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Some Enchanted Evenings Coming To TBPAC

Tribune file photo (2007)

After opening in New York last year, "In the Heights," the first show on the schedule, won four Tony Awards, including best musical. The production, set in New York's Washington Heights, explores the immigrant experience with a modern twist. "It's very contemporary, with hip hop, but it's accessible," said Judy Lisi, president of the performing arts center. "It really shows how the first generation hopes the second will do better."

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By KATHY GREENBERG

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 22, 2009

Those who escape bad news by heading to the theater have a lot to look forward to come fall. New Broadway shows will be rolling into Tampa, along with some wildly popular old favorites.

The 2009-10 "Best of Broadway" season at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center includes a hip-hop musical that made its Broadway debut just last year; Tampa's first homegrown and potentially Broadway-bound production; and the former child star of TV's "Little House on the Prairie," now all grown up and playing Ma.

The center announced the lineup today, which is also the first day of season-ticket sales.

First up is "In the Heights" (Oct. 27-Nov. 1), which launches its national tour here. After opening in New York last year, it won four Tony Awards, including best musical. The production, set in New York's Washington Heights, explores the immigrant experience with a modern twist.

"It's very contemporary, with hip hop, but it's accessible," said Judy Lisi, president of the performing arts center. "It really shows how the first generation hopes the second will do better."

The world premiere of the arts center's own "Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure" (Nov. 24-Jan. 3) sees a grown-up Alice returning to the place of "Drink Me" signs and smoking caterpillars. It's set in modern Manhattan and tells the story of author Alice Cornwinkle (a descendent of Lewis Carroll's muse, Alice Liddell), who is struggling with her career and her daughter, Chloe.

The magical Wonderland that the original Alice visited is in danger of disappearing into nothingness, and only the new Alice can restore balance and joy.

It's "uplifting, funny" and "perfect for the times that we are in right now," Lisi said. "The ultimate message is that we live in a wonderland every day. We just don't notice it."

The center is spending $2 million to produce the show, its first effort in the Broadway Genesis Project. Plans are for "Wonderland" to debut in Tampa before touring other performing arts centers and then opening on Broadway.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" (Jan. 12-17), whose 2008 Broadway revival won seven Tonys, will be followed by "Godspell" (Feb. 12-May 6) and Cirque Productions' "Cirque Dreams Illumination" (March 23-28), a Cirque du Soleil-style spectacle.

"Wicked" (Feb. 3-28), another production related to a children's classic, will return by popular demand. The record-shattering award winner, a musical about the witches of the Land of Oz, first came to Tampa in 2006.

A special treat is in store for those who grew up watching the television show "Little House on the Prairie." The musical (March 2-7) stars Melissa "Half Pint" Gilbert as Ma Ingalls. Gilbert, as many will recall, played little Laura Ingalls in the TV series, which ended in 1983. As the matriarch this time, she'll sing about the pioneer experience in lieu of running through prairie grass and tripping over her sisters.

The season closes with the Disney-Cameron Mackintosh production of "Mary Poppins" (May 21-June 6). The revival features favorite songs from the 1964 Walt Disney film while keeping in the style of P.L. Travers' book series.

Of note, too, is the Broadway series' expansion to other venues within the arts center. Previously, all the productions were held in Morsani Hall. This season, Ferguson Hall and the Jaeb Theater will be utilized as well.

"This is the first year that our Broadway subscribers will be in three theaters. We're so lucky to have different size theaters that offer different experiences," Lisi said.

To make it a little easier for people to escape to the theater during the recession, the arts center has expanded its season ticket package choices and added a three-installment pay plan. Prices range from $85 for Cloud Club members to $592 for Platinum members.

Season tickets go on sale at noon today. Tickets will be available at the center box office off Ashley Drive in downtown Tampa from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays; by calling (813) 229.STAR (7827); or online at www.tbpac.org.

Individual tickets for "Wonderland" will go on sale Aug. 16. On-sale dates for individual tickets for other shows will be announced later.

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