‘Chicago,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ coming to Memorial
Five award-winning Broadway shows with a slew of accolades and awards, including “Chicago,” “My Fair Lady” and “Dear Evan Hansen,” will be featured in 2022-23 as part of the Broadway Series at Memorial Auditorium.
Rounding out the lineup are “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations.”
In addition to the 2022-23 Broadway season titles, “Fiddler on the Roof” will be featured as an add-on show. That title will not be included in the 2022-23 subscription season but will go on sale individually at a later, undetermined date. Subscribers will have first access to tickets.
The series is presented by The Tivoli Foundation, the nonprofit organization contracted by the city to oversee running and fundraising for The Tivoli, Memorial Auditorium and the Walker Theatre. Typically presented in the Tivoli Theatre, the Broadway series was moved to Memorial last season to allow for renovation work, which is set to start at the end of the summer in the smaller city-owned venue and the adjoining Tivoli Center.
According to foundation Executive Director Nick Wilkinson, the move was also designed to let people experience the renovation work, including larger concession areas and updated bathrooms, that has been done at Memorial. He said the plan is to, hopefully, attract some of the bigger shows such as “The Lion King” and “Wicked” to Memorial in the future to complement the Broadway Series at the Tivoli. Work there is expected to last about 18 months, he said.
“I think we’ve been really pleased with how Broadway has made that transition [at Memorial],” he said in a telephone interview.
“It helps that we’ve made significant upgrades to that facility so that we can host not just Broadway but other shows, as well. It’s a wonderful space that I think for the first time in a long time the community sees as a very viable space to see any type of performing arts.”
He said in a news release that the 2022-23 series again offers a diverse schedule for fans.
“We immensely look forward to welcoming the community back to the Memorial Auditorium for this outstanding season of Broadway performances,” he said.
“This exciting lineup features old classics and new hits, with something to love for every Broadway fan. The Tivoli Theatre Foundation is extremely proud to be able to bring you the best of touring Broadway right here in Chattanooga.”
Subscriptions for the 20222023 season go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Subscribers can choose between three packages, which will guarantee seats to all five titles in the upcoming season. Additional subscription benefits include first notification of next year’s season, free same-show ticket exchanges and the opportunity to purchase additional tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
Once packages go on sale, patrons may purchase online or by calling the Tivoli Theatre box office at 423-757-5580.
Regular patrons can also choose to be a Friend of the Tivoli, a membership program that gives loyal supporters the opportunity to get access to exclusive members-only recognition and events, ticket presale opportunities, film series discounts, VIP parking and access to the new 1921 Society bar and lounge.
The 2022-23 series kicks off Oct. 4-9 with “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations.” Nominated for 12 Tony Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, the musical follows the Motown group’s extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
It features some of the group’s hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”
It will be followed by “My Fair Lady” on Feb. 3-4. Lerner & Loewe’s classic features Director Bartlett Sher’s production in what the New York Times said is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was.”
The story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady,” features such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live.”
“Chicago,” follows on Feb. 28-March 2. A quarter of a century later, “Chicago” is renowned as a classic with everything one expects from a Broadway musical production including a tale of fame, fortune and one show-stopping song after another. And, there is plenty dancing, as well
“Chicago” has earned six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations.
Celebrating it 50th anniversary, “Jesus Christ Superstar” returns to Chattanooga on April. 7-8. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and led by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader (“Crazy for You,” “Into the Woods”) and cutting-edge choreographer Drew McOnie” (“King Kong,” “Strictly Ballroom”) this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and a earned glowing reviews and accolades.
It features lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber and includes such rock-infused songs as “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane” and “Superstar.”
The series wraps with “Dear Evan Hansen” on May 23-28. The 2023 winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, it is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. The Washington Post called it “theatrical magic. One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history.”