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<\/a>There was no birthday cake, just a lot of visual and aural frosting designed to entice onlookers to subscribe to what the organization describes as, \u201cone of their biggest and most chart-topping seasons yet!\u201d<\/p>\n
One wonders by whose chart; it looks pretty much like more of the same thing they\u2019ve been doing for the past 20 years at least.<\/p>\n
We are, nonetheless, lucky to have the series here, presenting the latest Broadway tours under the auspices of A Nederlander Corp., whose Broadway San Diego Vice President Joe Kobryner, stated in a news release that he is thrilled with the 40th anniversary 2016\u201317 season, consisting of six touring shows, four additional events, and four shows remaining in the 2015-16 season.<\/p>\n
Most of the shows are presented at the San Diego Civic Theatre, located at 1200 Third Ave., Downtown.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have everything from the classics that have thrilled audiences for years and are now reimagined to some of the biggest titles coming straight from Broadway,\u201d Kobryner stated in the release.<\/p>\n An example of this would be \u201cIf\/Then,\u201d starring Idina Menzel, which played Jan. 5\u201310.<\/p>\n The filmed portions of the celebration consisted of clips from the upcoming shows and commercials for the season\u2019s sponsor, San Diego County Credit Union (replete with the \u201cmoney, money\u201d TV ad that shows how much those other guys can ding you).<\/p>\n There were also filmed testimonials from satisfied BSD attendees who enjoy the benefits of membership in the President\u2019s Club.<\/p>\n The promotional film also included an informative segment about the Ben Vereen Awards (the third annual local talent competition takes place at the Balboa Theatre May 29, with Vereen in attendance). The competition emphasizes the abundance of San Diego\u2019s high school talent. The winners move on to compete in additional cities, including New York.<\/p>\n Though we expect to see portions of the film in the form of TV commercials this year, the live talent displayed Friday night at the Balboa was the best part of the celebration.<\/p>\n Tshidi Manye, who came direct from the Broadway \u201cThe Lion King\u201d cast, sang \u201cCircle of Life.\u201d \u201cThe Lion King\u201d returns to San Diego for the third time, Sept. 7\u2013Oct. 2, (the first time in seven years).<\/p>\n Danielle Dalli from the touring company of \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d (directed by former Old Globe Artistic Director Jack O\u2019Brien) closed the evening with the title song from that show plus the inspirational number, \u201cClimb Every Mountain,\u201d at which point hordes of kids from The J* Company trooped down the Balboa Theatre aisles to contribute live support to the emotional climax. \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d plays Nov. 15\u201320.<\/p>\n So, what else is new and old?<\/strong><\/p>\n Newer shows I\u2019m most looking forward for the upcoming 2016\u201317 season are \u201cCabaret\u201d (Aug. 23\u201328), which kicks off the new season; Time Magazine\u2019s show of the year, \u201cMatilda the Musical\u201d (Jan. 31\u2013Feb. 5, 2017); \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d (April 4\u20139, 2017), and \u201cThe Bodyguard\u201d (June 13\u201318, 2017).<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bodyguard,\u201d which has been touring Great Britain, debuted in London\u2019s West End, where it played for two years and then went on tour in Great Britain. It is a remake of the film that starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner and features such Houston songs as \u201cI Will Always Love You\u201d and \u201cSaving All My Love (For You).\u201d<\/p>\n I also look forward to seeing the Broadway tour of John Cameron Mitchell\u2019s \u00fcber-rock musical, \u201cHedwig and the Angry Inch\u201d (Nov. 29\u2013Dec. 4), which fails in its description to tell exactly what that inch might be, only stating that the musical may be inappropriate for those 12 and under due to strong language and adult themes.<\/p>\n In addition to shows mentioned above, Broadway San Diego has added engagements of two San Diego-connected Broadway hits, \u201cRent\u201d (Jan. 10\u201315, 2017) and \u201cJersey Boys\u201d (May 9\u201314, 2017).<\/p>\n Other shows remaining in the current 2015\u20132016 season are \u201cThe Realish Housewives of San Diego\u201d (Feb. 2\u20137, at the Balboa Theatre); \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d (Feb. 23\u2013March 6); \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d (March 15\u201320); \u201cRain: A Tribute to the Beatles\u201d (March 29\u2013April 3, Balboa Theatre); Disney\u2019s \u201cNewsies\u201d (May 31\u2013June 5) and \u201cBeautiful: The Carole King Musical\u201d (Aug. 2\u20137).<\/p>\n That\u2019s a lot to digest and a lot to anticipate. Readers may find additional information regarding shows and dates at broadwaysd.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>