Buffalo's legendary Shea's Performing Arts Center has announced its lineup for its 2009-2010 Broadway series. Working in affiliation with partner and producer Albert Nocciolino and M&T Bank, eight world-renowned shows will be gracing Buffalo's resident stage this year.
Shea's has been working with Nocciolino for over 22 years to get the best selection of musicals, dramas and choreography to the Western New York region. With the home of Broadway back in New York City, many beloved patrons are unable to see their favorite shows due to distance and ticket expense.
With Shea's partnership and the positive feedback from the community, viewing Broadway hits has become an easy and accessible pleasure, and this year's lineup may prove to be their best yet.
Kicking off the series at Shea's is six-time Tony Award winner Chicago. Jiving its way through its weeklong engagement, Chicago and all that jazz can be seen from Sept. 22 until Sept. 27.
Continuing on the bill will be the famed Fiddler on the Roof farewell tour. Returning to Shea's once again due to its incredible success, this musical tale of a father's desire to keep family traditions while his daughters fight to break away from their religious norms will run from Nov. 17 through Nov. 22.
Ending the year and bringing the spirit of Christmas to the stage, Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a wild aerial journey filled with acrobats, musicians and dancers transforming themselves as they bring ornaments and holiday figurines to life. Far from your average Christmas show, this fantastical spectacle is sure to appease the artistic crowd with its creative holiday rendition. Cirque Dreams Holidaze can be seen Dec. 15 to Dec. 20.
As 2010 gets underway, Shea's is bringing in one of the most critically acclaimed shows and 2008 Tony Award winner for Best Musical In The Heights to its stage.
This hip-hop and salsa-scored hit explores the lives of a group of young characters over a three-day period in the Dominican neighborhood of New York City, Washington Heights.
The show is concerned with exploring and finding that no matter how hard times may get, dreams are never to be given up on. In The Heights will have a short run between Jan. 26 and Jan. 31.
Everyone's favorite gangs, the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies, will hop and bop their way to Shea's with Grease. Good ole Danny, Sandy and the rest of the gang are back together. They'll be singing their way through each other's hearts and have the audience singing along with them as Grease makes a lightning run from March 23 through March 28.
Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, tells the tale of the impressive career of rock and roll troupe Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and their groundbreaking work into becoming part of pop music history. The show will run from April 21 though May 9.
Rounding out the season with the last two performances are The Nutcracker and Riverdance farewell engagements. The Buffalo Philharmonic and Negila Ballet Artists team up to perform this classic ballet. The Buffalo Philharmonic will complement the dancers' every move, flawlessly directed by Sergio Negila, as they effortlessly glide throughout stage on Nov. 27 and 28.
Riverdance will perform five farewell shows between March 5 and March 7, celebrating the historic music and dance of Ireland.
It's clear from the array of musical choices that Shea's Broadway selection will not disappoint. With a little something that suits everyone's musical fancy, season packages can be ordered now for around $174. Individual tickets can be purchased 10 days prior to the shows' starting dates.
Tickets are sure to sell out quick, so grab them while you can and don't miss out on these once-in-Buffalo experiences.
