The 2003 Tony Award-winning musical "Hairspray," plus two Broadway musicals choreographed this season by Squirrel Hill native Kathleen Marshall, "Wonderful Town" and "Little Shop of Horrors," are part of the 2004-05 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. The seven-show 2004-05 subscription package also includes a revue of 50 Disney songs, a pair of classic musicals and a solo performance about the life of actress Katharine Hepburn. "Hairspray" concludes the season April 12 through 24 at the Benedum Center with a two-week run. The retro celebration, set in 1962 Baltimore when the Twist and TV dance shows were all the rage, features a big girl with big hair and even bigger dreams. It's preceded by "Wonderful Town," directed and choreographed by Squirrel Hill native Kathleen Marshall, that will kick off its national tour here March 8 to 13 at Heinz Hall. The musical is still playing on Broadway, where it opened last fall. Like "Hairspray," "Wonderful Town" features women with big dreams -- this time two sisters from Ohio who aspire to careers as a writer and actress and take up residence in 1950s Greenwich Village. Leonard Bernstein created the music for the 1953 musical. Betty Comden and Adolph Green supplied the lyrics. Marshall also choreographed "Little Shop of Horrors," which will follow "Wonderful Town" into Heinz Hall for a run March 22 through 27. It's also about someone with big dreams, this time a guy named Seymour who gets more than he bargained for when he dabbles in botany and creates a blood-craving plant named Audrey. Based on a 1960 Roger Corman film of black comedy and horror, "Little Shop" has long been a staple of community, high school and dinner theaters that's only now enjoying its Broadway debut. The season kicks off Nov. 2 through 14 at the Byham Theater with "Tea at Five." Kate Mulgrew, as film actress Hepburn, invites the audience into her Connecticut home for a look at her film career. When "Tea at Five" appeared off-Broadway, Mulgrew received a 2003 Lucille Lortel Award nomination for outstanding actress. Disney, which produced the musicals "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway, has put together "Disney's On the Record, which will fill the Benedum Center during Thanksgiving week, Nov. 23 through 28. A song-and-dance revue aimed at a family audience, "On the Record" features more than 50 songs from Disney animated films such as "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Tarzan," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Sleeping Beauty," "Dumbo," "Peter Pan," "Pinocchio," "Lady and the Tramp," "Cinderella" and "Snow White." Season offerings also will include non-Equity tours of Rodgers and Hammerstein's revolutionary American musical classic "Oklahoma!" as well as "Oliver!," Lionel Bart's musical adaptation of the novel "Oliver Twist." "Oklahoma!" will ring in the new year at Heinz Hall, running Dec. 28 through Jan. 2. It is adapted from Cameron Mackintosh's presentation of the British Royal National Theatre production that moved to Broadway for 388 performances in 2002 and 2003. There, it featured Trevor Nunn's direction and Susan Stroman's choreography. "Oliver!" will play Feb. 1 through 6 at the Benedum Center in a production that reportedly features a cast of 70. Based on the Charles Dickens novel, the musical centers on a resilient orphan who dares to ask for a second bowl of gruel and copes with stints as an apprentice to an undertaker and a pickpocket before triumphing over adversity. A total of 11 shows will be presented by PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh with series partners Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Clear Channel Entertainment during the 2004-05 season. "I do think to announce 11 shows -- at least to announce them this early -- is a record," says Kevin McMahon, president of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. In addition to the seven subscription series shows, area theatergoers can anticipate return visits from four musicals that are offered separate from the subscription series. "Mamma Mia!," which ties together two dozen vintage ABBA hits with a youthful, sometimes silly, but enjoyable tale, will return July 13 through 25 at Heinz Hall, where it last played in 2002. For those hard-core procrastinators who failed to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's wildly popular musical extravaganza, "Cats" will make its 10th visit, playing Sept. 7 through 12 at the Benedum Center. Its last pass through here was in 2002. "Les Miserables," last seen here in 2001, will return for the eighth time Jan. 11 through 16 at the Benedum Center. Once again, the relentless Javert will pursue Jean Valjean through the sewers of Paris, while students will once more barricade the streets for their ill-fated 1832 uprising. Also returning is Mel Brooks' musical adaptation of his comedic film "The Producers," which began its national tour here in 2002. The show about Broadway con men whose scheme to produce a flop gets them into hot water when the show garners rave reviews will play Jan. 25 through 30 at the Benedum Center. "I'm happy we could get 'The Producers' (to return) this quickly," McMahon says. "The fact that it's still on the road and in New York is really great. That's the advantage of getting it so early the first time." Additional Information:

Details

2004-05 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series 'Tea at Five,' Nov. 2-14, Byham Theater 'Disney's On the Record,' Nov. 23-28, Benedum Center 'Oklahoma!,' Dec. 28-Jan. 2, Heinz Hall 'Oliver!,' Feb, 1-6, Benedum Center 'Wonderful Town,' March 8-13, Heinz Hall 'Little Shop of Horrors,' March 22-27, Heinz Hall 'Hairspray,' April 12-24, Benedum Center Subscription package prices range from $166.20 to $423.81 Details: (412)456-1390 or (800) 828-9200 or the Web site . PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh specials 'Mamma Mia!,' July 13-25, Heinz Hall 'Cats,' Sept. 7-12, Benedum Center 'Les Miserables,' Jan. 11-16, Benedum Center 'The Producers,' Jan. 25-30, Benedum Center

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