2012-2013 Broadway Series

Based on the hit DreamWorks film that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and the incredible true story that inspired it, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is the high-flying, splashy new Broadway musical that tells the story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer — living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. Don’t miss this big-hearted musical adventure based on an astonishing real-life story of being young, in love…and in deep, deep trouble!
(Sarasota Premiere, December 6 & 7, 2012)

More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere." As the Associated Press says, "WEST SIDE STORY" remains Broadway's best dance-driven musical. Five decades have not dimmed the extraordinary choreography or the score that pulsates throughout."
(December 10 & 11, 2012)

TRACES combines awe-inspiring acrobatics with infectious urban energy. “The most fun and memorable 90 minutes you will have all year." - Entertainment Weekly. This thrilling modern brand of circus is infused with the energy of street performance. The artists of TRACES employ every trick in the book—from music, dance, and illustration to skateboarding, basketball, and high-risk acrobatics—to make a lasting impression. TRACES is spectacularly anti-spectacle, relying instead on the fantastic abilities of the performers, individuals who appear to be nothing more than a group of friends, just as easygoing, affable, and potentially clumsy as the guy next door—until they unleash ninety minutes of heart-stopping acrobatics and unbridled energy that leave audiences breathless and exhilarated.
(Sarasota Premiere, February 6, 2013)

Championed by the Gershwin Estate, THE GERSHWIN CONCERT EXPERIENCE: HERE TO STAY is the multimedia concert event celebrating the greatest team of collaborators in the history of American music. HERE TO STAY provides unique and entertaining insight into the legendary Gershwin duo, and offers rare audio and video footage of the Gershwins. Family photos, rare video clips, and elegant, state-of-the-art visuals provide a distinctive and unique experience and an unforgettable offering of the Gershwin brothers’ best. This special event features Kevin Cole, the leading Gershwin interpreter, Grammy award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair, and tap dancing sensation Ryan VanDenBoom. Performances include classic Gershwin favorites like “Rhapsody in Blue,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Strike Up the Band,” “The Man I Love,” “‘S Wonderful,” and many more.
(Sarasota Premiere, February 10, 2013)

“PETER PAN sparkles with fairy dust! Rigby has mastered the boy who wouldn’t grow up.” - Washington Post. Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in an all new production of PETER PAN! Discover the magic all over again of this two time Emmy Award-winning and two time Tony Award nominated production. The New York Times says “Rigby still carries off the flights, fights and acrobatics that make PETER PAN audiences mesmerized.” PETER PAN is filled with timeless magical moments and a captivating hook. The legend you thought you knew, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible… Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN!
(February 19 & 20, 2013)

Dream the Dream. Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show “a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.”
(March 5-March 10, 2013)

Winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, the Public Theater’s new production of HAIR is an electric celebration on stage! This 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 an extraordinary cast and unforgettable songs, including “Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In,” "Good Morning, Starshine" and “Easy To Be Hard.” Its relevance is undeniable. Its energy is unbridled. Its truth is unwavering. It's HAIR, and IT'S TIME. "The Ultimate American Rock Musical!"- Ben Brantley, The New York Times. "HAIR speaks to a whole new generation!" -Time Out; “Irresistible. The Best Version Yet!” - The Washington Post.
*For Mature Audiences. While many find this show suitable for young adults (13 and older), parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature.
(April 2, 2013)

Come on, babe- experience it live and in person…the one, the only CHICAGO the Musical! This razzle-dazzle tale of sin and celebrity is the recipient of six Tony® Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations. CHICAGO is the sensation that just keeps getting bigger and bigger. With everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping-song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen, it’s no wonder the critics are saying, “CHICAGO has no peer on Broadway in matters of wit, style and sheer musical riches.” —Variety. “The most entertaining musical of the decade” —Associated Press. Whether you’re looking for your first Broadway musical, seen the Academy Award-winning film and want to experience the show live, or seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers.
(April 9 & 10)

THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a smash-hit musical comedy that brings the darkly delirious world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and, of course, Lurch to spooky and spectacular life. “A visually satisfying, rib-tickling, lunatic musical that will entertain you to death!” according to Toronto Post City, this magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, Drama Desk-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party), choreographer Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and Olivier Award-winning director/designers Phelim McDermott & Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter) with production supervision by four-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Zaks. Come meet the family. We’ll leave the lights off for you.
(Sarasota Premiere April 22, 2013)

2012-2013 Broadway Specials

THE MIDTOWN MEN is the special concert tour that reunites four stars from the Original Cast of Broadway's Jersey Boys. Tony-Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony-Award nominee J. Robert Spencer, star in this one-of-a-kind concert experience celebrating the music that defined the 1960s! During their time in the mega-hit musical Jersey Boys, these four talented artists shared the stage for over a thousand performances. Additionally, they delighted television audiences with appearances on the Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve, among many others. They also performed at Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, the US OPEN, Yankee Stadium and Broadway on Broadway in Times Square and are featured on the show's Grammy-Award-winning album. Now these four Broadway Stars are taking their own unique sound and chemistry on the road, singing the hits of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Jackson Five, The Mamas and The Papas, the Four Seasons and more!
(Sarasota Premiere, December 28, 2012)

STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. USA Today declares, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” See what all the noise is about!
(January 3, 2013)

Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT is the outrageous new musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Based on the Tony Award winning direction of Mike Nichols, with a book by Eric Idle and music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez, SPAMALOT tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up SPAMALOT! “Sparking, Seamless and Utterly Goofy! SPAMALOT functions with precision-tooled musical comedy clockwork. There’s something delicious about indulging in the loopy insanity of it all again and again!”- Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times
(January 27, 2013)

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD takes the audience on a nostalgic journey through the most popular musicals of the last 50 years— celebrating the very best Hollywood films of all time! Featuring a cast of 14 wonderful singers and dancers, a six-piece band, and over 300 costume changes, HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD sings and dances its way through over 30 songs including “Staying Alive,” “All That Jazz,” “Dancing Queen,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and many more! Enjoy film clips of your favorite movies from Singing in the Rain and The Glen Miller Story to Grease, Dirty Dancing, and Titanic.
(Sarasota Premiere, February 16, 2013)

In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed -- to have the chance to dance. This is A CHORUS LINE, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards®, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. Now A CHORUS LINE returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best!
(February 25, 2013)

The PIRATES OF PENZANCE set sail with a classic comedy that boasts one of the most famous patter songs in musical theatre history. On the coast of Cornwall, a band of tenderhearted pirates celebrates the coming of age of Frederic, who was mistakenly apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday. Now, Frederic has vowed to devote his life to the extermination of piracy…until a ludicrous leap year snag threatens to keep him apprenticed to the pirates for life! Throw in a bevy of beauties, a brash Pirate King, the delightfully stuffy Major-General Stanley and you've got what The New York Times calls "an endearing production with high musical standards and spirited performances." The PIRATES OF PENZANCE—  At least they're employed!
(March 13, 2013)

Direct from Broadway! RAIN Returns! RAIN, the internationally-acclaimed Beatles concert, returns by popular demand! As “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press), RAIN performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage, including the most complex and challenging songs that The Beatles themselves recorded in the studio but never performed for an audience. Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. From the early hits to later classics (“I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “ Let It Be,” “ Come Together,” “ Hey Jude” and more), this adoring tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends!
(April 26, 2013)

This season the Van Wezel is offering 4 great subscription packages for as low as $350 for all 9 shows! Broadway I features Catch Me If You Can, West Side Story, TRACES, The Gershwin Experience, and Les Misérables; Broadway II includes Peter Pan, Les Misérables, HAIR, Chicago the Musical, and The Addams Family; Broadway III is for those who wish to subscribe to all 9 fabulous Broadway shows. Subscribe to Broadway I or Broadway II and get up to a 15% discount. Subscribe to Broadway III and get up to a 20% discount! If you would like to CREATE YOUR OWN then we have a package for you as well. Mix and match four or more of any of our Broadway shows and/or Broadway Specials and get up to a 10% discount! Subscribers get up to a 10% discount on any Broadway Special. Enjoy great perks as a subscriber-- choice seats, discounted tickets, exchange privileges for shows with multiple performances, discounts at the bar, special offers, and our easy-payment plan. (Discounts are not available for Golden Circle or Smart Seats.)

There are three easy ways to subscribe: by mail to Van Wezel Box Office, 777 N. Tamiami, Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236; visiting the Box Office Monday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM, Saturday 10 AM-4 PM, and open later on show days; and by calling 941-953-3368, Toll Free at 1-800-826-9303. After April 23 the Box Office hours will be: Monday-Friday 10 AM-3 PM; Closed on Saturday and Sunday. Subscriptions are NOT currently available online. The Broadway Series is sponsored by Wilde Lexus of Sarasota and ABC 7.