New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Jackson INK) - Broadway in Hawaii announced it will bring the national touring productions of two award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musicals to Honolulu's Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall this year. Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" Musical will open at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on
September 21, 2010 and is sure to be one of this year's biggest family events in Honolulu! Andrew
Lloyd Webber's "CATS" musical will arrive in Honolulu on December 28, 2010 and will be one of the hottest tickets in town for New Year's Eve.
"The extraordinary success of our 13 week run of 'The Lion King' really put Honolulu on the theatrical map," said Blaisdell Concert Hall GM John Fuhrman at a press conference held this morning. "We couldn't be more pleased to follow up with the Hawaiian debut of 'Beauty and the Beast' and the long awaited return of 'CATS.'" "Beauty and the Beast" will come to life on stage at the Blaisdell from September 21 to October 3. "CATS" - a true Broadway classic - will be presented for one-week only from December 28 to January 2. Both shows are the national touring companies playing major cities across North America. The "Beauty and the Beast" tour reunites the original creative team from the original Broadway production.
"Given the demand we've seen for top-quality family shows like these we expect tickets to go fast," said Fuhrman, "especially as there are two big incentives to buy tickets now. First, the opening night of both shows are priced 30-40% below prime weekend performances. Second, both shows have two performances with a 50% discount for kids. We usually see our Honolulu ticket buyers wait until the last minute but I don't think that will be the case this time, at least until these performances are sold out."
At the press conference, Blaisdell officials announced an exciting new venture with NewSpace Entertainment, the independent presenter of live theater and concerts behind Broadway in Hawaii, who will bring these Broadway productions to Honolulu.
NewSpace, based in Salt Lake City, presented nearly 200 events in 50 North American cities this season. "We've been presenting shows like Stomp, Cirque Dreams, Bill Cosby, Jim Brickman, Grease, and Cats to Honolulu for nearly a decade," said NewSpace COO Steve Boulay. "We are thrilled to bring these shows to the Blaisdell in 2010."
Boulay explained that Broadway in Hawaii is committed to extending that investment in Honolulu. "There are quite a few important shows which have yet to make their Honolulu debut and we hope to be able to have some exciting announcements in the near future. Today we are pleased to announce the formation of the Broadway in Hawaii Education Fund that gives much-needed financial support to arts programs in local schools, as well as programs offered through non-profit organizations. $.50 from every ticket purchased will support The Broadway in Hawaii Education Fund that will, in turn, support the following programs:
Friends of Kennedy Theatre Endowment Scholarship Fund to fund scholarships to the University of Manoa Theatre and Dance program, Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center, Performing Arts Center of Kapolei (PACK) via Kapolei High School, Castle Performing Arts Learning Center, Alliance for Drama Education and Honolulu Theatre for Youth."
About the NETworks musical production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" "Beauty and the Beast" is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. "Beauty and the Beast" has become an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 21 countries.
"Beauty and the Beast" opens in Honolulu on Tuesday, September 21 and runs for just 16 performances closing Sunday, October 3. "Beauty and the Beast" Honolulu tickets for most performances range from $67-$37. Opening night tickets are $49, $39 and $29. Kids save 50% on opening night and on Sunday, September 26 at 1pm. Seniors save 10% on opening night and Wednesday, September 22. Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 12 at Ticketmaster.com, the Blaisdell Concert Hall Box Office, all WalMart outlets, Sports Gear at Windward Mall, and by calling 800-745-3000.
About Andrew Lloyd Webber's "CATS" Musical There's no better way to introduce your family to the wonders of live theatre than with the magic, the mystery, and the memory of "CATS." What began as a musical about cats after Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop has become one of the longest running shows in Broadway's history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, "CATS" features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song, "Memory."
"CATS" musical in Honolulu opens at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Tuesday, December 28 and runs for just 8 performances, closing Sunday, January 2. Tickets for most performances range from $70-$35. Opening night "CATS" musical tickets are $55, $45 and $30. Kids save 50% on opening night and on Sunday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m. "CATS" musical Honolulu tickets go on sale Saturday, June 12 at Ticketmaster.com, the Blaisdell Concert Hall Box Office, all WalMart outlets, Sports Gear at Windward Mall, and by calling 800-745-3000.
Patrons may also save 10% on any performance when purchasing full priced tickets to both shows at the Blaisdell box office.
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