music. memories. magic.

The FCCJ Artist Series has announced its 2009 – 2010 Broadway Across America – Jacksonville/FCCJ Artist Series’ Broadway Season. Experience Broadway this 2009-2010 season with Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, the Tony Award Winning A Chorus Line, The Wizard of Oz, Grease starring American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel, and two subscriber specials including the Tony Award Winning Chicago and audience favorite Mama Mia!

Oprah Winfrey Presents THE COLOR PURPLE
November 17-22, 2009: Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over tremendous odds to find joy in life, and her true inner beauty. Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, The Color Purple is a landmark theatrical event. With a joyous GRAMMY-nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, The Color Purple is capturing the hearts of young and old, and uniting audiences in a celebration of love.

A CHORUS LINE
January 19-24, 2010: In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for – with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed — to have the chance to dance. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever. Now A Chorus Line returns. Come meet the new generation of Broadway’s best. “A Chorus Line is back, and it’s thrilling!” – John Lahr, The New Yorker.

THE WIZARD OF OZ
February 23-28, 2010: Bring the entire family to experience the show the New York Times calls “a lavish stage production with colorful costumes, witty choreography, and cool lighting.” Journey back to simpler times with this musical celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, as Dorothy, Toto and their friends travel down the Yellow Brick Road to the magical land of Oz. You’ll know you’re not in Kansas any more from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you Over The Rainbow in this timeless production, featuring the classic songs and beloved characters you remember from your childhood.

GREASE
starring American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel
April 27-May 2, 2010: Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. Bad boy Danny and the girl next door Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: ‘Summer Nights,’ ‘Greased Lightnin’ and ‘We Go Together’ as well as additional songs from the hit movie: ‘Grease,’ ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ and ‘You’re the One That I Want.’ So throw your mittens around your kittens and Hand Jive the night away with the show that’ll make you want to stand up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!”

subscriber specials

MAMMA MIA!
March 26-28, 2010: Over 40 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mama Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, Mama Mia! is a global hit!

CHICAGO
May 21-23, 2010: There’s never been a better time to experience Chicago, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations. A sensational tale of sin, corruption and all that jazz, it’s no surprise that Chicago has wowed audiences from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa. And now it’s coming to Jacksonville! If you’re looking for your first Broadway musical Chicago has everything you could want: knockout dancing, an edge-of-your-seat story and one showstopper after another. If you loved the Academy Award-winning film, nothing beats the live show, and if you are already intimately acquainted with the musical, experience that sizzle again, Chicago always delivers.