The Tennessee Performing Arts Center officially announced its 2019 to 2020 HCA/TriStar Health Broadway season Tuesday evening and introduced their new CEO and President Jennifer Turner.
Turner will assume the role after the retirement of former CEO and President Kathleen O’Brien.
“I have grown to feel wonderful about my retirement because I’m placing it in the hands of this wonderful new president and CEO who will serve you well,” O’Brien said.
But the main event of the night was the announcement of the 2019 to 2020 season, featuring live performances, beach balls and an excited crowd.
The event kicked off with a soulful rendition of “You Will Be Found” from the Broadway smash hit “Dear Evan Hansen,” performed by 2018 Spotlight winners Tiyanna Gentry and Sevon Askew and accompanied by local high school students.
The number lead into the first announcement of the night, with “Dear Evan Hansen” coming to TPAC from Sept. 10 to 15. “Hamilton” was announced to start 2020 off with a bang, with its opening night on New Year’s Eve. The musical will run through Jan. 19, making it the only performance to have a three-week engagement.
A heartfelt ballad from “Jesus Christ Superstar” and a groovy closing number from “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” left audience members in an uproar of applause.
The season is also packed with multiple Tony Award winning musicals like “The Color Purple,” “Once on This Island” and “SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical.” The lineup will also feature “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Cats,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” “My Fair Lady” and “Escape to Margaritaville.”
“Blue Man Group” is set to have a special engagement in 2020 from Feb. 11-16.
Find TPAC’s 2018 to 2019 Broadway schedule below, or visit TPAC’s website for more information.
TPAC’s 2019-20 Broadway Schedule:
Dear Evan Hansen Sept. 10-15 2019
Once on This Island Oct. 15-20 2019
SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical Nov. 5-10 2019
Hamilton Dec. 31, 2019 – Jan. 19, 2020
My Fair Lady Feb. 4-9 2020
Escape to Margaritaville May 5-10 2020
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical May 26-31 2020
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory June 9-14 2020
Special Engagement:
Cats Nov. 19-24 2019
Blue Man Group Feb. 11-16 2020
Jesus Christ Superstar Mar. 3-8 2020
The Color Purple Mar. 27-29 2020
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This article and photo by Tina James. Contributing reporting by Lydia Fletcher.