The Tennessee Performing Arts Center, affectionately known as TPAC, in downtown Nashville, Tenn., has planned an extraordinary lineup for this year’s Broadway touring season.
Opening with “Once” and ending the season with “Newsies,” theater patrons will have the opportunity to view seven incredible, award-winning shows.
The season officially opens with “Once,” the refreshingly original story of a street musician from Dublin who experiences a complicated connection with a beautiful woman just as he is about to give up his dream. Described as “a gem of a show” by the New York Post and having secured eight Tony Awards, “Once” is destined to be a memorable fan favorite.
This opening performance is unique in that it will not feature a live orchestra, but instead will have the actors play their own instruments on stage to create all music for the show, which runs from Sept. 16 until Sept. 21.
“Once” will be followed by “Chicago,” the quintessential Broadway musical that is a must for any theater enthusiast. Six-time Tony Award winning “Chicago” plays from Oct. 21 to Oct. 26 and, in addition to the memorable dance routine and catchy songs, this performance will feature John O’Hurley from “Seinfeld” and “Dancing With The Stars.”
From Nov. 4 through Nov. 9, TPAC will host “Camelot,” a new twist on the famous legend of King Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere and Lancelot. This revival has won four Tony Awards for its originality and brilliant execution.
At the start of the new year, the much anticipated “Kinky Boots” will inspire audiences by following the story of a shoe factory owner who partners with an entertainer in need of a new shoe design that will last longer than one performance. Together, they go on a journey to change the opinion of society.
“Kinky Boots” has six Tony Awards, features a score by Cyndi Lauper and, according to the New York Times, has a finale that is “one of the best curtain numbers since ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat”’ from “Hairspray.” It will be playing Feb. 3 to Feb. 8.
Also in February, TPAC will be hosting “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the popular family musical of Israel’s golden boy and his famous multicolored coat. This musical is directed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbueler and features inspiring songs and memorable choreography. It will be showing from Feb. 17 to Feb. 22.
“Pippin” will also make an appearance at TPAC this season from March 10 to March 15. “Pippin” follows the story of a man’s journey to break out of the life expected of him and become amazingly unique. This magnificent musical features songs and magical moments constructed by the composer of “Wicked” and has won four Tony Awards.
The Disney musical “Newsies” will wrap up this year’s Broadway season May 26 to May 31. This fresh, family musical is about newspaper boys who land on the headlines of the very newspapers they deliver. The musical has secured two Tony Awards and is sure to end the season on a spectacular note.
In addition to the Broadway lineup that will be featured this season, TPAC will be hosting many other shows, a complete list of which can be found on its website. Probably the most popular, non-Broadway musical featured this year will be “The Book of Mormon.” This controversial satire from the creators of “South Park” has already won nine Tony Awards and will be performed Nov. 18 to Nov. 23.
This article was written by staff writer, Nikki Sneed.