In an unprecedented move – and a sign of the future – both the Dallas Summer Musicals and the AT&T Performing Arts Center simultaneously announced their upcoming seasons of touring Broadway musicals and stage shows. Not only that, the run of one of those musicals,  ‘The Band’s Visit’ – the winner of 10 Tony Awards including best musical – will actually be split between the Winspear Opera House and the Fair Park Music Hall, home of the DSM. Meanwhile, a return visit from the Blue Man Group at the Winspear appears on both organization’s schedules as a non-subscription ‘add-on.’

The split and shared runs of the two shows are the most immediate and visible results of the partnership between the Dallas Summer Musicals and the AT&T Performing Arts Center, announced in December. The partnership makes the Winspear Opera House available for booking by the DSM for up to four weeks a year.

Caisie Levy in ‘Disney’s Frozen.’ Photo: Deen van Meer.

Collectively, the two presenting groups announced 15 different shows – including such anticipated favorites as Disney’s ‘Frozen’ as well as revivals of ‘Cats,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and the 20th anniversary production of ‘Rent.’ But there are also some real heartwarmers, including the blockbuster hit, ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ ‘The Band’s Visit’ – about an Egyptian orchestra getting accidentally stuck in Israel – and the remarkably moving ‘Come from Away.’

Created by two Canadians, Irene Sankoff and David Hein, ‘Come from Away’ nevertheless has strong connections to North Texas. It’s about the true story of 38 flights, bound for New York, that were diverted on 9/11 out of U.S. airspace to a Canadian town called Gander – including three planes from American Airlines. The tiny, isolated town welcomed thousands of Americans, as well as other visitors from overseas, feeding and sheltering them. In particular, the musical focuses on Beverly Bass, the first woman to captain an American Airlines jet and only the third female pilot hired by the company. When the North American tour of ‘Come from Away’ opened in Seattle last year, it also featured in its cast longtime North Texas performers Julie Johnson and Chamblee Ferguson.

‘The Band’s Visit.’ Photo: Matthew Murphy

Among the other highlights in the 15 shows is the rare revival of ‘Once on This Island,’ the 1991 one-act musical set in the French Caribbean which won the Olivier Award in London for best new musical, the jukebox musical, ‘Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville,’ and especially, ‘The SpongeBob Musical,’ the stage adaptation of the demented TV cartoon show that celebrates squid-crab-sponge friendship and collaboration among the sea creatures in Bikini Bottom.

The full press releases for both seasons:

SIX-TIME TONY AND GRAMMY AWARD WINNER DEAR EVAN HANSEN AND DISNEY’S FROZEN
TO ANCHOR 2019–2020 DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS SEASON

Dallas, TX (March 29, 2019) – Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) and Broadway Across America (BAA) are pleased to announce the full lineup of Broadway shows coming to Dallas in the 2019-2020 season. Pop-culture phenomenon DEAR EVAN HANSEN and Disney’s FROZEN anchor the nine-show season made up of Tony Award® winners, acclaimed revivals, North Texas premieres and beloved family favorites. DSM’s 2019-2020 season launches in November with the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical CATS, followed by the six-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical and 2018 Grammy Award®-winning DEAR EVAN HANSEN.

This is the first season that embraces the new groundbreaking collaboration between Dallas Summer Musicals and the AT&T Performing Arts Center in which THE BAND’S VISIT (winner of ten 2018 Tony® Awards including Best New Musical) and the returning favorite BLUE MAN GROUP, an optional add-on, will be presented at the Winspear Opera House. Season subscribers are among the first to enjoy the benefits of this exciting collaboration between these two beloved Dallas institutions. Subscribers will be automatically reseated into the Winspear Opera House for THE BAND’S VISIT following the renewal window.

Also announced are COME FROM AWAY, the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them; a mesmerizing new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; the Tony®-nominated Best Musical from the producers of The Lion King and Aladdin, Disney’s FROZEN; and the musical comedy ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, featuring both original songs and your most loved Jimmy Buffett classics.

In addition, the RENT 20th Anniversary Tour will also be presented as an optional add-on. The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning musical returns to the Music Hall at Fair Park in April.
“From classic revivals to contemporary blockbusters, we are proud to continue bringing the Best of Broadway to North Texas with yet another spectacular season,” says Kenneth T. Novice, President of Dallas Summer Musicals. “We could not be more excited about our collaboration with the AT&T Performing Arts Center as we work together to enhance the Broadway experience for the city of Dallas.”

Currently, Dallas Summer Musicals’ season packages are only available to existing, renewing subscribers starting at $215. For more information, patrons can visit DallasSummerMusicals.org or call 1 (866) 2764884, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Subscriptions can also be renewed in person at the Music Hall at Fair Park Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New patrons are encouraged to sign up for the subscription notification list at DallasSummerMusicals.org to be among the first in line when new subscriptions become available later this spring.

Season subscribers avoid potential single ticket price increases closer to the show by reserving their seats now, and enjoy the privilege of priority ticket opportunities, lost ticket replacement, and exchange privileges on existing seats for select shows. On-sale dates for individual shows will be announced in the coming months. Group minimums start as low as 10 for select shows; groups can reserve seats now by calling (214) 426-4768 or emailing Groups@DallasSummerMusicals.org.

CATS

November 5-17, 2019

CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America! Audiences
and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater—”Memory.”

Winner of 7 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom) and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make this production a new CATS for a new generation!

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

November 26 – December 8, 2019

WINNER OF SIX 2017 TONY® AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL AND THE 2018 GRAMMY® AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to
finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says DEAR EVAN HANSEN is “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.” DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

BLUE MAN GROUP 

January 15-19, 2020 (Season Add-On)

Presented at the Winspear Opera House
BLUE MAN GROUP performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication. Since debuting at New York’s Astor Place Theatre, the live show has expanded to additional domestic residencies in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando, an international residency in Berlin, and multiple North American and World tours, reaching more than 35 million people worldwide. Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds, and continually injected with new music, fresh stories, custom instruments and sensory stimulating graphics.

At BLUE MAN GROUP, you’ll rock, laugh and party. As three bald and blue men explore our world, together we’ll discover music, comedy and surprises at every turn. By the end of this spectacular journey, you’ll be saying “I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED BUT I LOOOVED IT.” 35 million people of all ages and cultures know what Blue Man Group is really about. Now it’s your turn!

THE BAND’S VISIT

February 4-16, 2020

Presented at the Winspear Opera House
THE BAND’S VISIT is the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, making it one of the most Tony-winning musicals in history. And now it’s also a Grammy Award® winner for Best Musical Theater Album.

In this joyously offbeat story, set in a town that’s way off the beaten path, a band of musicians arrive lost, out of the blue. Under the spell of the desert sky, and with beautiful music perfuming the air, the band brings the town to life in unexpected and tantalizing ways. Even the briefest visit can stay with you forever.

With a Tony- and Grammy-winning score that seduces your soul and sweeps you off your feet, and featuring thrillingly talented onstage musicians, THE BAND’S VISIT rejoices in the way music makes us laugh, makes us cry, and ultimately, brings us together.

COME FROM AWAY 

March 10-22, 2020

Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY is a Best Musical winner across North America! This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendship.

Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein and helmed by this year’s Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. Newsweek cheers, “It takes you to a place you never want to leave!”

On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all.

RENT 20th Anniversary Tour

April 14-19, 2020 (Season Add-On)

In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

April 28 – May 10, 2020

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is an iconic musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production comes to North America.

Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and helmed by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You, Into the Woods) and award winning choreographer Drew McOnie (King Kong, Strictly Ballroom), this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring.

With music and lyrics by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’.

Disney’s FROZEN

June 17 – July 12, 2020

A mysterious secret. A family torn apart. As one sister struggles with being an outsider and harnessing her powers within, the other sets out on a thrilling adventure to bring her family together once again. Both are searching for love, but they’ll learn that to find it they’ll have to look inside themselves first.

FROZEN is melting hearts on Broadway in an all-new production created for the stage by an award-winning team. It features the songs you know and love from the original film plus an expanded scorewith a dozen new numbers. The creative team at its helm has won a cumulative 16 Tonys and includes Oscar Award® winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT-winning Robert Lopez (music & lyrics), Oscar-winner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award®-winner Michael Grandage (director) and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer).

An unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, FROZEN is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.

JIMMY BUFFET’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE 

July 28 – August 9, 2020

Welcome to Margaritaville, where people come to get away from it all—and stay to find something they never expected. With a book by Emmy Award® winner Greg Garcia (“My Name is Earl,” “Raising Hope”) and Emmy Award® nominee Mike O’Malley (“Survivors Remorse,” “Shameless”) ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE is the musical comedy featuring both original songs and your most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Fins,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and many more. USA Today calls it “A little slice of paradise!” and Entertainment Weekly raves, “It will knock your flip-flops off!” So don’t let the party start without you.

AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES ITS BROADWAY SERIES 2019/2020 SEASON

Once on This Island – December 17 – 22, 2019

The Color Purple – January 7 – 12, 2020

The Band’s Visit – February 18 – 23, 2020

An American in Paris – May 20 – 24, 2020

Bandstand – May 26 – 31, 2020

The SpongeBob Musical – July 7 – 12, 2020

NON-SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL

Once – November 22 – 24, 2019

Blue Man Group – January 15 – 19, 2020

Dallas – The nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center today announced the 2019/2020 season of its Broadway Series, featuring Once on This Island; Bandstand; The Band’s Visit; The SpongeBob Musical; An American in Paris and The Color Purple. Season subscribers will also have the option to add Once and Blue Man Group to their season subscription.

This season’s lineup is a stellar selection of the best of Broadway. It represents 27 Tony Awards including two Best Musicals; two Best Musical Revivals; three Grammys; Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical. Subscriptions are available now.

This is the first season that embraces the new groundbreaking partnership between Dallas Summer Musicals and the AT&T Performing Arts Center in which THE BAND’S VISIT (winner of ten 2018 Tony® Awards including Best New Musical) and the returning favorite BLUE MAN GROUP an optional add-on, will be presented at the Winspear Opera House. Each season DSM will present up to four weeks of Broadway in the beautiful Winspear Opera House on the Center’s campus in the Dallas Arts District.  Season subscribers are among the first to enjoy the benefits of this exciting collaboration between these two beloved Dallas institutions.

“We have selected a wonderful, diverse range of Broadway’s best, award-winning hits,” said Debbie Storey, president and CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. “We’ve got an island hip-shaker, a cartoon family blockbuster and a swinging salute to our returning World War II heroes. And they’ve never looked better than on the stage of the Winspear Opera House.”

Broadway Series subscribers enjoy free ticket replacement, discounted pre-paidparking and the Center’s inter-show ticket exchange, which provides the flexibility to exchange tickets for one show to another in the season (limit one exchange per season).

Center Circle members enjoy Broadway better than anyone else with a wide range of exclusive benefits. Member benefits include priority access to the best available seats, access to the PNC Members Lounge for complimentary beverages at each performance and access to the Platinum Circle orchestra seating for Platinum Circle members. Membership donations not only help the nonprofit Center bring the very best in performing arts to North Texas, but also support the Center’s community and education programs, including Community Partners which provides free tickets to those who would otherwise not have access. To join Center Circle with a membership donation, visit attpac.org/support or call Membership Services at 214-978-2888.

Six-show subscription packages range from $182 to $758, with the option to order Once for $25 to $122 and Blue Man Group for $20 to $105.

For groups of 10 or more please call 214-978-2879 or visit www.groups@attpac.org.

Information is available at www.attpac.org/broadway.  Subscriptions may also be purchased by phone at 214-880-0202, or in person at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Winspear Opera House Box Office at 2403 Flora Street. The Box Office is open 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and before performances – closed Saturdays and Sundays. 

THE 2019/2020 SEASON OF BROADWAY

Once

November 22 – November 24, 2019 

Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, ONCE is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights… but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, ONCE draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It’s an unforgettable story about going for your dreams… not living in fear… and the power of music to connect all of us.

Once on This Island

December 17 – December 22, 2019

“What a delight it is to enter the world of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND!” raves The New York Times.

Winner of the 2018 TONY AWARD FOR BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is the sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.

The groundbreaking vision of two-time Tony Award nominated director Michael Arden (Spring Awakening revival) and acclaimed choreographer Camille A. Brown (NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live) conjures up “a place where magic is possible and beauty is apparent for all to see!” (The Huffington Post). With a score that bursts with life from Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning songwriters of Anastasia and Ragtime, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is a timeless testament to theater’s unlimited possibilities.

The Color Purple

January 7 – January 12, 2020

THE COLOR PURPLE is the 2016 Tony Award^® winner for Best Musical Revival! Hailed as “a direct hit to the heart” (The Hollywood Reporter), this joyous American classic has conquered Broadway in an all-new “ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold” (The New York Times).

With a soul-raising, Grammy^®-winning score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story. Don’t miss this stunning re-imagining of an epic story about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South. Experience the exhilarating power of this Tony-winning triumph that New York Magazine calls “one of the greatest revivals ever.”

Blue Man Group

January 15 – January 19, 2020

Blue Man Group performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication. Since debuting at New York’s Astor Place Theatre, the live show has expanded to additional domestic residencies in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando, an international residency in Berlin, and multiple North American and World tours, reaching more than 35 million people worldwide. Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds, and continually injected with new music, fresh stories, custom instruments and sensory stimulating graphics.

At Blue Man Group, you’ll rock, laugh and party. As three bald and blue men explore our world, together we’ll discover music, comedy and surprises at every turn. By the end of this spectacular journey, you’ll be saying “I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED BUT I LOOOVED IT.” 35 million people of all ages and cultures know what Blue Man Group is really about. Now it’s your turn!

The Band’s Visit

February 18 – February 23, 2020

WINNER OF 10 TONY AWARDS® INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL

Spend an evening in the company of unforgettable strangers at The Band’s Visit—now one of the most celebrated musicals ever. It rejoices in the way music brings us to life, brings us to laughter, brings us to tears, and ultimately, brings us together.

In an Israeli desert town where every day feels the same, something different is suddenly in the air. Dina, the local café owner, had long resigned her desires for romance to daydreaming about exotic films and music from her youth. When a band of Egyptian musicians shows up lost at her café, she and her fellow locals take them in for the night. Under the spell of the night sky, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, and this once sleepy town begins to wake up.

The Band’s Visit features music and lyrics by Tony Award and Drama Desk Award winner David Yazbek, and a book by Tony, NY Drama Critics Circle, Lortel and Outer Critics Circle Awards winner Itamar Moses. It is based on the screenplay by Eran Kolirin, and is directed by Tony, Drama Desk, Lortel and Obie Award winner David Cromer.

An American in Paris

May 20 – May 24, 2020

ROMANCE! ADVENTURE! GERSHWIN! WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE !

In post-war Paris, romance is in the air and youthful optimism reigns. Gershwin’s soaring melodies are matched by gravity-defying dance as the world rediscovers the power of love in this breathtaking production. Hoping to start a new life, World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan chooses newly-liberated Paris as the place to make a name for himself as a painter. But Jerry’s life becomes complicated when he meets Lise, a young Parisian shop girl with her own secret – and realizes he is not her only suitor.  Winner of four Tony Awards and inspired by the Academy Award-winning film, this exquisite production features your favorite Gershwin songs including “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “’S Wonderful,” “But Not for Me,” and “Stairway to Paradise.”

“Pure Joy…An American In Paris is a TRIUMPH!”    New York Times

Bandstand

May 26 – May 31, 2020

WELCOME HOME

THE SOLDIERS CAME HOME TO A NEW AMERICA AND MADE MUSIC THAT INSPIRED THE NATION.

From three-time Tony® winner and Hamilton choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler, comes a poignant and inspiring new American musical that explodes with infectious music and high-octane, heart-stopping dancing.

It’s 1945. As America’s soldiers come home to ticker-tape parades and overjoyed families, Private First Class Donny Novitski, singer and songwriter, struggles to rebuild the life he left behind.

When NBC announces a national competition to find the nation’s next great musical superstars, Donny sees a lifeline for himself and some fellow veterans that gives them the purpose they so desperately need. Together, they form a band unlike any the nation has ever seen. Along the way, they discover the power of music to face the impossible, find their voice, and finally feel like they have a place to call home.

BANDSTAND is “both a peppy celebration of can-do spirit and a more somber exploration of what American servicemen experienced when they marched home from World War II. It’s a great argument for why theater can sometimes tell a story more boldly and more viscerally” (The New York Times). “The show defies you not to be moved” (Time Out New York).

The SpongeBob Musical

July 7 – July 12, 2020

A legendary roster of Grammy® Award winners. A visionary director and a Tony Award®-winning design team. One of the world’s most beloved characters. Turn them loose on stage and what do you get? The bold, original musical The New York Times declares, “BRILLIANT!”

“Wonders pour from the stage in a ravishing stream of color and invention” (Time Out New York) as Broadway’s best creative minds reimagine and bring to life the beloved Nickelodeon series with humor, heart and pure theatricality in a neon-sparkly “party for the eyes and ears” (Daily Beast). Be there when SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face catastrophe—until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage. This “creative explosion” (Broadway.com) is “nothing short of genius” says Theatermania, so bring the entire family to celebrate friendship and cooperation, and learn the power of unity and inclusion.

Get ready to enjoy the “Broadway Extravaganza” (The New Yorker) that New York Magazine calls “effervescent candy-for-the-spirit.” Explore the depths of theatrical innovation in NICKELODEON’S THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, 2018 Best Musical winner of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, where the power of optimism really can save the world.