Broadway in Scranton announces 2023-2024 season with 6 musicals at Scranton Cultural Center
From a press release:
Today, NAC Entertainment and the Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania announced the new Broadway in Scranton season – its biggest yet – coming to the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.
The 2023-2024 season features six live shows that include beloved classics, Tony Award winners, musicals for the entire family, and three productions making their Scranton stage debut – “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Hairspray,” “Annie,” “The Cher Show,” “Come from Away,” and “Pretty Woman.”
“We want to thank our subscribers and patrons for their support season after season. We’re excited to continue bringing the power and magic of live theatre to NEPA!” said Thomas Combs of NAC Entertainment.
The lineup was heavily influenced by the votes of the local community. In a survey sent by Broadway in Scranton earlier this year, audiences answered a series of questions about potential show selections.
“Our audience response was instrumental in choosing this season’s productions. Not only will they be seeing their top-voted choices, but they also had a hand in choosing when to see these shows,” Combs noted.
The upcoming season has changed performance times, with Friday and Saturday evening performances now at 7:30 p.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center (420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton).
“We believe that the increase in the number of shows and the new starting times will result in a record number of people in the seats this year. The demand for Broadway is strong in our area, and we look forward to continuing our vital role and contribution to the quality of life in NEPA,” Broadway Theatre League Executive Director Frank T. Blasi stated.
Season package tickets, which are $240, $330, $390, and $450 for all six shows, go on sale this Thursday, July 20 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at broadwayinscranton.com, in person at the Broadway Theatre League office (345 N. Washington Ave., Scranton), or by calling the BTL office at 570-342-7784. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Season ticket benefits include the choice of the best seats, the same seat for each show, a better price over individual tickets, flexible payment plan options to space the purchase out over time (which can be arranged in person at the BTL office or over the phone at 570-342-7784), ticket exchanges for another performance of the same show, and insurance for lost tickets. Season ticket holders are also the first to hear about any extra shows that are added throughout the season and receive advance purchase privileges.
Dates for individual ticket sales will be announced at a later time and can be purchased at the Scranton Cultural Center box office. broadwayinscranton.com and ticketmaster.com are the only official online outlets to purchase tickets for Broadway in Scranton. All shows and dates are subject to change.
Broadway in Scranton 2023-2024 Season
“Jesus Christ Superstar”
Oct. 27-29, 2023
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, a new mesmerizing production of the iconic musical phenomenon returns to the stage. Appealing to both theatre 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 lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, “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.”
“Hairspray”
Jan. 12-14, 2024
You can’t stop the beat because “Hairspray,” Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, is back on tour. Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?
This all-new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team, led by director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, to bring “Hairspray” to a new generation of theatre audiences. Don’t miss this “exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted musical comedy” (The New Yorker).
“Annie”
Feb. 16-18, 2024
Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination and, sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production, just as audiences remember it and just when they need it most.
“Annie,” directed by Jenn Thompson, features the iconic book and score written by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin. This celebration of family, optimism, and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws everyone’s way.
“The Cher Show”
March 1-3, 2024
Superstars come and go – Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture – breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries, and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. “The Cher Show” is the Tony Award-winning musical of her story, and it’s packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play her – the kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon.
The show includes 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy, an Oscar, an Emmy, and enough Tony Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have audiences dancing in the aisles.
“Come from Away”
April 5-7, 2024
Broadway’s “Come from Away” is a Best Musical winner all 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 friendships.
This breathtaking new musical was written by Tony nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein and helmed by Tony-winning Best Director Christopher Ashley. “It takes you to a place you never want to leave!” Newsweek cheered.
On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all.
“Pretty Woman”
May 17-19, 2024
“Pretty Woman: The Musical,” based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (“Hairspray,” “Kinky Boots,” “Legally Blonde”). The show will lift spirits and light up hearts.
“If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News). “Pretty Woman” delivers on all the iconic moments that fans of the film remember. Experience this dazzling theatrical take on a love story for the ages that makes audiences fall in love all over again.
“Hairspray” photo by Jeremy Daniel
