U OF I Assembly Hall Announces 2010-2011 WCIA 3 Broadway Series

Champaign - The Assembly Hall has announced the 2010-2011 WCIA 3 Broadway Series which includes five national touring musical productions, some of which will be making their first appearance in Champaign. This year’s series features the Broadway smash hit musical, MAMMA MIA, based on the songs of ABBA. MAMMA MIA will appear March 13 at 3 p.m. In addition, the series includes Tony award winner, SPRING AWAKENING, the longest-running American musical ever in A CHORUS LINE, a new production of the classic musical GREASE, and the new smash Broadway production, LEGALLY BLONDE. 

SPRING AWAKENING

Sunday, Oct. 17- 7:30 PM

The winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical – told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater through “The most gorgeous Broadway score this decade” (Entertainment Weekly) – SPRING AWAKENING explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion you will never forget. 

The landmark musical SPRING AWAKENING is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years. 

Join this group of late 19th century German students on their passage, as they navigate teenage self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the daring, remarkable SPRING AWAKENING.

A CHORUS LINE

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010- 7:30 PM

In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed — to have the chance to dance. This is A CHORUS LINE, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards®, including “Best Musical” and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. Now A CHORUS LINE returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best.

GREASE

Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010- 7:30 PM

The one that you want is back! GREASE, Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,” is rockin’ across the country in this new production direct from Broadway. Now starring Laverne & Shirley’s Eddie Mekka (Carmine “the big ragu” Ragusa) as DJ Vince Fontaine.

Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. “Bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together” as well as additional songs from the hit movie: “Grease,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want.” 

So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that’ll make you want to stand up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!” GREASE!

MAMMA MIA

Sunday, March 13, 2011- 3 PM
Over 42 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the char­acters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! With more productions playing inter­nationally than any other musical, MAMMA MIA! is the World’s No.1 Show!

LEGALLY BLONDE

Sunday, May 1, 2011- 7:30 PM

It’s here, and it’s “AN ELLE OF A SHOW” (TIME Magazine). The hilarious MGM film is Broadway’s new smash hit musical, and now LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is coming to you. LEGALLY BLONDE follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. After turning Broadway and MTV hot pink, this “Feel-Good Song and Dance Jugger­naut” (New York Magazine) is “The Best New Musical Around!” (WOR).

As an added benefit, series subscribers will have an advance chance to purchase tickets to the following production before it goes on sale to the general public. Only WCIA 3 Broadway Series subscribers can order tickets to these shows prior to the public onsale.

AVENUE Q

Friday. April 15, 2011- 7:30 PM

AVENUE Q is Broadway’s smash-hit 2004 Tony Award® winner for BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE and BEST BOOK. A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, AVENUE Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account.  Called “one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see” by Entertainment Weekly, AVENUE Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risque and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it “SUBVERSIVE and UPROARIOUS!”

Series Subscriptions

Current WCIA 3 Broadway Series subscribers have until Wed., July 21 at 2 p.m. to renew their same seats. We will begin accepting new subscription orders Mon., July 26. Series subscriptions are available through the date of the first show. Tickets for the individual shows in the WCIA 3 Broadway Series will go on sale Friday, August 27 at 10 a.m.

Benefits of becoming a WCIA 3 Broadway Series subscriber include the same seats for every future Broadway Series as long as the subscriber remains a continuing subscriber, free parking permit for all Series events, advance notification of and/or first chance to buy tickets to related special added attractions throughout the year when possible, and free ticket replacement in the event tickets are lost or stolen.

A series subscription for the WCIA 3 Broadway Series ranges from $194 to $252. Orders are also subject to additional order and ticket fees. University of Illinois students will receive a $50 discount on the series. The Assembly Hall offers three convenient ways to order tickets:

1.      Phone (217) 333-5000. Special summer hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular hours, which are expected to begin in late August, will be Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

2.      In person at the Assembly Hall Box Office(see above for special summer hours)

3.      Print off and complete the online order form at uofiassemblyhall.com by clicking on the WCIA 3 Broadway Series logo and then mail form to: Assembly Hall Box Office, WCIA 3 Broadway Series, 1800 S. First Street, Room 101, Champaign, Ill. 61820. (If you need an order form mailed to you, call the Box Office at 217-333-5000)

For more information, visit www.uofiassemblyhall.com or contact the Assembly Hall Box Office at 217-333-5000 for a brochure.