Civic Center Season in Iowa

[musicallover2008]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 8:52am

Is it me or does Iowa have a week season this year?


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


“CAMELOT” - STARRING LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS TO OPEN THE CIVIC CENTER’s 2007-2008 BETTS BROADWAY SERIES
Special presentations and events will rock and dance their way to the Civic Center’s main stage with the return of four popular favorites and three brand new productions

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines today announced the fifth show which rounds out the 2007-2008 Betts Broadway Series - along with seven special presentations. A magnificent new production of Lerner and Lowe’s timeless masterpiece CAMELOT, starring Tony Award®-nominated actor Lou Diamond Phillips, will open the popular Broadway series in October.


The complete line-up for the five-show Betts Broadway Series Season Ticket package will be:

CAMELOT starring Lou Diamond Phillips, October 23 - 28, 2007


AVENUE Q, (Iowa premiere; 2004 Tony Award® for Best Musical), November 13 - 18, 2007


RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR®, starring the world famous Rockettes (Iowa Premiere), December 6 - 30, 2007


TWELVE ANGRY MEN starring Richard Thomas (Iowa premiere), February 12 - 17, 2008


THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Iowa premiere; 2005 Tony Award® for Best Book), April 8 – 13, 2008
Returning to the Civic Center as Betts Broadway Series Special Presentations are three audience favorites. Appearing Jan. 29 to 31, 2008 for its sixth appearance at the Civic Center, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will rock the house for three performances. Ted Neely reprises his Golden Globe-nominated performance as Jesus from the movie Jesus Christ Superstar. Joining Neely is rock band’s Living Colour’s (“Cult of Personality”) Corey Glover as Judas.


Now in its 11th phenomenal year, the internationally-acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance, RIVERDANCE, takes the stage for the first time since 2002 on March 14 to 16, 2008 with five performances. Still the hottest show off Broadway, the explosive percussion sensation STOMP makes its sixth appearance at the Civic Center with five performances May 9 to 11, 2008.


Additional special events for the 2007-2008 season include the Iowa premieres of three brand new shows and a popular event from last season. The critically acclaimed contemporary dance troupe HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO (HSDC) returns to the Civic Center for an exclusive one-night-only return engagement performance on Oct. 13, 2007.

Making its Civic Center debut – direct from Broadway - RING OF FIRE – THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH features 38 signature songs from the legendary Johnny Cash including “I’ve Been Everywhere,” “Walk the Line,” and its title track, “Ring of Fire.” RING OF FIRE will play for a limited engagement Jan. 11 to 12, 2008 with three performances.

For one night only, RAIN – THE BEATLES EXPERIENCE celebrates The Beatles, one of ‘rock & roll’s’ greatest icons. Featuring live ‘note-for-note’ performances, RAIN takes you on a journey through the years of The Beatles - from the days of Ed Sullivan, Shea Stadium, and Sgt. Pepper to Flower Power and Abby Road. Relive the magic of The Beatles on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.


Also making its Civic Center debut, BALLET HISPANICO will perform for one night only on Friday, April 18, 2008. BALLET HISPANICO is the nation’s premier Hispanic-American dance company rousing audiences worldwide with its magnetic energy and vivacious choreography. Under the watchful eye of Artistic Director Tina Ramirez, its 13 members perform works by the foremost Latino choreographers of our time and those of emerging artists.


"These shows attract a phenomenal amount of attention to our city," said Chelesvig. "The entire season showcases Des Moines as a destination for the highest caliber of Broadway entertainment. The Civic Center will drive significant tourism and economic impact as a result.” The Radio City Christmas Spectacular alone will draw a potential audience of over 125,000.”

Said Chelesvig, “Iowans consistently place a high value on professional live theater and demand Broadway’s best and newest. This season, we’re delivering both - making the Civic Center Central Iowa’s Broadway home.”