The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2013-2014 THEATER SEASON:
-A new Kennedy Center production of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell’s Side Show
-Touring productions of Sister Act, Elf, Flashdance – The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, and the return of Million Dollar Quartet and Disney’s The Lion King.
-International Theater Festival 2014 highlighting theatrical works from around the world
DISNEY’S THE LION KING, June 17, 2014 – August 17, 2014, Opera House
Winner of six 1998 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Best Direction, and Best Costume Design, Disney’s The Lion King returns to the Kennedy Center after a sold-out nine-week engagement in June 2008. With direction and costumes by Julie Taymor, Elton John and Tim Rice’s score brings the rhythms of the African Pridelands to life with songs that include “Circle of Life,” the Oscar®-winning “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and much more.
ELF, December 17, 2013 – January 5, 2014, Opera House
One of the most beloved Hollywood holiday hits of the past decade is born again—live on stage. Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award® nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award® winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).
FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL – December 25, 2013 – January 19, 2014, Eisenhower Theater
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Flashdance – The Musical is a stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that defined a generation. With dance at its core, Flashdance – The Musical tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel mill welder by day and a bar dancer by night with dreams of one day becoming a professional performer. When romance with her steel mill boss threatens to complicate her ambitions, Alex learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel the pursuit of her dream. Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), the musical features a book by Tom Hedley (co-writer of the original screenplay) and Robert Cary and a score including the hit songs from the movie such as “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” “I Love Rock & Roll.” Additionally, 16 brand new songs have been written for the stage with music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, September 24, 2013 – October 6, 2013, Eisenhower Theater
Back by popular demand, the Tony Award® winning musical, directed by Eric Schaeffer and featuring a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, Million Dollar Quartet returns to the Kennedy Center after a sold-out three-week engagement in December 2012. On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions of all time. The show brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel , R&B and country hits including; “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, January 28, 2014 – February 16, 2014, Eisenhower Theater
Winner of five Tony Awards®, the musical play Peter and the Starcatcher takes a hilarious romp through the Neverland you never knew. This swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan will have you hooked from the moment you let your imagination take flight. An innovative and imaginative musical play based on the best-selling Disney-Hyperion novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatcher features a company of 12 actors who play more than 100 unforgettable characters, all on a journey to answer the century-old question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up? This epic origin story of popular culture’s most enduring and beloved character proves that your imagination is the most captivating place in the world.
SIDE SHOW, June 14, 2014 – July 13, 2014, Eisenhower Theater
The Kennedy Center in association with La Jolla Playhouse presents a revival of the musical Side Show. With music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, and direction by Academy Award® winning director Bill Condon, this new production is the first major revival since the production’s original 1997 Broadway debut. Side Show is based on the true story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression. It is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love.
SISTER ACT, October 29, 2013 – November 10, 2013, Opera House
Featuring original music by eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), Sister Act tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is reason to rejoice.
AN EVENING WITH PATTI LUPONE AND MANDY PATINKIN, February 18 – 23, 2014, Eisenhower Theater
Two of Broadway’s most venerated performers appear together again after their Tony Award® winning performances in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita (1980), Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin are reunited onstage for An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. Since then they have both starred in film, television, the concert stage, and back to Broadway.
BARBARA COOK’S SPOTLIGHT, November 1, 2013 – May 2, 2014, Terrace Theater
Now in its seventh season, Broadway legend Barbara Cook selects preeminent Broadway talent to perform on the Kennedy Center stage in a cabaret-style performance as part of her Spotlight series. The five performers in the 2013-2014 season include Tommy Tune on November 1, 2013; Lucie Arnaz on November 8, 2013; Patina Miller on December 6, 2013; Brian d’Arcy James on March 7, 2014; and Megan Hilty on May 2, 2014.
Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Brian d’Arcy James
Two-time Tony nominee Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek, Next to Normal, Sondheim at 80 at the Kennedy Center) joins Barbara Cook’s cabaret series.
Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Lucie Arnaz
Last seen at the Kennedy Center in 2007 with the NSO Pops, Emmy winner Lucie Arnaz (They’re Playing Our Song, Lost in Yonkers) brings her “lusty vibrato [and] disarming charm” (New York Daily News) to the Kennedy Center.
Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Megan Hilty
Megan Hilty (Wicked, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 9 to 5, TV’s Smash), follows her acclaimed NSO Pops concerts last season with an intimate evening in the Terrace Theater.
Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Patina Miller
Fresh from 2012’s First You Dream at the Kennedy Center, and soon in Broadway’s Pippin revival, Tony nominee Patina Miller (Sister Act) returns with her “funky, spunky stage presence and great comic timing” (Telegraph).
Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Tommy Tune
Tommy Tune hits the Terrace Theater stage, high-stepping through his nine-time Tony Award–winning career and celebrating more than 50 years on the Great White Way.
THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES 2013-2014, Family Theater
Elephant and Piggie’s We Are in a Play!
Orphie and the Book of Heroes
Rain Art Productions: Man of the House
Visible Fictions of Scotland: Robin Hood (part of International Theater Festival 2014)
Elephant and Piggie’s We are in a Play!
Best friends Gerald and Piggie find themselves on an excellent musical adventure in this world premiere adaptation of Mo Willems’ award-winning Elephant and Piggie books. Age 4+
Man of the House
In this world premiere, master storyteller David Gonzalez returns with a brand-new, semi-autobiographical solo show about Pablito, a young boy of Cuban/Puerto Rican heritage who searches for his long-lost father while spending a summer in Miami. Age 9+
Orphie and the Book of Heroes
Spunky and curious Orphie, a young girl in Ancient Greece, sets out to save storyteller Homer and his Book of Heroes in this humorous world premiere musical–a quest that takes her from the heights of Mt. Olympus to the depths of the underworld. Age 9+
Robin Hood
Updated, inventive, and hilarious, this U.S. premiere is unlike any Robin Hood you’ve seen before! Scotland’s acclaimed theater company Visible Fictions returns to bring this classic tale to life with a few actors and lots of imagination. Age 7+
PAGE-TO-STAGE, August 31, 2013 – September 2, 2013, Throughout the Center
The Kennedy Center hosts its 12th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival over Labor Day weekend, featuring more than 40 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area, all with a mission to produce and support new work. The three-day, Center-wide event offers a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals being developed by local, regional, and national playwrights, librettists, and composers in locations throughout the Center.
INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL 2014, March 10-30, 2014, Throughout the Center
Bristol Old Vic/Handspring Puppet Company (UK/South Africa): A Midsummer Night’s Dream Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes (Canada): Penny Plain
Sulayman Al-Bassam Theatre (Kuwait): A Reading of The Petrol Station
Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord (France):The Suit Visible Fictions (Scotland): Robin Hood Théâtre de l’Atelier (France): Savannah Bay Nalaga’at Theater Deaf-Blind Acting Ensemble (Israel): Not By Bread Alone (United States): ZINNIAS: The Life of Clementine Hunter National Theatre of China: Green Snake Tapioca Inn Mexico): Incendios La Mafia Teatro (Chile): La Muerte y La Doncella (Death and the Maiden)
International Theater Festival 2014 is supported through the generosity of the HRH Foundation.
KENNEDY CENTER AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATER FESTIVAL (KCACTF), April 14-19, 2014
Since its establishment 46 years ago, KCACTF has reached millions of theatergoers and hundreds of thousands of college and university theater students nationwide. The national festival brings together participants from regional festivals around the country to the Kennedy Center from April 14-19, 2014. The national festival includes an awards ceremony, an opportunity for participants to engage with colleagues from across the nation, as well as the Washington, D.C. theater community, scholarship eligibility, and master classes in the theatrical arts.
SHEAR MADNESS, Continuous, Theater Lab
Shear Madness still sparkles at the Kennedy Center with all the body, bounce, and shine of opening night. For 25 years, audiences are still trying to figure out whodunit as they spot the clues, question the suspects, and solve the funniest murder mystery in the annals of crime. The show combines up-to-the-minute improvisation and spontaneous humor to deliver a unique performance every night.
New Visions/New Voices 2014
Explore the Arts educational events including Theater Look-in’s will be held in conjunction with most productions as part of the Kennedy Center’s ongoing education program.
MYTIX PROGRAM
Several of this season’s theater performances will be part of the Kennedy Center’s MyTix program, which offers those 18-30 years old and active duty members of the armed services complimentary and discounted tickets to a wide variety of performances throughout the 2013-14 season. Patrons can visit kennedy-center.org/mytix to register and receive MyTix member benefits including a bi-weekly newsletter and ticket alerts, discounts on food and beverage service, discounts at Kennedy Center Gift Shops, and much more.
TICKET INFORMATION
To receive subscription information by mail, call the Subscription Office at (202) 416-8500. Subscriptions may be purchased in advance of general on sale dates. Groups of 20 or more may contact Kennedy Center Group Sales at (202) 416-8400. Dates for sales of individual tickets will be announced at a later date.
2013-2014 Season Schedule – Theater.
Performance Dates Theater Shows
August 31 – September 2, 2013 Throughout the Center Page-to-Stage
September 24 – October 6, 2013 Eisenhower Theater Million Dollar Quartet
October 29, 2013 – November 10, 2013 Opera House Sister Act
November 1, 2013 Terrace Theater Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Tommy Tune
November 8, 2013 Terrace Theater Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Lucie Arnaz
December 6, 2013 Terrace Theater Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Patina Miller
December 17, 2013 – January 5, 2014 Opera House Elf
December 25, 2013 – January 19, 2014 Eisenhower Theater Flashdance – The Musical
January 28, 2014 – February 16, 2014 Eisenhower Theater Peter and the Starcatcher
February 18 – 23, 2014 Eisenhower Theater An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin
March 7, 2014 Terrace Theater Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Brian d’Arcy James
March 10 – 30, 2014 Throughout the Center International Theater Festival 2014
April 14-19, 2014 Throughout the Center Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
May 2, 2014 Terrace Theater Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Megan Hilty
June 14, 2014 – July 13, 2014 Eisenhower Theater Side Show
June 17, 2014 – August 17, 2014 Opera House Disney’s The Lion King
Continuous Theater Lab Shear Madness
All artists and performances are subject to change.
FUNDING CREDITS
-Musical Theater at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Adrienne Arsht Musical Theater Fund.
-The Kennedy Center Theater Season is sponsored by Altria Group.
-Barbara Cook’s Spotlight is made possible through the generosity of the Charles E. Smith Family Foundation.
-Explore the Arts and MyTix are part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, which is generously funded by David and Alice Rubenstein.
-The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by David and Alice Rubenstein.
-Additional support for Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is provided by The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; and Beatrice and Anthony Welters and the AnBryce Foundation.
-Page-to-Stage is made possible by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation and Share Fund.
-Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
-International Programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.
-Check The Kennedy Center’s website: kennedy-center.org.
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