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SALT LAKE CITY — After 25 years, Broadway in Utah will have a new name — Broadway at the Eccles — and a new address — the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater now under construction at 100 South and Main — for the 2016-17 season.
Officials announced Wednesday that the first show to play in the new theater will be "Beautiful — The Carole King Musical." The show, which won both a Tony and a Grammy, will run Nov. 15-20.
This year's lineup includes six shows as well as six special offerings, including the return of "Disney's The Lion King," "Mamma Mia" and "The Book of Mormon."
Season tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Friday online at www.Broadway-at-the-Eccles.com and in person at 610 E. South Temple from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Phone orders will be taken beginning Monday at 801-355-5502.
The 2016-17 season will be as follows:
• "Beautiful — The Carole King Musical," Nov. 15-20: This musical tells the true story of King's rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband, Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
• "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," Dec. 6-11: The timeless movie "White Christmas" is adapted for the stage in a lavish production that the New York Times recommends you "put on your wish list."
• "Kinky Boots," Jan. 17-22, 2017: Inspired by true events, "Kinky Boots," featuring songs by Grammy- and Tony-winning pop star Cyndi Lauper, takes theatergoers from a gentlemen's shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. It won six Tony Awards, including best musical, best score and best choreography.
•"Matilda the Musical," Feb. 21-26, 2017: Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, "Matilda" 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.
• "Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella," May 30-June 4, 2017: This musical, from the creators of "The Sound of Music" and "South Pacific," offers a contemporary take on the classic tale
• "Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story on Stage," June 20-25, 2017: Based on the 1987 film starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, this musical features an eight-piece onstage band, passionate romance and sensational dancing. This love story features the hit songs "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby," "Do You Love Me?" and "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."
The season's special offerings include:
• "Disney's The Lion King," March 23-April 16, 2017: Based on the 1994 animated hit, "Disney's The Lion King," features some of Broadway's most recognizable music crafted by Elton John and Tim Rice.
• **"The Book of Mormon," Aug. 1-20, 2017:** The winner of nine Tony Awards, "The Book of Mormon," which played Salt Lake City last year, follows the misadventures of a pair of LDS Church missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the good word. The irreverent and sometimes vulgar musical comes from Trey Park and Matt Stone, creators of "South Park."
• "Men Are From Mars – Women Are From Venus Live!" Dec. 1-3: The off-Broadway hit comedy is a one-man fusion of theatre and stand-up, and is a light-hearted theatrical comedy based on the New York Times No. 1 best-selling book of by John Gray. This show will play the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.
• "A Kurt Bestor Christmas," Dec. 15-17: This annual show will begin a new chapter in the new theater with all the music, humor, spectacle and surprises that has made one of Utah's holiday traditions.
• "Cirque Dreams Holidaze," Dec. 29-31: This circus-like holiday stage spectacular features ornaments, costumes and acrobatics that come alive celebrating holiday themes, music and traditions for the entire family.
•"Mamma Mia!" Feb. 2-5, 2017: This musical — featuring such ABBA hits as "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Take a Chance On Me" and "The Winner Takes It All" — returns to Salt Lake City on its farewell tour.
Contributing: Carole Mikita
