The Book of Mormon, the 2011 Broadway hit that won nine Tony awards, including best musical, will anchor the 2013-14 Broadway in Atlanta season at the Fox Theatre.
The irreverent crowd-pleaser about two young Mormons on a mission in Africa runs Jan. 28-Feb. 9, 2014. Ben Brantley of The New York Times called it “the best musical of this century.” Mormon, now nearly two years into it’s Broadway run, continues to sell out the 1,100-seat O’Neill Theatre. Be forewarned, however. It does contain explicit language.
The full lineup looks like this:
Ghost the Musical. Nov. 5-10. Adapted from the 1990 Patrick Swayze-Demi Moore movie that won an Oscar for Whoopi Goldberg. The teary romance tells the story of Sam and Molly, separated when he’s murdered. Featuring an original pop score by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Glen Ballard. It had a three-month Broadway run last summer.
The Book of Mormon. Jan. 28-Feb. 9, 2014. From “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, which should give you an idea about its content. Entertainment Weekly called it “the funniest musical of all time,” and Jon Stewart of “The Daily Show” called it “a crowning achievement. So good it makes me angry.” (And we don’t think he’s Mormon.)
Once. March 4-9. Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards, including best musical. This is a smaller piece featuring an ensemble of 14 actor-musicians who play their own instruments onstage. It’s the story of a Dublin street musician who meets a beautiful young woman. Once is nearing its one-year anniversary on Broadway, where its nearly filling the 1,100-seat Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (formerly the Royale).
Disney’s The Lion King. April 10-27. The circle of life circles back to Atlanta with its familiar Elton John-Tim Rice score and the groundbreaking design/staging by original director Julie Taymor. Winner of five 1998 Tony awards, including best musical. Simba and friends just celebrated their 15th anniversary on Broadway, where they continue to pack ’em in.
American Idiot. Week of April 28. This 2010 musical by the American punk-rock band Green Day won Tony awards for its scenic and lighting designs and was a best musical nominee. The story, based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album, follows three lifelong friends as they choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. The show had a yearlong Broadway run.
Evita. June 3-8. The Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber juggernaut follows Argentinean icon Eva Perón from her teenage years in the slums to her meteoric rise as first lady of the land. The score features such gems as “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” and “High Flying Adored.” Winner of seven 1980 Tonys including awards for leading lady Patti LuPone (Eva), Mandy Patinkin (Che), Harold Prince’s direction and best musical. This new production is based on the recent revival directed by Michael Grandage and choreographed by Rob Ashford. It had a nine-month Broadway run.
Ticket packages for the six-show series ($199-$559) are available at BroadwayinAtlanta.com or at 1.800.278.4447. Single-show tickets typically go on sale eight to 12 weeks before opening night.
