Dish-Houston

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) President and CEO John C. Breckenridge has announced TUTS’ 2013-2014 mainstage season running in Sarofim Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.  The riveting lineup of shows will run the gamut from riotous to ribald, family friendly to funky, and from contemporary to classic – every musical theatre lover with find something to love in the upcoming season.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the line-up for our upcoming season.  There's a little something for everyone with shows ranging from the classics and the family favorites to Broadway's freshest and edgier productions,” says Breckenridge.

September 29 - October 12, 2013

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical

This outrageously fun show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.  An international hit with over 500 dazzling, Tony Award-winning costumes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including "It's Raining Men," Finally," and "I Will Survive."  The Hollywood Reporter calls Priscilla "funny and fabulous!  Joyous entertainment with eye-popping visuals and unexpected heart!"  Priscilla Queen of the Desert runs September 29 – October 12, 2013.

December 6 – 19, 2013

Elf – The Musical

One of the most beloved Hollywood holiday hits of the past decade is born again – live on stage!  Elf - The Musical 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.  The New York Times says that Elf is, “splashy, peppy, sugar-sprinkled holiday entertainment!”  USA Today calls Elf, “endearingly goofy!”  Variety proclaims, “Elf is happy enough for families, savvy enough for city kids and plenty smart for adults!”  The polished score includes the hit tunes “A Christmas Song” and the satirical “Nobody Cares About Santa”.  After spending two huge seasons on Broadway, Elf - The Musical will delight the whole family during its Houston premiere December 6 – 19, 2013.

January 22 - February 2, 2014 

We Will Rock You

From London's West End, the worldwide smash hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton comes to Houston for a limited engagement!  We Will Rock You features the greatest hits of the legendary British rock group, Queen. Now in its 11th year in London and seen by a staggering 15 million people worldwide, this hilarious, multi-award-winning and record-breaking phenomenon boasts a fantastic score of killer Queen tunes that you just can’t resist singing along to, such as “Another One Bites The Dust,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “We Are The Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and, of course, “We Will Rock You.” It’s the world champion of musicals and the show that rocks harder than any other, so don’t miss the party!  We Will Rock You runs January 22 - February 2, 2014.

March 4 – 16, 2014

The Wizard of Oz

"We're off to see"…the most magical adventure of them all.  Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic totally reconceived for the stage.  Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto as they journey though the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts' desires.  Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.  The Wizard of Oz runs March 4 - 16, 2014.

May 6 – 18, 2014

Evita

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award-winning musical returns at last!  Eva Peron used her beauty and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady.  Adored by her people as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world -- while her greed, outsized ambition and fragile health made her one of the most tragic.  Evita tells Eva's passionate and unforgettable true story and features some of theatre's most beautiful songs, including 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," and "High Flying, Adored."  Don't miss the stunning new production of Evita, running May 6 - 18, 2014.

June 13 – 26, 2014

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid takes place in a magical kingdom fathoms beneath the sea, where the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. First, though, she'll have to convince her crabby sidekick Sebastian to help her defy her father King Triton and leave the underwater palace.  The plot thickens when Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula that forces her to convince handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.  Family members will remember the catchy hit “Part of Your World” and the Academy Award-winning song “Under The Sea”. The Wall Street Journal claims The Little Mermaid is "a musical that does justice to the lovely film from which it sprang," and Time Magazine calls it "one of the most ravishing things I have seen on a Broadway stage."  Based on the Disney animated film and two-time Tony Award nominated Broadway musical, make the Houston debut of The Little Mermaid a part of your world June 13 – 26, 2014.  Dive in – life is the bubbles under the sea!

New and renewing subscriptions to the Theatre Under The Stars 2013-2014 season are available online at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS, outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office (800 Bagby at Walker).  For a full season brochure, call Theatre Under The Stars at (713) 558-2600.  Discounted group subscriptions of 15 or more are also available by calling (713) 558-8888.  

In addition to a phenomenal season schedule, TUTS continues to provide new and exciting theatre experiences. With each show come a number of associated events and opportunities:

• Exclusive VIP events including intimate cast talk-backs, exclusive events with show partners, backstage tours, and more!

• OUT@TUTS, the GLBT-friendly group which hosts a cabaret-style evening in Artista restaurant the first Thursday of each show. Visit TUTS.com/OUT for more information.
  

Throughout the season, special event information will be available at TUTS.com/Events.

Theatre Under The Stars’ 2013-14 season is generously sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System. For all of Theatre Under The Stars’ 2013-2014 shows, air transportation is provided by United Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors include ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle.  Season support is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Theater District Association and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed nonprofit musical theatre company whose mission is to enrich life through the experience of quality musical theatre and to positively impact lives beyond the stage through innovative education & community engagement programs.  Currently TUTS engages more than 200,000 people annually through productions at Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center and at Miller Outdoor Theatre.  TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public when it was founded in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the theatre opened.  Founded by Frank M. Young and currently under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge and Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres such as Kopit and Yeston’s Phantom, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll & Hyde, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas as well as critically acclaimed re-inventions of classics Cabaret and Les Miserables.  Through its membership in the Independent Presenters Network, TUTS has helped bring Bombay Dreams, 9 to 5, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Ragtime, Curtains and The Color Purple to Broadway and ultimately back to Houston audiences.

In support of TUTS’ mission, TUTS’ Education & Community Engagement programs provide instruction and stage experience for more than 48,000 Houstonians annually.  TheHumphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) offers technique-driven classes for all ability levels and ages, ranging from four to adult.  Through The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (The River), TUTS provides an accessible and inclusive arts education for individuals of all abilities that will enhance their development into confident, balanced individuals.  TUTS Education & Community Engagement provides extended on-site programming as well as off-site programming for children in schools, hospitals and other community-based sites.  TUTS’ community partnerships include collaborations with the Houston Independent School District and Region IV school districts, the YMCA of Greater Houston, M.D. Anderson Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital and Shriner’s Hospital – Houston, among several other Houston-area organizations.  TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston's high school musical theatre programs.

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