‘Something for every type’
Popejoy’s 2017-2018 season includes Broadway plays, music, comedy, dance
Fifty-two seasons in and Popejoy Hall continues to up the ante.
The 2017-2018 performing arts season is chock-full of classics and fan favorites.
“We’re excited to have some of the most splendid Broadway shows coming to Popejoy for our 52nd season,” says Tom Tkach, director of Popejoy Hall. “The Broadway shows coming this next season have won 52 Tony Awards between them. The Ovation Series shows in the coming season are among the most creative, most exciting shows out on tour. We’re delighted to present all 26 shows this coming season.”
Coming to the Duke City as part of the Haverland Carter Broadway in New Mexico Series features a lineup of Broadway hits, including Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon “Les Misérables”; Tony Award for best musical revival, “The King and I”; the classic fairy tale on stage, “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella”; Broadway favorite “A Chorus Line”; and hilarious newcomer “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.”
Broadway shows playing next year as Broadway in New Mexico Extras include Broadway hits returning by popular demand, “The Book of Mormon” and “Wicked.”
Tkach says the crew at Popejoy Hall spends a lot of time researching productions to bring to New Mexico.
He says the entire audience base of more than 65,000 is surveyed each season.
“Our audience helps us choose the shows that we pursue,” he says. “It’s proven very popular, and we really program for Albuquerque.”
Tkach says there are a many variables that have to fall into place before productions are brought to Popejoy.
“We’re the only venue in the state that can accommodate bigger shows,” he says. “The first part of it is that the show has to be accessible to us. We need to make sure that the houses will be robust. We’re always trying to bring in productions that will connect to the audiences.”
Tkach is looking forward to “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” as well as “Les Misérables.”
“‘Gentlemen’s Guide to Love & Murder’ is fresh and new,” Tkach says. “‘Le Mis’ is one of my all-time favorites. And we have something new with ‘Cinderella.’ There’s something for every type.”
In addition to the Haverland Carter Broadway in New Mexico Series, Popejoy will also feature 17 other events that include comedy, music, dance and theater.
The season includes a returning favorite, David Sedaris, renowned dance troupe Pilobolus, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas to name a few.
Terry Davis, marketing manager for Popejoy Hall, says the number of events is slightly higher than last year.
Davis says planning the season takes about a year.
“We’re already working on the next season,” he says. “Somehow, we’re always putting together the best season we can. It helps that there is always something new and fresh. We try to get them to Albuquerque as soon as we can.”
The 2017-2018 Popejoy Presents season begins Oct. 27 with “iLuminate,” an electrified contemporary dance performance, and closes in October 2018 with 16 performances of the Broadway sensation “Wicked.”
Broadway subscription packages start at $179.75. For more information, please visit popejoypresents.com. Only season ticket packages are being sold at this time.