STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BUFFALO — Shea’s Performing Arts Center and Broadway Partner/Producer Albert Nocciolino announced the M&T Bank 2017-18 Broadway Series lineup today, featuring multiple Tony-Award winning musicals, Broadway hits, and the first national tour of “On Your Feet!,” launching in Buffalo — and an early announcement that Hamilton: An American Musical will make its way to Buffalo in 2018 as part of the 2018-19 lineup.
On Your Feet!: Sept. 22 – 30
From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. From international superstardom to life-threatening tragedy, On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys), and an original book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), On Your Feet! brings to Buffalo some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century — and one of the most inspiring stories in music history.
The Bodyguard: Oct. 24 – 29
Based on the smash hit film, this award-winning musical will star Grammy® Award-nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox. Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You. With the story of Lawrence Kasdan’s Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film and adapted by Academy Award-winner (Birdman) Alexander Dinelaris, The Bodyguard had its world premiere in London’s West End where it was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and won Best New Musical at the Whatsonstage Awards.
The Lion King: Dec. 13 – Jan. 7 (special subscriber option)
More than 90 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, and now you can, too, when Western New York’s best-loved musical returns to Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing
backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like The Lion King.
Subscribers have the option to add The Lion King to their 2017-18 Subscription Package or to order tickets prior to the general public on sale.
Waitress: Feb. 6 – 11
Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by sixtime Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland). “It’s an empowering musical of the highest order!” raves the Chicago Tribune. Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.
Something Rotten!: Mar. 6 – 11
Direct from Broadway, Something Rotten! is a “big, fat hit!” (New York Post). Set in the ‘90s – the 1590s – this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom (Tony® nominee Rob McClure and Broadway’s Josh Grisetti), two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the “rock star” Shakespeare (Tony® nominee Adam Pascal) keeps getting all the hits. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time,
Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical.
School of Rock: April 3 – 8, 2018
Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as
a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and musical theatre’s first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage.
The Phantom of the Opera: April 23 – May 6, 2018 (2016-17 Special Engagement)
Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera returns to Buffalo as part of a brand new North American Tour. This production, which retains the beloved story and thrilling score, boasts exciting new special effects, scenic and lighting designs, staging and choreography and has been hailed by critics as “bigger and better than ever before.” See this new production of THE PHANTOM and then enjoy its compelling sequel, Love Never Dies.
Love Never Dies: June 5 – 10, 2018
This story of boundless love, full of passion and drama, follows Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, one of the most successful musicals of all time, which has now been seen by more than 130 million people worldwide and is the winner of over 50 international awards. The ultimate love story continues in Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives among the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. In this new, electrically charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daaé. Now one of the world’s finest sopranos, Christine accepts an invitation to travel from Paris to New York to perform at a renowned opera house. Christine’s marriage to Raoul is suffering at the hands of his drinking and gambling and they desperately need the financial rewards that America can give them. In a final bid to win back Christine’s love, the Phantom lures her, Raoul, and their young son Gustave, from Manhattan to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island… not knowing what is in store for them…
Hamilton: An American Musical (2018-19 Season)
Finally, the theatre announced that Hamilton: The Musical will be part of the 2018-19 season — with the caveat that 2017-2018 season ticket holders will have first access to the show.
To order, call (716) 847-0850, go to www.sheas.org or to the Shea’s Ticket Office, 650 Main St. Upcoming single ticket on sale dates will be posted to www.sheas.org when that information becomes available.
