Broadway in Birmingham announces ‘Waitress,’ ‘Les Mis,’ ‘Once on This Island,’ more for 2019-20 season

"Les Miserables"

A revival of "Les Miserables" will be part of the 2019-2020 Broadway in Birmingham series, presented by the American Theatre Guild.

An island romance with magical overtones. A plucky waitress in distress. And that classic tale about a guy who stole a couple of candlesticks.

All of these are on the agenda for the next Broadway in Birmingham series. Four shows were announced today by the American Theatre Guild for its 2019-2020 season at the BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North.

Here’s the agenda:

“Once On This Island,” Dec. 13-15, 2019.

Winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, “Once on This Island” tells the story of a peasant girl who’s befriended by four gods who oversee a tropical island. With their help, she manages to bring together people of different social classes, using the power of love as a unifier.

The original Broadway production of “Once on This Island” ran from 1980 to 1981, with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. The show was revived in 2017 at Circle in the Square Theatre. (Note: The award-winning Broadway version of this show had a Birmingham connection. Keith Cromwell, executive director of Red Mountain Theatre Company, and patrons Raymond and Kathryn Harbert were among the producers).

“Les Miserables,” Jan. 7-12, 2020.

This time-honored musical tells the tale of Jean Valjean, a peasant who runs afoul of the strict inspector Javert after being released from prison. His initial crime: stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving niece. After another theft inspired by poverty -- he nabs some silverware from an understanding bishop -- Valjean vows to reform and starts a new life under another name. But he’s relentless pursued by Javert, who vows to bring him back into custody. Along the way, Valjean becomes swept up in the French Revolution.

“Les Miserables,” based on a novel by Victor Hugo, premiered on Broadway in 1987, and ran for 16 years. It’s a musical theater staple that has seen revivals, national tours and concert performances. The show features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel. An English-language libretto was written by Herbert Kretzmer.

“Waitress,” March 20-22, 2020.

This show boasts music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson. It tells the story of an embattled waitress who copes with life’s problems by making expertly crafted pies. She becomes pregnant, falls for her doctor, finds her courage tested and vows to make life sweeter for her child. What’s her recipe for happiness? A baking contest may offer the waitress a fresh start.

“Waitress” is based on a 2007 movie with the same title, starring Keri Russell. Bareilles and Katharine McPhee have played the main role on Broadway, along with Jessie Mueller, Betsy Wolfe and Nicolette Robinson.

“Bandstand,” April 24-26, 2020.

This musical tells of a group of World War II veterans who form a band to help them cope with civilian life. Their hopes and dreams are on the line as they compete in a radio contest that promises to give them stardom, but tests their mettle as human beings.

“Bandstand” had a five-month run on Broadway in 2017 and won a Tony Award for Best Choreography. The show features music by Richard Oberacker and a book and lyrics by Oberacker and Robert Taylor.

Another show has yet to be announced for the Broadway in Birmingham series. It will be offered as an add-on or swap-a-show for season ticketholders, according to the Theatre Guild

Season tickets for Broadway in Birmingham, which include the four shows mentioned here, start at $155. For more info, call 800-776-7469 or visit the Theatre Guild website.

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