Broadway Center announces 25th anniversary season

LILY TOMLIN

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts has an extra-special line-up of performers scheduled for its 2008-09 season.

Featuring performers from all genres, the season will encompass some of the biggest and brightest entertainers in Broadway Center history: hilarious comedians and storytellers Lily Tomlin, Martin Short, and David Sedaris; fresh new musicals “Movin’ Out,” “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Altar Boyz;” local musical greats like Seattle Men’s Chorus and nationally known favorites like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; and theater productions “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” and “Aladdin: A New Musical Comedy” in the campy British tradition.

“Our 25th anniversary season is the perfect way to celebrate the Broadway Center’s role as the center of the performing arts in the region and recognize 9th and Broadway as a gathering place that has connected generations of our community,” said BCPA Executive Director David Fischer. “The 2008-09 season offers diverse programs, new talent and several recognizable stars to the stages. It’s an exciting combination and we hope everyone will indulge in the theater experience.”

In a new partnership with Chambers Creek Properties, August 9 will launch the grand opening celebration and the commencement of the Broadway Center season with Concerts at Chambers Creek, an outdoor concert experience. The show features folk legend Judy Collins with Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and Jonatha Brooke. Tickets are now on sale for this event.

Then, the official opening night is set for Sept. 27 with the 25th anniversary performance “A Salute to Vaudeville: Voice of the City.” The performance pays homage to the Pantages Theater’s origins as an original Vaudeville house of the roaring 1920s, and will feature a spectacular variety show with the best of regional novelty artists and many of the Broadway Center’s resident arts organizations.

Broadway Center memberships and ticket packages for those purchasing four or more events will be on sale beginning June 15. Advance ticket buyers will receive one parking pass per show, when purchasing four or more events on or before July 25. Single tickets are on sale beginning Aug. 1. Broadway Center members receive access to the best seats, special receptions and other great benefits and savings. To find out more information on how to become a member, request a brochure or order tickets call the Broadway Center box office at (253) 591-5894, toll-free at (800) 291-7593, or visit the box office at 901 Broadway in Tacoma’s Theater District. For more information regarding upcoming events visit http://www.broadwaycenter.org.

Here is a sampling of what is in store:

• A Tribute to Gospel Music: Starring Crystal Aikin – Oct. 12. Winner of BET’s “Sunday Best,” Tacoma celebrity Crystal Aiken will bring a lively performance to the stage in a tribute to gospel music.
• Book-It Repertory Theatre presents “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” – Oct. 17-26. Tom Robbins’ 1979 counterculture classic follows the wild adventures of one woman as she hitchhikes across America and accumulates a collection of renegade cowgirls along the way. (Performance contains adult material and is advised for a mature audience only.)
• “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – Oct. 29. Tony Award-winning musical comedy is an offbeat and heartwarming show that demonstrates that winning is not everything and that losing does not make you a loser.
• An Evening with David Sedaris – Oct. 30. NPR humorist and best-selling author takes the stage for an evening of dry wit and hilarious observations on modern life. (Performance contains adult material and is advised for a mature audience only.)
• “Scrooge: The Movie Musical” and 63rd annual holiday tree lighting – Nov. 29. Embrace the holiday season with a special showing of the “Scrooge: The Movie Musical” and the 63rd annual holiday tree lighting.
• Seattle Men’s Chorus: “Fruitcake” – Dec. 13. Soaked in intoxicating spirits, with a bit of spice, nuts and fruit tossed in for fun – the annual holiday tradition continues with a mix of music, laughter and tears.
• An Evening with Martin Short – Nov. 8. Comedic chameleon and oh-so-famous Jiminy Glick interviews a local celebrity live!
• Centerstage presents “Aladdin: A New Musical Comedy” – Dec. 18-21. In true English pantomime tradition, families will love the laughter, song and dance of this rowdy and boisterous holiday event for all ages.
• Peking Acrobats – Jan. 11. Transforming 2,000-year-old athletic disciplines into an all-ages kaleidoscope of entertainment and wonder
• Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s “Movin’ Out” – Jan. 14. Five-time Grammy winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create a spectacular new musical – one of Broadway’s best shows in years!
• American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir – Jan. 21. A powerful celebration of musical icons like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and many more honoring rock and roll’s cultural impact!
• Klezmatics – Feb. 24. Hip, hot and holy! Grammy Award-winning klezmer superstars of the klezmer world
• “Show Way” – March 1. From slavery to freedom, “Show Way” is a colorful and historical stage adaptation of Jacqueline Woodson’s Newbery Honor book.
• Cathie Ryan – March 6. If you love songs from the heart, do not miss the crystalline vocals of Celtic sprite Cathie Ryan.
• Intergalactic Nemesis: A Comic Radio Play – March 7-8. Experience a 1930s radio show as a member of the live audience in an exciting adventure that is one part “Star Wars” and one part “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
• Pushcart Players present “Red Riding Hood and Other Stories” – March 20. Take a fabulous journey into once upon a time with this collection of timeless tales for the entire family.
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – April 3. One of the hottest and hippest swing bands today, with influences from Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino and the Dirty Dozen Marching Band.
• “Altar Boyz” – April 9. An award-winning new musical full of sharp and silly parody is a spoof about a heavenly boy-band that has audiences and critics alike cheering “Hallelujah!”
• 3 Redneck Tenors: A New Musical Adventure – April 17. A comical trio of Beethoven and light beer, Mozart and NASCAR, and Rameau and redneck, making for one spectacularly unusual performance. Bet ya a can of Copenhagen that you’ve never seen or heard anything like it!
• An Afternoon of Classic Lily Tomlin – April 26. One of America’s foremost comediennes will bring her most entertaining character to the stage – herself!
• Do Jump!: Aerial Dance – May 8. A unique blend of creativity and community spirit, these acrobats will turn the world upside down one person at a time.
• Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway – May 16. Back by popular demand, Neil Berg brilliantly recreates new and classic hit Broadway songs to life in a night of musical theater.

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