Popejoy Hall’s 2011-12 season starts in October, but the season’s blockbuster show won’t be here until almost a year later.
The blockbuster? Disney’s “The Lion King.” The Broadway musical will have the first of 32 performances at Popejoy on Oct. 2, 2012.
“It still is one of the most popular shows on the road. It does four-week runs and longer in other cities,” said Popejoy director Tom Tkach. “It’s a reflection of what Popejoy can bring to the community. We saw that with ‘Wicked’ last season.”
| Live at Popejoy Here is a chronological listing of the Popejoy Presents season: Oct. 28-30: Blue Man Group. Nov. 13: Kings of Salsa. Live music and dancing to salsa, mambo, rumba and cha-cha-cha. Nov. 19: BLAST! The show is part marching band, part color guard and part jam session. Nov. 20: Joan Rivers. “My Life in Show Business: 135 Years and Counting” Dec. 8: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with David Benoit and special guest Ethan Bortnick Dec. 11: Mariachi Christmas. Dec. 18: An Irish Homecoming with Cherish the Ladies and special guest Maura O’Connell. Jan. 15: Cab Calloway Orchestra with Alice Tan Ridley. Jan. 20-22: “South Pacific.” Jan. 26: Forever Tango with Cheryl Burke. Jan 29: Peking Acrobats. Feb. 1: The classical ballet “Sleeping Beauty.” Feb. 1-12: “My Fair Lady.” Feb. 18: Masters of Motown. Feb. 19: Tao – Art of the Drum. Feb. 24: “Damn Yankees.” March 1: One Night of Queen. March 2-4: “Young Frankenstein.” March 7: St. Petersburg State Orchestra. March 10: Red Star Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble. March 11: An Evening with John Waters. March 16: Celtic Tenors. March 18: “Macbeth.” March 25: The Original Tribute to The Blues Brothers. April 7: Manhattan Transfer. April 28: DanceBrazil. May 5: Sweet Honey in the Rock. May 6: “Say Goodnight Gracie.” May 10-13: “Mary Poppins.” June 5-10: “Les Misérables.” Oct. 2-28, 2012: “The Lion King: The Broadway Musical.” |
The musical “The Lion King,” which premiered in 1997, is based on the Disney animated feature film that had such original songs as “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
Tkach said the stage production includes those plus other songs. Popejoy is announcing its upcoming 45th anniversary season at a new-subscriber party for the public from 2-5 p.m. today at the hall. People can pick up season brochures and place their orders for ticket subscriptions at the party, Tkach said.
Beginning Monday, July 18, anyone wanting to buy season ticket packages may visit www.popejoypresents.comor order in person at the ticket offices in the UNM Bookstore or at The Pit. For season brochures call 277-8010.
(Single tickets will be for sale at a yet-to-be-announced date this fall.)
Blue Man Group, in a theatrical staging, kicks off the 2011-12 season on Oct. 28. It is part of Popejoy Presents’ Ovation Series.
“The Lion King” is one of five shows in its Broadway in New Mexico Series. The other four are “South Pacific,” “My Fair Lady,” the musical “Young Frankenstein” and “Mary Poppins.”
In addition, Popejoy is bringing in the 25th anniversary production of “Les Misérables,” which will have eight performances from June 5-10.
” ‘Les Miz’ is my personal, all-time favorite Broadway musical,” Tkach said. “It’s probably one of the first musicals that I saw. I’m really excited about the restaging and the reimaging of the scenery, which was inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.”
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