The inaugural series of Broadway at Buddy Holly Hall was announced Tuesday, a slate of seven shows beginning this November and going through July 2021.
The first show, "Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story" scheduled for Nov. 17 and 18, was an obvious choice to kick off the season, said American Theatre Guild Executive Director Amy Hamm. American Theatre Guild, a Kansas City-based nonprofit, is the Broadway presenter for them Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences.
“That one was pretty much a no brainer," Hamm said. "It’s a title that we’ve had success with. I think we’ve had it in every market we have. It’s a beloved title and obviously a perfect fit for Lubbock.”
The musical retelling of Lubbock's most famous son's short but spectacular career features songs “That'll Be The Day,” “Not Fade Away“ and "Oh Boy," along with hits from Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.
Dec. 16 and 17 will bring Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a holiday-themed musical and acrobat show for the whole family.
Right before Valentine’s Day, Feb. 9 and 10, a musical version of the 1982 movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” will grace the stage. The tour is a new production Hamm said she is excited about. The creative team did extensive, hands-on research to ensure militaristic choreography is accurate.
“It’s just so exciting how involved and how much they all care about the project," Hamm said. "The fact that the choreographer is watching actual training to make sure she gets the choreography right in the show. This will be out on the road before it makes its way to New York.”
"An Officer and a Gentleman," which features hits from the 1980s, will launch its first U.S. tour in the fall.
"Beautiful – The Carole King Musical," a Broadway smash for more than five years, comes March 15 and 16.
“It’s one of my favorite shows," Hamm said. "It really digs into the Carole King catalog from all of her time writing music, from a young age throughout her life.”
For almost a full week in April, Lubbockites will hear the people sing in Broadway blockbuster "Les Miserables."
"It’s still the big, beautiful, iconic show that audiences have loved for so long," Hamm said.
The touring productions of "Jersey Boys" and "Rent" are scheduled for May and July, shows season ticket holders can either add on to their order or swap with a show they’re not as interested in during the regular season.
Hamm said they hoped to announce the Broadway lineup a month ago. But the ongoing pandemic has made it hard to plan weeks, let alone months, ahead. Who knows what November will look like.
“We have a really flexible guarantee in place," Hamm said. "We just want to make sure everyone’s safe, but we also want to make sure that we can get the arts back up and running when the time’s appropriate, too.”
The show goes on, as touring productions are likely to come back before shows actually on Broadway in New York City will, Hamm said. Broadway shows are currently cancelled through early September.
“There’s no handbook to help you guide your way through this," Hamm said. "We’re starting to feel a little bit like experts. There’s just been so much moving and shifting. It’s been really difficult."
Charlton Northington, general manager of the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, said the venue is still scheduled to open this fall. Booking out of town acts has been like putting together a puzzle, he said, trying to fit together pieces for an entertainers tour to make sense. Keeping dates flexible, at this point at least, has not affected opening year plans too much, Northington said.
“We’re reacting sometimes to what’s going on in Los Angeles, Nashville New York, as far as entertainers, shows and how they need to adjust," Northington said.
“Everybody’s just trying to make sure we get the industry back up and running again. Concerts and entertainment, it’s kind of an important part of our lives.”
Broadway at Buddy Holly Hall season tickets go on sale May 26. For more information, visit The American Theatre Guild website.
