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Broadway Series Catches 'Spring' Fever
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Published: February 17, 2008
Updated: 02/17/2008 12:22 am
TAMPA - That yellow brick road leading to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is paved with Broadway gold.
So Florida's largest cultural venue is more than happy today to announce its new season of touring blockbuster musicals, those big-production salvos that help keep the center solvent.
Not all patrons of the arts care for Broadway shows, but they can't ignore their role as the center's cash cow, the sure sellouts. Broadway events enjoy the longest runs, largest subscription base and most single sales of anything offered.
"Broadway is our most popular performing art form, but it's also an American art, and I think that's why it has stayed more relevant than other forms," says Judy Lisi, the center's president.
The 2008-09 season features "The Wizard of Oz," "Frost/Nixon," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Spring Awakening," "A Chorus Line," "The Rat Pack - Live at the Sands," "Fiddler on the Roof" and the cabaret "Waistwatchers."
The season also offers encore engagements of "Rent," "Riverdance," "Spamalot" and "The Phantom of the Opera."
As has the current season's lineup, those shows are expected to draw big crowds. In any given year, about 130 Broadway series performances draw 360,000 people - about half the total number of visitors to the center each year.
Those shows generate an average $25 million in ticket sales, and the center nets $2 million - a small but important percentage.
"It does net," says Lisi, emphasizing a budget in the black, not the red. "Most other art forms need subsidy."
Here's a look at next season's lineup at the center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Season subscriptions are now available, and individual tickets will go on sale at a date to be determined. For information, call (813) 229-7827 or go to www.tbpac.org.
"The Wizard of Oz," Oct. 14 to 19. This London-based musical revives the classic L. Frank Baum children's story and songs from the iconic 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland.
"The Phantom of the Opera," Oct. 30 to Nov. 23. Andrew Lloyd Webber's gothic musical returns with another trip to the bowels of the Paris Opera House.
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," Dec. 9 to 14. Based on the 1968 MGM/United Artists film, the production brings to Morsani Hall big special effects and the memorable Sherman Brothers score.
"Spring Awakening," Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. The show, which won eight Tony Awards including best musical, is a fusion of morality, sexuality and rock 'n' roll that is sure to engage or ruffle feathers. "It will be controversial because the subject matter is about the rebelliousness of youth and coming to terms with adolescent issues," Lisi says.
"Riverdance," Jan. 20 to 25. This globe-trotting visual spectacle weaves ancient Celtic mythology and Irish history into a night of dance.
"A Chorus Line," Feb. 3 to 8. The long-running musical about a team of struggling dancers can still sell tickets, or the center wouldn't have booked it.
"Waistwatchers," Feb. 6 to May 17, 2009. The fat-free musical celebrates the American obsession with weight loss.
"Frost/Nixon," Feb. 17 to 22, 2009. Stacy Keach stars as Richard Nixon in the play about the acclaimed TV interviews with David Frost.
"Spamalot," March 3 to 8, 2009. The old Monty Python jokes find new life in this hilarious spoof on the King Arthur legend.
"The Rat Pack: Live at the Sands," March 24 to 29, 2009. Following four years on London's West End, the production re-creates an evening at the Sands Hotel with those ultracool cats Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin.
"Fiddler on the Roof," April 28 to May 3, 2009. This Tony Award-winning musical embarks on its national tour, featuring Chaim Topol in the role that made him famous.
"Rent," May 19 to 24, 2009. A group of impoverished young artists struggles to survive economics, AIDS and discrimination in this modern take on Puccini's "La Boheme."
Reporter Kurt Loft can be reached at (813) 259-7570 or kloft@tampatrib.com.
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