Broadway musicals coming to OC

COSTA MESA - The Orange County Performing Arts Center has announced its 2010-2011 entertainment calendar and it includes such notable productions as "Wicked," "West Side Story," "Mamma Mia" and "South Pacific."The center will also host a new show from Cirque du Soleil. "The center has a great Broadway season lined up for 2010-2011, with 10 shows that encompass much-loved classics, eagerly-awaited revivals and several of the newest shows and productions that have lately taken Broadway and the musical theater world by storm," said Terry Dwyer, president of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. All performances will be in Segerstrom Hall and season renewal information is being sent to current subscribers. Single tickets will go on sale approximately six weeks prior to the performances. For more information, call (714) 556-2787. Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific - Oct. 12-24, 2010 - A reinvention produced by Lincoln Center Theater, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific" swept the 2008 Tony Awards, winning seven honors including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Bartlett Sher. The new production features a cast of 34 and a full orchestra of 26 members - the largest orchestra of any touring Broadway production. The score's songs include "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" and "This Nearly Was Mine." Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Nov. 16-21, 2010 - Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," the smash-hit Broadway musical, is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film. It's a musical love story filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and memorable production numbers, including "Be Our Guest." Cirque du Soleil - Dec. 7-26, 2010 - Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder to almost 100 million spectators around the globe. Its name is synonymous with innovation and exhilaration in high-quality entertainment. Hair - Jan. 25 - Feb. 6, 2011 - The Public Theater's new Tony-winning production of "Hair" is the most electric celebration on Broadway. The exuberant musical about a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. "Hair" features dozens of memorable songs, including "Aquarius," "Let the Sun Shine In," "Good Morning, Starshine" and "Easy to be Hard." Rock of Ages - Mach 1-6, 2011 - "Rock of Ages" has the heart of a musical comedy and the attitude of a sold-out, rock arena spectacle. It's the story of a small town girl and big city dreamer who meet in L.A. and learn the Sunset Strip's great lesson: Don't Stop Believing! "Rock of Ages" features music by Journey, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Foreigner, Pat Benatar and more. Wicked - March 9 - April 3, 2011 - Back by popular demand, "Wicked" first played the Center in 2006, breaking box office records and selling out in record time. Winner of 26 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, "Wicked" tells the story of Dorothy long before she arrives in Munchkinland. 9 to 5: The Musical - May 10-15, 2011 - "9 to 5: The Musical" is the story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. The new musical comedy, direct from Broadway, is based on the hit movie and features Dolly Parton's original hit title song along with her new Tony- and Grammy-nominated score. The book is by Patricia Resnick (co-writer of the original screenplay). The musical tells the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there's nothing they can't do - even in a man's world. Mamma Mia! - June 21-26, 2011 - "Mamma Mia!" is the feel-good show that combines ABBA's greatest hits, including "Dancing Queen," S.O.S.", "Super Trouper," "Take a Chance On Me" and "The Winner Takes It All." Mary Poppins - July 14-32, 2011 - Next July, the world's most famous nanny will arrive in Orange County. "Mary Poppins" combines the best of the original stories by P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film, and features the songs "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Let's Go Fly a Kite" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." West Side Story - Sept. 6-18, 2011 - More than 50 years, "West Side Story" changed theater forever. Directed by Tony Award-winner Arthur Laurents, "West Side Story" remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, and the Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest.

********** Published: April 2, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 50