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Broadway coming to Cobb
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Broadway is coming to Cobb.
In a turning point for Atlanta theater, the historic Fox Theatre will no longer dominate the city’s Broadway market. Starting this fall, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre will inaugurate a four-show Broadway series that will include the Tony Award-winning blockbusters “Hairspray” and “Spamalot.”
At a Wednesday morning press conference, the Atlanta Broadway Series officially became the third resident organization of the $145 million Cobb venue, which opened last fall and is the home of the Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Opera.
Atlanta Broadway Series will be helmed by Stephanie Parker, who also runs the Broadway Across America-Atlanta season at the Fox. Both Broadway Across America-Atlanta and Atlanta Broadway are backed by New York-based entertainment giant Key Brand Theatrical Group.
Parker say it’s a “natural progression” for Broadway tours to have a second Atlanta home. “It gives people farther out the opportunity to experience more Broadway.”
“It was always our mission that Broadway would be performing in this house,” Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens said Wednesday.
Also on the Atlanta Broadway Series are “Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy” and “Wicked.” However, “Wicked” is part of Broadway Across America-Atlanta’s previously announced 2008-2009 season at the Fox. Cobb subscribers will be able to include “Wicked” as part of their season package. A concert by pop singer Natalie Cole is being offered as a series extra.
“Booking a Broadway series has always been a priority,” said Michael Taormina, managing director of the Cobb venue. “Being able to announce it in the first year is truly gratifying.”
The complete Cobb season:
Natalie Cole. The pop singer will be promoting her fall release, “Still Unforgettable.” Oct. 19.
“Wicked.” The “Wizard of Oz” backstory is one of Broadway’s most popular musicals. Fox Theatre. Oct. 28-Nov 2.
“Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy.” The New Age circus, which is not affiliated with Cirque du Soleil, opens on Broadway next week. Dec. 30-Jan. 4.
“Hairspray.” Based on the John Waters film, the show won eight Tony Awards, including the prize for best new musical, in 2003. Jan. 13-18.
“Spamalot.” The Monty Python howler won the best musical Tony of 2005. March 17-22.
Tickets: 1-877-451-7469, cobbenergycentre.com. Single tickets are not yet available but generally go on sale six to eight weeks before the show.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Theater
Comments
By MrHughes
June 18, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
As a broadway in Atlanta season ticket holder I find this to be a joke. This is all about money. The sad thing is that if these people are willing to drive to the Fox for Wicked, then why wouldn’t they be willing to drive for the other shows? Natalie Cole looks good. Cirque Dreams was at the Fox a couple years ago. It sucks… I’m not a Spamalot fan… Again, at the Fox a few years ago. Hairspray, don’t care to see it. So, basically we have a bunch of shows that are repeats of shows from previous seasons (within the last 3 years) with the expection of Wicked, which is the only one worth actually seeing again. Too bad they didn’t try to expose everyone to Broadway by bringing something a little less safe for the people out in the burbs. I guess the one positive is that no one will get run over jaywalking across Peachtree like idiots at Cobb Energy… Geez
By George McCall
June 19, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Mr Hughes (the previous blogger and a colossal bore) is obviously an uninitiated sideline observer of theater.
Popular theater productions run on Broadway (and elsewhere) for DECADES. Production tours do the same.
Shakespeare’s performances would have died out centuries ago if productions had an expiration date.
Millions of people have never seen the productions, or maybe they like to see the same theater production, opera, or movie more than once.
New generations of theater goers are born daily. Maybe they weren’t old enough to attend Spamalot back in the old days when Hughes first saw the performance
Fortunately, many people enjoy repeats and reruns. They will reread books, watch the same movies repeatedly, and keep TV networks like Nickelodeon’s Nick TV, running strong.
Mr. Hughes, wake up - isn’t about you. No matter what your mother says, the world does not revolve around you.