the back story
Interested in learning more about the shows of the 2008/2009 season? Read on...

The musicians in RAIN – THE BEATLES EXPERIENCE bring extraordinary musicianship and remarkable attention to detail in their delivery of perfect note-for-note performances of the full range of the Beatles extensive repertory in this Broadway-style production. The giddy excitement of RAIN audiences is attributed to three distinct features working magically together: the universal appeal of The Beatles’ music; the power of that music when played with uncanny perfection; and the cohesive stagemanship of the band members in RAIN, who have been playing together for more than twice as long as the Beatles did!

“For those who were lucky enough to see The Beatles live, this is a tremendous opportunity to relive that time. For those who haven’t, welcome to RAIN!” Sid Bernstein, legendary impresario who brought the Beatles to America “The next best thing to seeing the Beatles.." The Denver Post

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is the first collaboration between the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be performed on the professional stage. This groundbreaking masterpiece opened on Broadway in October 1971. Ted Neeley headlined the first touring company in 1972 and the motion picture released in 1973. Neeley returns to the role again, in this latest incarnation that began touring in 2006. With more than three decades and 4,000 performances under his belt, his extraordinary performance continues to wow – critic Michael Roberts said it is “one of the most amazing performances ever by an actor” while others have described him as “an absolutely riveting performer” and “like a fine diamond.”

"JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR “resonates as deeply today as it did more than 35 years ago…it is a stunning achievement.” Dwight Casimere, The Times Weekly, Chicago "superstar rockfabulous as ever" The North Coast Journal "one of the most amazing performances ever by an actor" Michael Roberts, describing Ted Neeley

Chazz Palminteri, playwright and star of A BRONX TALE, has over 50 movies to his credit as well as a plethora of New York stage appearances. He first performed A BRONX TALE in Los Angeles (1989); then brought it Off-Broadway where it ran for four months. He went on to co-star in the screen adaptation alongside Robert DeNiro, who also made his directorial debut with the film. This year, Palminteri returned to the work, playing a highly successful limited run on Broadway which closed in February 2008.

“I wanted to write a story about the working man, like my father, who puts his dreams aside so his children could have a better life… The man who gets up every morning to do a job he doesn’t like very much but does it anyway for his family… It’s about reaching one’s potential in life and how the love we get from our parents can shape our lives…” Chazz Palminteri “A rejuvenating act of faith in the powers of acting and storytelling. It has heart, spice and humor." Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

GREASE originated in Chicago in 1971, making its New York premiere Off-Broadway in February 1972. After 128 sold-out performances, the show made the transition to Broadway in June 1972. Its spectacular initial run was 3,388 performances, making it the longest-running show in Broadway history at that time. In 1978, GREASE became a hugely popular feature film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the lead roles. A Broadway revival opened in May 1994 and played for over 1,500 performances. The current Broadway production of GREASE opened in August 2007 to much anticipation – its two leading roles were cast with the entire nation watching on the NBC reality TV series Grease: You’re the One That I Want.MAMMA MIA!, the brain child of creative producer Judy Craymer, is arguably the first major success in the “jukebox musical” genre, creating a dramatic story around the tuneful songs of the internationally heralded Swedish rock group ABBA.

"The new GREASE feels like a freshly minted hit: one part show, and two parts party where everybody is invited." Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News "EXUBERANT AND EFFORTLESSLY ENJOYABLE! THIS 'GREASE' IS THE ONE THAT I WANT!" Richard Zoglin, Time Photo: the Broadway cast, photo by Joan Marcus

MAMMA MIA! premiered in London in 1999, opened in Toronto the following year and in October 2001, made its way to triumphant success on Broadway, where it still plays to packed houses at the Winter Garden Theater. The musical has been performed in 12 languages for 30 million people in productions all over the world. The stage show is said to have grossed more than $2 billion worldwide. A film adaptation of the musical starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan and a host of other Hollywood stars is set to be released in July 2008.

"A GREAT MUSICAL HIT! A genuinely original, comic and touching story allied to some of the greatest and most theatrical pop songs ever written." Sheridan Morley, INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE "QUITE SIMPLY, A PHENOMENON!' Matt Wolf, ASSOCIATED PRESS "

TUNA DOES VEGAS features the eccentric citizens of the fictional town of Tuna, Texas. Created by Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard, the original show, GREATER TUNA began 25 years ago as a simple party skit based on a political cartoon in Austin, Texas. It grew into a hilarious comedy, a critically acclaimed production that has entertained audiences from coast to coast including an engagement at the Kennedy Center, a Command Performance at the White House, a year in an Off-Broadway run and an HBO Special. This delicious satire on life in rural America spawned its first sequel in 1994. A Tuna Christmas took Broadway by storm garnering rave reviews and a Tony® nomination for Sears for Best Actor in a Play. Red White and Tuna, the third installment, finds the citizens of Tuna at the Fourth of July Tuna High School Class Reunion. Now, a decade later, Tuna’s polyester-clad citizens are headed to Vegas! What lies at the heart of the tremendous success of these comedies? These two gifted actors bring an entire town to life – men, women and children – creating both an affectionate look at small town, Southern life and boisterous satire. It’s the kind of warm-hearted humor few can resist.

"Any new chance to see Williams and Sears embody these characters is an occasion for which we're unquestionably the richer, and they deliver several memorable set-pieces with both the old crew and some new characters. And when the two stars show us as dueling Elvises, its jackpot time." The Austin Chronicle "Jaston Williams as Vera Carp has the audience roaring." Talkingbroadway.com