'Kinky Boots' leads Broadway Grand Rapids 2014-15 season in high-heeled style

Broadway Grand Rapids 2014-15 season

Subscription Series:

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Sept. 30-Oct. 5: Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enduring tale of Israel’s favorite son Joseph, his coat, and his 11 brothers comes alive on stage with former "American Idol" contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young playing the roles of the Narrator and Joseph. Rated: All Ages

“Once” Nov. 4-9: Winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical, “Once” tells the tale of a Dublin street musician on the verge of giving up on his career when he finds his muse in a beautiful young woman. All performers in this musical play their own instruments on stage. Rated: PG (strong language)

“Annie” Jan. 13-18, 2015: The classic tale of the little orphan and her dog who foil Miss Hannigan’s plans, befriend a president, and find a new home with a gruff billionaire comes to the stage with familiar songs such as “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” Rated: All Ages

"Kinky Boots" June 2-7, 2015: The 2013 winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical tells the story of a struggling shoe factory owner who gets business help from a flamboyant drag queen and features a book written by Harvey Fierstein and a score by Cyndi Lauper. Rated: PG

Special Events:

“Elf The Musical” Nov. 28-30: The story follows Buddy, an orphan raised by Santa and his elves, who returns to find his biological father, his true identity and to help New York City remember the spirit of Christmas.

“I Love Lucy – Live On Stage” Feb. 10-12, 2015: This stage show takes you back to 1952 as a member of the television studio audience for a taping of an episode of "I Love Lucy." Complete with a host, live commercials and the quirky quartet of Desi, Lucy, Fred and Ethel, who perform some of their funniest skits.

“Dancing Pros Live!” April 17, 2015: Hosted by TV star Alan Thicke, this live competition features “Dancing with the Stars” professionals Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo, as well as singers from “American Idol” and “The Voice.” The performers are rated by electronic voting that allows the audience to pick the winner.

“Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles” May 13, 2015: Returning to the Broadway Grand Rapids stage, “Rain” delivers the next best thing to seeing the Beatles perform. The multimedia concert takes you through decades of The Beatles library of music all performed live by the four cast members on stage.

Tickets:

The four-show subscription series prices are $109-$338, depending on date and seat. Special event tickets range from $27.50-$32.50. Tickets are on sale at the Broadway Grand Rapids office, 122 Lyon St. NW, 616-235-6285 or broadwaygrandrapids.com. Order by mail using an order form that can be downloaded at the website. A four-payment plan option is offered.

Tickets to the four special events also are available to subscribers now. The deadline to renew current subscriptions and seating is May 23. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, Aug. 4.

All shows take place in DeVos Performance Hall,303 Monroe Ave. NW. For most regular season shows, performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Details: 616-235-6285, broadwaygrandrapids.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – “Kinky Boots” leads the 2014-15 season that includes a lineup featuring fresh and award-winning content along with family favorites.

"Kinky Boots," the 2013 winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, is making a stop in Grand Rapids as part of its first national tour, a coup for Broadway Grand Rapids.

The story of a struggling shoe factory owner who gets business help from a flamboyant drag queen features a book written by Harvey Fierstein and a score by Cyndi Lauper.

Meghan Distel, director of marketing and public relations for Broadway Grand Rapids, says Grand Rapids' spot on the show's first tour speaks to the credibility and reputation of Grand Rapids as a city that appreciates and supports live theater.

"We are thrilled to have 'Kinky Boots' headlining our season," Distel said. "The fact that Grand Rapids is on its inaugural route is an exciting thing. We couldn't be happier."

The season also includes “Once,” another Best Musical Tony Award winner (2012), and perennial favorites “Annie” and “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” as part of its four-show subscription series. Both "Annie" and "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" were part of BGR's 2006 series.

"The fact that we have two fantastic new Broadway productions ('Once' and 'Kinky Boots') shows the community that we are bringing the best that New York is creating."

"Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" features two former "American Idol" contestants as the leads of the show: Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young.

The new season offers eight shows in nine months: four subscription series shows and four special events.

The four-show subscription series prices are $109-$338. New to this season is an option to spread the total cost of a subscription over four equal payments.

Special events

The number of special event shows has doubled from last year to four with all but one being a debut to Grand Rapids.

"Elf The Musical" brings the well-known Will Ferrell movie to the stage for Thanksgiving weekend, while "I Love Lucy Live" puts the patrons in a television studio audience atmosphere to witness a "taping" of "I Love Lucy."

"The show is like watching two iconic episodes of 'Lucy' including the commercials and live announcer," Broadway Grand Rapids Executive Director Mike Lloyd said. "So it's like getting to witness the taping of some of your favorite shows."

Host Alan Thicke moderates "Dancing Pros Live," which allows audience members to vote electronically for that evening's winners and includes "Dancing with the Stars" dancers Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo, among others.

A return of the popular "Rain: A Beatles Tribute" rounds out the four special events.

A fourth seating zone also has been added: The back of the mezzanine and front of the balcony have been grouped into one seating area; the top of the balcony seats will be offered at a lower price.

Details at broadwaygrandrapids.com.

Todd Chance is the West Michigan Entertainment Concierge for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at tchance@mlive.com or follow him on , , Google Plus