News

Sarasota, FL (March 17, 2024) – The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is thrilled to announce its 2024-2025 Season Subscription Series, featuring nine Broadway blockbusters and a variety of specials. Anchoring the season is the 10-time Tony Award-winner, Moulin Rouge! The Musical (March 18-23), based on the Baz Luhrmann film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the story of a lovesick American writer, Christian, and Satine, the dazzling star of the Moulin Rouge nightclub. When their lives collide at the Moulin Rouge, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be thwarted by the nightclub’s host and a wealthy, entitled patron.

Mary Bensel, Executive Director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, expresses her enthusiasm for the upcoming season, “Building on the great success of last season’s Blockbuster shows, Hamilton, Hadestown and Ain’t Too Proud, I knew we needed to bring in another fantastic season! Audiences will be captivated by the splendor and romance of Tony Award-winning Best Musical Moulin Rouge, they’ll laugh along with the hilarious new musical Beetlejuice, which is breaking box office records everywhere, enjoy the sensational revival of Funny Girl, and marvel at the world’s most popular musical, Les Misérables. It’s a season not to be missed.”

The Broadway Subscription Series features seven Sarasota Premieres starting with the Tony and Grammy Award-winning sensation, Dear Evan Hansen (November 1-2), which follows the story of a high school student who always feels like he’s on the outside looking in. After writing a letter to himself that was never meant to be seen, Evan Hansen becomes entangled in a lie that was never meant to be told and a life he never dreamt could be his. This is followed by the uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical (December 13-15). Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll.
Ring in the new year at Clue (December 30-31), the uproarious new play based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

The glorious Broadway revival of Funny Girl (January 14-19) dazzles with celebrated smash-hit songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

On the heels of Wednesday, the 3rd most-watched show on Netflix of all-time, The Addams Family (January 28-29) is the devilishly delightful musical comedy based on the bizarre and beloved characters by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. This comical feast embraces the wackiness in every family and is sure to delight theater goers of all ages.

Returning to the Van Wezel this season is Come From Away (February 18-20), the stirring and inspiring musical that takes you into the heart of the remarkable small town in Newfoundland that opened their homes to 7,000 stranded traveler on 9/11. Also returning is Les Misérables (April 8-13), the world’s most popular musical. Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The gorgeous score includes “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own” and “One Day More.”

Completing the Broadway lineup is Beetlejuice (April 22-27), the hilarious new musical based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film. The musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. Under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!

“We are looking forward to bringing remarkable shows to Sarasota each year, and this season certainly accomplishes that,” adds Bensel. “We have glitz, glamour, comedy, incredible music, and inspiring stories featured among these productions.”

This season also features eight Subscriber Specials, starting with the holiday crowd favorite Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert (December 29), followed by the hysterical sequel to the smash-hit Menopause The Musical®, Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’ (January 4), and H.M.S. Pinafore (January 27), the satirical sendup that helped Gilbert and Sullivan chart a new course for modern musical theatre. There is also the sensuous and sophisticated Forever Tango (February 6), and the annual celebration of Broadway’s greatest songs at Neil Berg’s 115 Years of Broadway (March 2), followed by Twyla Tharp Dance: Diamond Jubilee (March 4), the only choreographer to take on the intensely demanding and demonically complex “Diabelli Variations.” Finally, there’s the violin legend Itzhak Perlman (March 16) and the Branford Marsalis Quartet (April 2), featuring Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, one of the most influential and revered figures in contemporary music.

Production photos and a detailed list of show descriptions can be downloaded from this link.

Patrons are now able to reserve their subscriptions for the upcoming season. There are three Broadway subscription packages available: the “Full Subscription” featuring all nine Broadway shows with up to a 20% discount off single ticket prices, the “Make Your Own 6+ Series Subscription,” featuring six or more shows of your choosing for up to a 15% discount, and the “Make Your Own 4+ Series Subscription” featuring four or more shows of your choosing for up to a 10% discount. Subscriber Specials can be added to the subscription package.

Renewing subscribers will be seated before any new subscribers and e-club members. Subscribers enjoy benefits such as getting the best seats, ticket exchanges and discounts of up to 20%. Subscription packages are available for purchase online at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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The Broadway Series is locally sponsored by Lexus of Sarasota and ABC7.

Select subscriber specials (Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert, HMS Pinafore, Forever Tango, Itzhak Perlman, and Branford Marsalis Quartet) are sponsored by WUSF Public Media.

About the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall presents a broad spectrum of the world’s finest performers representing the diverse tastes of Southwest Florida residents and visitors. The Van Wezel has carried on the long tradition of presenting spectacular Broadway musicals, top national and international performers, popular comedians, world-class symphony orchestras, and a compelling mix of classical, modern and ethnic dance. In carrying out the mission of the Hall, the Van Wezel’s education program brings visiting artists into the community and area schools for a wealth of educational and outreach activities. To learn more about the Van Wezel, visit VanWezel.org.