning production, the touring production created by Sam Mendes (“Skyfall,” “American Beauty”) and Rob Marshall (films “Into the Woods” and “Chicago”) debuts at Walton Arts Center.

“An American in Paris”

Feb. 6-11, 2018

The new Tony Award-winning musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in the show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2015 season.

“Rent”

March 2-4, 2018

In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theater. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” continues to speak loudly and defiantly about artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out.

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”

April 24-29, 2018

A chronicle of King’s rise to stardom and the soundtrack she wrote for a generation.

“The Sound of Music”

May 15-20, 2018

A brand new tale of Maria and the Von Trapp family returns to Walton Arts Center by popular demand. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.

COST — Ticket packages range from $271 for six shows to $351 for eight shows; Broadway subscriptions are on sale now, with single ticket available in the summer

INFO — 443-5600

Galbraith, who comes to WAC from a career as an actor, singer, marketer, arts producer and arts executive, says it is "a beautifully put together season." And more than meets the eye.

The season opener, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I," illustrates how to build an understanding between two very different cultures and how a strong woman is often behind a man's success. "Cabaret" is, of course, very timely, with fears of the loss of art and culture on the rise in the United States -- and it's a newcomer to the WAC stage, where it has never been presented. "Rent" comes with an "inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear" and a "celebration of friendship and creativity." And "The Sound of Music" is set during the rise of the Third Reich in Germany.

"These are not shows without social commentary," Galbraith says. "They've been homogenized over time, but when you go back to the core material, they're kind of challenging."

That doesn't mean the season is intended as a serious statement of anything, Galbraith hastens to add, although he hopes one day that themes might run through a year of WAC programming. But it does mean that national tastes are turning toward traditional shows -- among them "White Christmas" and the fresh-from-Broadway revival of "An American in Paris," which Galbraith calls "poetry on stage."

"It's just so beautifully done, it really elevates the artform in a way that allows people to approach modern ballet without even knowing it," he says.

Of course, every year, creating the season requires "balancing new titles with some chestnuts" to make for something "slightly more challenging." For 2017-18, the new titles include "Finding Neverland," the winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, and "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," the true story of the singer's rise to stardom. It debuted on Broadway in 2014.

Bringing the shows together as a season -- "The King and I," "Finding Neverland," "An American in Paris," "Beautiful" and "The Sound of Music" are the core offering, with patrons able to choose among "White Christmas," "Cabaret" and "Rent" as their sixth selection -- appeals to the "curate your own experience" that suits today's ticket buyers, Galbraith says.

"The heart and soul demographic to Broadway across the country is usually in that 45-plus, female decision making, post-secondary education" slice of audience, he says. Bringing in more diverse patronage comes with single ticket sales that come with diverse programming. Shows like the new season's each appeal to a different segment of the community, so each of them "has its potential" to build audience, Galbraith adds.

"Variety is what I ultimately look for," he says. "I kind of believe that particularly when it comes to growing audiences, people have a natural tendency to flock toward things they self-identify with. So make sure you have artforms on your stage people can self-identify with. The shorthand version is to make sure not all the shows look like me."

NW News on 03/26/2017

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