For release on April 1, 2015
Contact: Tara McNamara
864.679.9225
tmcnamara@peacecenter.org
Peace Center announces 2015-2016 Broadway Season
Shows include Dirty Dancing, Motown The Musical, Disney’s Newsies, Matilda The
Musical, Cabaret, The Sound of Music and The Bridges of Madison County
Plus special engagements of
Jersey Boys and Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour
And coming in the 2016-2017 season,
the highly anticipated return of Disney’s The Lion King
***
Greenville, S.C. –The 2015-2016 Broadway season at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts features Tony
Award® winners, family favorites, classic love stories and hit songs.
The season features the record-breaking smash Motown The Musical, the critically acclaimed Matilda The
Musical, the iconic love story of Dirty Dancing, the sweeping romance of The Bridges of Madison County,
Roundabout Theatre Company’s spectacular Tony® winning production of Cabaret, the crowd-pleasing
Disney’s Newsies and a beautiful new production of The Sound of Music.
In addition to the seven-show Broadway season and back by popular demand are the award-winning Jersey
Boys and an all new 20th anniversary production of Riverdance.
Season ticket holders will want to lock in their seats now, because the 2016-2017 season will bring the highly
anticipated return of Disney’s The Lion King.
“This is the Peace Center’s biggest season yet,” said Peace Center President and CEO Megan Riegel. “It’s a
testament to our loyal season ticket holders and Peacekeepers that we’re able to schedule the best shows that
touring Broadway has to offer. The Peace Center turns 25 this year, and it’s rewarding to know our Broadway
audiences have grown to the point they can sustain this level of programming.”
The 2015-2016 Broadway season seven-show package includes:
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage
Sept. 29-Oct. 4, 2015
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heartpounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing.
Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two
fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together in what will be the most
challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring the hit songs, “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do
You Love Me?” and the heart-stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” London’s Sunday Express says,
“This crowd-pleasing stage adaptation hits the jackpot!”
Don’t miss your chance to see this record-breaking live theater sensation. You’ll have the time of your life!
Motown The Musical
Nov. 24-29, 2015
Special Thanksgiving week engagement
It began as one man’s story … became everyone’s music … and is now Broadway’s musical. Motown The
Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight
boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey
Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat.
Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story
behind the music in the record-breaking smash hit Motown The Musical!
Disney’s Newsies
Dec. 29, 2015-Jan. 3, 2016
Special holiday engagement
They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines … Direct from Broadway comes Newsies, the smashhit, crowd-pleasing new musical from Disney. Winner of the 2012 Tony Awards® for Best Score and Best
Choreography, Newsies has audiences and critics alike calling it “A MUSICAL WORTH SINGING
ABOUT!” (The New York Times). Filled with one heart-pounding number after another, it’s a high-energy
explosion of song and dance you just don’t want to miss.
Based on true events, Newsies tells the captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes
when they stand up to the most powerful men in New York. It’s a rousing tale about fighting for what’s right
… and staying true to who you are.
Newsies was brought to the stage by an award-winning creative team. It features a score by Alan Menken
(Beauty and the Beast) and Jack Feldman (The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride) and a book by Harvey Fierstein
(La Cage Aux Folles), with choreography by Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific) and direction by Jeff
Calhoun (Big River).
Matilda The Musical
Feb. 2-7, 2016
“Welcome to the deliriously amusing, heartwarming, head-spinning world of Matilda The Musical. You
won’t want to leave.” – Bloomberg News
TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year! Winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards®,
Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp
mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages on
Broadway and in London’s West End. The Wall Street Journal says, “The makers of Matilda have done
the impossible – triumphantly! It is smart, sweet, zany and stupendous fun.”
Cabaret
March 15-20, 2016
Direct from Broadway, the acclaimed masterpiece returns to Greenville! As part of their 50th anniversary
season, the critically acclaimed and award-winning Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present Sam
Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall’s (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony
Award®-winning production of Cabaret.
Welcome to the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the
stage nightly to tantalize the crowd – and to leave their troubles outside. But as life in pre-WWII Germany
grows more and more uncertain, will the decadent allure of Berlin nightlife be enough to get them through
their dangerous times?
Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theater history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and
“Maybe This Time.” Leave your troubles outside – life is beautiful at Cabaret, John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe
Masteroff’s Tony-winning musical about following your heart while the world loses its way.
The Sound of Music
April 20-24, 2016
The hills are alive! A brand new production of The Sound of Music, directed by three-time Tony Award®
winning Director Jack O’Brien, is coming to the Peace Center. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical
story of Maria and the Von Trapp family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and
Academy Award® winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry
Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.
The Sound of Music enjoyed extraordinary success as the first live television production of a musical in more
than 50 years when “The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013 (seen by more than 44
million people). 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most
successful movie musical in history.
The Bridges of Madison County
July 19-24, 2016
The Bridges of Madison County, one of the most romantic stories ever written, first captured the nation’s
attention as a best-selling novel and is now an irresistible, two time Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical.
This stunning new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award®-winning composer Jason
Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that the Daily News hails as “one of Broadway’s best scores in
the last decade.” With a book by Pulitzer Prize Winner Marsha Norman (The Secret Garden, The Color
Purple) and direction by Tony® winner Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza), The Bridges of
Madison County is the unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance
encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.
In addition to the seven shows that are part of the season package, the Peace Center will present two special
options:
Jersey Boys
Oct. 27-Nov. 1, 2015
Theatergoers cheered when Jersey Boys made its premiere in Greenville in July 2013. Worldwide, more than
22 million people have seen Jersey Boys. And now, the show that thrilled audiences will return to Greenville!
Jersey Boys is the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of
Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the true story
of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own
songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! Jersey
Boys features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t
Take My Eyes Off You.” “THE CROWD GOES WILD!” proclaims The New York Times.
The Jersey Boys creative team comprises two-time Tony Award®-winning director Des McAnuff, book
writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, composer Bob Gaudio, lyricist Bob Crewe and choreography by
Sergio Trujillo.
Jersey Boys contains authentic, “profane Jersey language” and is recommended for ages 12+.
Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour
June 28-July 3, 2016
“The show is quite simply incredible. A phenomenon of historic proportions” - Washington Times
“As for the flaws? Well, there simply aren’t any. Here’s to another 20 years!” - The Edinburgh Evening News
The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary
World Tour. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and
music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative
and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland - in rock, music,
theatre and film - nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. Riverdance The 20th Anniversary World Tour is composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by
John McColgan, and comes directly to North America from a sold out run across Europe and Asia.
Coming in the 2016-2017 season:
Disney’s The Lion King
More than 75 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s The Lion King,
and now this beloved musical, which first played the Peace Center in 2012, makes its highly anticipated return
to Greenville. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings
together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie
Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning
visuals. The Lion King also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like The Lion King.
Seven-show season ticket packages are $180-$605 and are available now to renewing and new subscribers.
Ticket packages including Jersey Boys and/or Riverdance are also available. Individual show tickets will go
on sale at later dates to be announced. Season ticket packages may be purchased by calling 864.467.3000 or
800.888.7768, in person at the Peace Center Box Office or online at www.peacecenter.org. A per order
handling fee applies.
For more information about the Peace Center and its upcoming events, visit www.peacecenter.org.
Events, dates, times, prices and performers are subject to change without notice.