Broadway season begins in Miami

For theatre-goers, the slight dip in weather in Miami does not only signify the arrival of the holidays, but also the beginning of Broadway season. The transition into 2017 brings us the joy of musical theatre at the Broward and Adrienne Arsht Centers for the Performing Arts with 14 professional shows to choose from.

“Dirty Dancing”: Nov. 29-Dec. 4, 2016

Adrienne Arsht Center

Loved the movie? Relive the romance between Baby and Johnny as they tango to classic songs from the film version such as “The Time of My Life” and “Hungry Eyes.” In 1963 New York while on vacation, Frances “Baby” Houseman catches sight of resort dance instructor Johnny Castle, where she falls in love with him and the risqué dance moves he teaches her. When Johnny’s dancing partner, Penny, finds she is pregnant from an affair with Robbie, Baby’s older sister’s boyfriend, Baby goes out of her way to try and scrape up the money necessary for an illegal abortion, fueling high tensions between Baby’s staunch old-school parents and the “dirty dancing” boy they believe to be a bad influence.

Rodger & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”: Dec. 13-25, 2016

Broward Center

Witness the elegance Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” has to offer on stage with the classic tale about a humble girl, a glass slipper and the pumpkin carriage that escorted her to the ball. Rodgers and Hammerstein – two of the most iconic figures in musical theatre history – are best known for their renditions of “Cinderella,” “Oklahoma!,” “The King and I,” “Big River,” “The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific” and dozens more, featuring the classic tunes and ballads that remain a popular part of America’s cinematic and theatrical history. They produced the original production for television, aired in 1957, starring Julie Andrews in the lead role, going on to two Emmy Nominations that year: Julie Andrews for Best Actress and Richard Rodgers for Best Musical Contribution for Television. Over fifty years later, the stage version debuted on Broadway for the first time in 2013.

“An American in Paris”: Dec. 27, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017

Adrienne Arsht Center

For all the classic movie buffs, make sure not to confuse this more recent production with the 1951 film starring Gene Kelly; “An American in Paris” on Broadway tells the story of Jerry Mulligan, an American soldier, and French ballet dancer Lise Dassin, an engaged woman, as they fall into a complicated love triangle in the heart of Paris. This new musical, which debuted in 2015, won the Tony Award for Best Choreography, Orchestrations, Scenic Design of a Musical and Lighting Design of a Musical last year. Inspired by the original 1951 film production and by the music composed by Jazz Age songwriters George and Ira Gershwin, “An American in Paris” will transport the audience into the timeless years following World War II in The City of Lights.

“Cabaret”: Jan. 10-22, 2017

Broward Center

Pre-World War II Berlin, Germany, welcomes American writer Cliff Bradshaw, where he befriends Ernst Ludwig, a German, and Sally Bowles, and English woman, at the Kit Kat Klub – where the 1930s nightlife blooms. Even after Ernst tricks Cliff into running an errand to Paris and back for the Nazis, this lively and risqué performance begs us to question the beauty of life.

“Sunday in the Park with George”: Jan. 19-Feb. 12, 2017

Adrienne Arsht Center

Composed by musical theatre legend Stephen Sondheim, and inspired by George Seurat’s famous painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” (which now hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago), this under-talked-about Broadway show reveals the life and love of the artist himself – and breathes life into the people he painted on canvas.

“Beautiful – the Carole King Musical”: Feb. 14-19, 2017

Adrienne Arsht Center

“Beautiful” tells the surprisingly personal story and biography of the original “natural woman,” New York City-born singer and songwriter Carole King, through the very songs that she wrote, composed and sang from the time she was a bebopping teenager to after a heartbreaking divorce. All ages can enjoy the toe-tapping tunes that influenced King’s life from the ‘50s to the ‘80s.

Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”: Feb. 22-March 2, 2017

Broward Center

Perhaps one of the most recognizable shows for the current generation, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” brings the world “under the sea” to the stage for audiences young and old to enjoy. Take the journey from fin to foot with Ariel and relive the classic story from childhood.

Annie: Mar. 3-5, 2017

Adrienne Arsht Center

This ultimate feel-good musical about an orphan girl, based on the 1920s comic strip called “Little Orphan Annie,” was adapted and premiered onstage as a Broadway show in 1977, proceeding to win seven Tony Awards. It is currently the 13th longest-running Broadway musical in American theatre history. Since its debut, it has undergone several movie adaptations and continues to serve as a classic feel-good theatre sensation.

“Something Rotten!”: March 21-April 2, 2017

Broward Center

“Something Rotten!,” arguably one of the latest and greatest things on Broadway in the past two years, presents a comedic story about two Renaissance playwrights, brothers Nigel and Nick Bottom, who try to surpass none other than William Shakespeare to produce theatre’s “next big thing”: the musical. The smash hit won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, by Christian Borle, and had ten total nominations that year.

“Jersey Boys”: April 4-9, 2017

Adrienne Arsht Center

“Beautiful” honored the woman behind decades of timeless music, but “Jersey Boys” honors the music and lives of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the 1960s and ‘70s. Popular songs known to every American, including “Sherry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” take viewers through their journey from the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“Matilda the Musical”: April 25-May 7, 2017

Broward Center

Roald Dahl’s children’s book, “Matilda,” inspired the musical (and, of course, the film) about the bookish girl neglected by her parents and headmistress at her religious school. Overcome the obstacles she faces with her in this musical version of the humorous and inspiring story.

“The King and I”: May 9-14, 2017

Adrienne Arsht Center

Another Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, “The King and I” –based on Margaret Landon’s novel “Anna and the King of Siam” published in 1944 – won the 1952 Tony Award for Best Musical, and four years later it inspired the well-known film version. In this hidden romance, British teacher Anna visits Siam to teach the King’s children while facing the obstacle of the King himself, trying to learn acceptance. The unlikely duo learn to mutually accept each other and come to peace in a touching and artistic display.

“Mamma Mia!”: May 19-21, 2017

Broward Center

Hold your Trojan horses – this Broadway production of “Mamma Mia!” vastly differs from the film version starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried. This fun, female-favorite set in modern-day Greece boasts the music of ABBA as the engaged Sophie, who tries to find her true father. In this comedy Sophie’s mother and her two life-long girl friends– also her backup singers from their youth– try to deal with reminiscing over each of her ex-lovers while trying to prep for Sophie’s big day. But do not let this one slip through your fingers; “Mamma Mia!” stops in Ft. Lauderdale in May for its Final Farewell Tour and only stops in three more locations in the nation before it will never again be seen onstage.

“Finding Neverland”: June 13-25, 2017

Broward Center

Most people are already familiar with this family-friendly classic made popular by the Disney cartoon film “Peter Pan.” Known for its creative take on costumes, choreography and set design to tell the story of how Peter Pan and his sidekick Tinker Bell take three British kids on the adventure of a lifetime – to find Neverland and battle the infamous Captain Hook – “Finding Neverland” is bound to take the audience on a flight beyond their expectations.

The original playwright, J. M. Barrie, derived the idea for Peter Pan from an actual relationship he formed with the family of a widowed woman. In London he befriended her five children, all boys, and regularly invited the family to his home to play. It was the imaginary adventures they had together that inspired the characters and storyline for his novel.