Hamilton sets Houston dates

Hamilton finally sets a date with Houston in eclectic Broadway series season

Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you’ve been waiting for, the pride of Broadway, here comes Alexander Hamilton. That’s right, he’s almost (a year away) here, when Hamilton hits Houston as part of the just announced 2017-2018 BBVA Compass Broadway at the Hobby Center season.

Scheduled for April 24-May 20, 2018, Hamilton will anchor the Broadway season with five other Houston premieres including Escape to Margaritaville, a show we’ll see before New York does, and two shows from Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock and Love Never Dies, the sequel to the phenomenal Phantom of the Opera. So get ready and On Your Feet as we look to the next Broadway season at the Hobby.

Escape to Margaritaville (October 31-November 5, 2017)
The season begins with no trick but a Halloween treat, a limited pre-Broadway engagement and brand new show featuring Jimmy Buffett’s classic laid-back, beach-life songs along with special new tunes written by Buffett for the show. This musical love story between an aspiring singer/bartender and a career-focused tourist comes from Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley, who both have plenty of Hollywood cred with the show helmed by Tony nominated director Christopher Ashley.

On Your Feet! (November 21-26, 2017)
The true-life, struggles-to-stardom story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan follows the couple from Cuba to Miami and their trip up the music charts to become Latin and pop royalty. The hit Broadway musical with plenty of Estefan songs takes Houston next fall, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and an original book by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).

The Color Purple (January 9-14, 2018)
This new production of the musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel won the Tony for Best Musical Revival in 2016. Expect a score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues woven into heart-wrenching life story of Celie as she tries to unite with her beloved sister.

School of Rock (January 30-February 4, 2018)
Based on the hilarious and surprisingly sweet Jack Black film, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, a substitute teacher from hell — or from any kid’s point of view, rock heaven —turns a class of earnest misfits into the a kick-ass rock band. The show features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber sung by the kid cast who play their own instruments.

Hamilton (April 24-May 20, 2018)
For anyone living in a deep sea trench the last two years, the hip hop musical that recounts and raps out the life of founding father and the first U.S. Treasury Secretary has pretty much changed our perceptions of what musical theater can be. Created by the Tony, Emmy and Grammy winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, who’s probably fast on his way to an EGOT, Hamilton is still almost impossible to get a ticket for on Broadway, even after most of the original cast has moved on to television and film. In April 2018, there’s no need to fly to New York to try for that Hamilton lottery. Mister Secretary comes to us.

Love Never Dies (July 17-22, 2018)
Spoiler alert: the Phantom survived that total misunderstanding at the Paris Opera House, and now, 10years later, he’s moved to America to hang with and haunt the freaks and geeks of Coney Island. Will he get that second chance with the lovely Christine as she too heads west to sing in New York? And what of her tumultuous marriage to the rich and handsome Raoul? Andrew Lloyd Webber gives them all the songs they need to sing their continuing saga out in the summer of 2018.

Riverdance (March 9-11, 2018)
The 20th Anniversary World Tour of the beloved Irish dance and music show is the 2017-2018 BBVA Compass Broadway at the Hobby Center season option that can be added to a subscription package. Though holding fast to the songs and dances of the original production, this 20th anniversary tour will feature new costumes, lighting, projections and a brand new acapella hard-shoe number “Anna Livia,” by the female members of the troupe.

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Tickets for Hamilton can be guaranteed to those who purchase season tickets for the Broadway at the Hobby Center 2017-18 series. For more information, go to www.BroadwayAtTheHobbyCenter.com, call (800) 952-6560, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 7:00 pm CST, or visit the Hobby Center Box Office at 800 Bagby Street during business hours.

Chris D'Sean Lee and the cast of the Chicago company of Hamilton.

Chris De'Sean Lee and cast of Hamilton, Chicago company

Photo by Joan Marcus

Chris D'Sean Lee and the cast of the Chicago company of Hamilton.

theater

welcome to houston

Musical theater veteran joins prominent Houston company

Courtesy of Stages

Stages has named Valerie Rachelle as its new associate artist director.

A Houston theater company is adding an accomplished artist to its ranks. Stages announced that Valerie Rachelle will be the company’s new associate artistic director beginning in January 2026.

For more than a decade, Rachelle has been artistic director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon, where she oversaw artistic vision and operations. That theater specializes in musical theater performances offered in a cabaret setting.

Rachelle comes to Houston with a career spanning nearly 30 years as a director and choreographer. She has extensive experience in developing new musicals and plays for regional theaters and opera companies across the United States, including the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Sierra Repertory Theatre. She was appointed to her position at Stages following a nationwide search.

“I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity to join this incredible company, and I’m excited to be a part of a creative entity that has a strong mission and vision as Stages,” Rachelle said in a statement.

In her role with Stages, she will support artistic director Derek Charles Livingston with season planning and casting; liaise with artists, press, and staff; and coordinate day-to-day operations for the artistic department. She will also assist with crafting educational materials, direct and choreograph productions, and serve as the primary liaison with theatrical unions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Valerie to Stages in this role,” said Livingston. “I have seen her work as a director and director choreographer — she's excellent. Those skills combined with her experience as a theatre artistic director and manager only further fortify Stages' commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.”

Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Rachelle began her career as a dancer and apprentice ballerina with the Eugene Ballet Company before earning her BFA in acting from California Institute of the Arts. She received her MFA in Directing from the University of California, Irvine. She has held teaching and directing positions at numerous institutions, including the University of Southern California, Southern Oregon University, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and others. She has also served as a mentor through Statera Arts, an organization dedicated to gender equity in the arts.

Rachelle teaches musical theater, auditioning, and singing at Southern Oregon University when she isn’t on the road as a freelance director and choreographer. She’s also a classically trained singer and toured the world with her parents and their illusionist show as a child.

“Joining the team that has a long-standing reputation of excellence in theater is an honor,” Rachelle added.

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