WABASH – The touring Broadway productions of “Mamma Mia,” “West Side Story” and “Memphis, the Musical,” as well as concerts by iconic entertainers The Osmonds and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, are among the shows being offered during the 2013-14 season of the Wabash Valley Music Association Series, presented by Wellbrooke of Wabash.
Additional shows for the upcoming season, the WVMA’s 58th year, are the Wabash Area Community Theater’s production of “Peter Pan,” and a performance of “Shakespeare In Love: Romeo & Juliet” by the renowned Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
“Year after year, the WVMA Series brings the finest caliber of entertainment to the Honeywell Center, a tradition of outstanding performances that is now in its 58th year,” says Doug Lehman, WVMA chairman. “Although I proudly serve in a leadership role with the WVMA, I come first as a fan. And this fan is excited for the 2013-14 season to begin.”
The first show in the 7-show series takes the audience on a trip to Never Neverland with Peter, Wendy, John, Michael, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys in the classic production of “Peter Pan,” presented Sept. 27 by the Wabash Area Community Theater at the Honeywell Center’s Ford Theater.
“Memphis, The Musical,” winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, will be at the Honeywell Center Nov. 7. Inspired by actual events from the underground Memphis dance clubs of the 1950s, “Memphis, The Musical,” weaves together the story of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a timeless tale of fame and forbidden love. The Tony-winning original score features music by Bon Jovi’s founding member David Bryan and a story from the Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro titled “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”
More than 45 million people worldwide have fallen in love with the smash hit musical, “Mamma Mia,” which comes to the Honeywell Center Nov. 27. The production combines the classic music of ABBA, including smash hits “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance On Me” and “S.O.S.,” with a fun tale of a daughter seeking to discover the identity of her father, a quest that brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years earlier. With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, “Mamma Mia” boasts as being the world’s No. 1 show.
The venerable Broadway musical “West Side Story” brings the greatest love story of all time to the Honeywell Center Jan. 2, 2014. Fifty years after its Broadway debut, “West Side Story” remains the genre’s best dance-driven musical with extraordinary choreography to American musical theater classics, including “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere” by legendary composers Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The revival, based on Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction, remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever.
British conductor Michael Francis joins the renowned Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on March 30 for “Shakespeare In Love: Romeo & Juliet,” showcasing three composers, all inspired by the Bard’s infamous story of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. The evening’s music will include performances from Delius’ “The Walk To The Paradise Garden,” Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances From “West Side Story” and excerpts from “Romeo and Juliet” by Prokofiev.
An evening of sibling harmonies featuring the iconic brothers The Osmonds comes to the Honeywell Center April 25. Jimmy, Jay and Merrill Osmond, three members of the Osmond family entertainment empire that has been performing throughout the world for more than 50 years, bring their music to the stage, including top hits “One Bad Apple, “Down By The Lazy River,” “Crazy Horses” and “Love Me For A Reason.” The brothers’ variety-style show has been entertaining audiences of all ages for decades.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a nine-piece ensemble highlighting high-energy swing, big band songs from the ’40s and ’50s, will be at the Honeywell Center May 17. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, celebrating 20 years since securing a legendary residence at the Derby nightclub in Los Angeles, has enjoyed a career with numerous milestones, including appearing in the Super Bowl Half-Time Show, writing theme music for ESPN and network television, performing for three U.S. presidents and appearing numerous times on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” The group is touring to promote its current CD, Rattle Them Bones.
Tickets for the 2013-14 WVMA series may be purchased at the box office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting www.honeywellcenter.org.
Series subscriptions, beginning at $75 for adults, $37.50 for students through high school, are available at a savings of up to 55 percent over individual ticket prices. Season subscribers also enjoy additional benefits, including invitations to pre-show social receptions.