Friday, May 13, 2016

Broadway at the National Announces 2016-17 Season

Fun Home makes its DC premiere at the National Theatre, April 18, 2017

From our friends at the National Theatre...

Broadway at the National Subscriptions on Sale Now

Broadway at the National announces its 2016-17 season, with a total of 17 Tony Awards - including three Best Musicals - among the productions being presented. The season features the Washington premiere of the five-time Tony-winning Best Musical Fun Home, based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir; the 20th anniversary return of Rent, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème; the eight-time Tony-winning Once; and the Washington premiere of the holiday classic Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.

Subscription packages start at $145 and are available beginning today, May 12, by calling the subscription hotline at 1(855) 486-2516. New or renewing subscribers of the 2016-17 Broadway at the National season will receive priority access for tickets to Hamilton at the Kennedy Center upon renewing their subscription to Broadway at the National’s 2017-18 season.


Group sales are also available by calling (855) 486-2516. Single tickets will go on sale later this year. For more information, visit www.thenationaldc.com.

This upcoming season, Broadway at the National will offer a three-show package that includes Fun Home, Rent, and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. Tickets to Once may be added to any subscription package.

“We’re thrilled to present another terrific Broadway season at the National Theatre, including the Washington premiere of the groundbreaking musical Fun Home,” said Steve Traxler, president of Jam Theatricals. “It’s a show that DC audiences will appreciate for its intelligence, humor, and honesty.”

Fun Home made history in 2015 by being the first musical exclusively written by women to ever win the Tony Award for Best Musical. Book and lyrics writer Lisa Kron and composer Jeanine Tesori also became the first female writing team to win the Tony for Best Score. This wholly original musical, directed by Tony winner Sam Gold, is based on Alison Bechdel’s true story looking back at her childhood, revealing memories of her uniquely dysfunctional family that connect with her in surprising new ways.

The first national tour of Rent made its Washington debut at the National Theatre in 1997, and the 20th anniversary tour returns to the stage next summer. Original director Michael Greif will again direct Jonathan Larson’s celebrated musical, which changed the landscape of American theater.

Back by popular demand, Once captures the heart and imagination of anyone who has had a dream. Based on the John Carney film of the same name, the musical evokes the intimacy of an Irish pub, with an ensemble of actors/musicians who play their instruments on stage.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical brings Whoville to Washington in time for the holidays in December. This family-friendly musical features the hit songs “Welcome Christmas” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from the beloved original animated classic along with new favorites, as it shares the timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas.

For additional information on the 2016-17 Broadway season at the National Theatre, please see below.

Once
Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Makéta Inglová,
Book by Enda Walsh
Directed by John Tiffany
Movement by Steven Hoggett
November 25-27, 2016
Winner of eight Tony Awards, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than an everyday romance.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Washington, DC, Premiere
Music by Mel Marvin; Lyrics and Book by Timothy Mason; Additional Music by Albert Hague; Additional Lyrics by Dr. Seuss
December 13-31, 2016
Celebrate the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” the Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos.

Fun Home
Washington, DC, Premiere
Music by Jeanine Tesori; Lyrics and Book by Lisa Kron
Directed by Sam Gold
Choreography by
April 18 - May 13, 2017
Every once in a while a Broadway musical comes along that surprises, moves and excites audiences in ways only a truly landmark musical can. The “ground-breaking,” “life-affirming,” and “exquisite” new musical Fun Home was the event of the Broadway season, receiving raves from critics and audiences alike, winning five 2015 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and making history along the way. Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Home introduces us to Alison at three different ages as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood.

Rent
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Michael Greif
Choreography by Marlies Yearby
June 20-25, 2017
A re-imagining of Puccini's La BohèmeRent follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters - love.

Productions and dates are subject to change.

About the National Theatre:
Jam Theatricals began programming and managing the National Theatre in 2012. Recent presentations include the pre-Broadway engagement of If/Then with Idina Menzel, Blithe Spirit starring Angela Lansbury, Jersey Boys, and the Washington premieres of Motown The Musical, American Idiot, and Newsies. Located at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the National Theatre opened in 1835 and is one of the oldest continuously operating Broadway theaters in the nation. Over the years, the National has hosted a multitude of memorable events, including the pre-Broadway presentations of the musicals Show Boat; Hello, Dolly!; and West Side Story. Many of the world’s greatest performers have graced the National Theatre stage including Robert Redford, George C. Scott, Will Rogers, Helen Hayes, James Earl Jones, Eartha Kitt, Sir Laurence Olivier, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Katherine Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Ian McKellen, Debbie Reynolds, and Audrey Hepburn.

About Jam Theatricals:
Under the direction of co-founders Arny Granat and Steve Traxler, Jam Theatricals manages more than 25 Broadway series markets across North America and has produced more than 45 shows on Broadway, receiving 24 Tony Award nominations and winning eight Tony Awards. Productions this season on Broadway include China Doll, Fiddler on the Roof, The Color Purple, and Waitress.