Curtain up! Morrison Center new season brings big & splashy, intimate shows to Boise
The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2022-23 Broadway in Boise season last week. It features a couple of shows that were rescheduled from the pandemic lockdown, a couple of returning audience favorites and a genuine blockbuster — flying carpet and all.
This season highlights the two extremes of Broadway: the big, splashy traditions of the genre with “Disney’s Aladdin,” and a newer, leaner, more intimate musical style with “Come From Away.” Throw in the return of two classic rock ‘n’ roll musicals, and the rock opera that started it all, and you are set.
Season renewals are currently underway. The center has not announced the on-sale date for new season subscriptions yet, but you can get on the waiting list at MorrisonCenter.com/broadway/season. Season tickets run from $255 to $535. The season extra, “Beautiful,” is an additional $48 to $98. Individual tickets go on sale one month before the show’s dates.
The 2022-23 season
Sept. 27-Oct. 2: “Come From Away” — Nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2017, this heartfelt musical snagged the coveted Best Director award for Christopher Ashley. It’s based on the true story of 7,000 airline passengers who were diverted to a small town in Newfoundland on Sept. 11, 2001, and the 9,000 Canadian townsfolk who welcomed them after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Tony-nominated writing team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein wrote the book and score based on interviews they did with the people who lived the experience to capture the real-life drama and create a tender, human musical in the vein of “Once.”
Oct. 28-30: “Jesus Christ Superstar” — From 1971 concept album to classic film to beloved stage production, this show has practically created the rock-opera genre. Conceived and written by Tim Rice and Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber, the musical tells the story of the final days of Jesus Christ through the eyes of his closest companion — and ultimate betrayer — Judas. This production originally was created for an open-air venue in London’s Regent’s Park and has been retooled for the proscenium. It features the hits “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and, of course, “Superstar.”
March 24-26, 2023: “Hairspray” — Get ready to jump, jive and boogie with the irrepressible Tracy Turnblad and all the kids in Baltimore in the celebratory musical “Hairspray,” returning to the Morrison Center for the third time. The Tony-winning musical takes you back to the 1960s, as a teenager with big dreams and big hair dances her way to the top teen music show — and changes minds and attitudes along the way. It’s become one of the best-loved musicals and has unstoppable energy, vivacious characters, catchy songs and an upbeat message.
April 20-23, 2023: “Pretty Woman: The Musical” — The 1990 romantic comedy about the relationship between a wealthy businessman and a hooker with a heart of gold won the hearts of a generation. The show has a score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams with Jim Vallance, and a book by late Hollywood legend Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton.
June 20-25: “Disney’s Aladdin” — This show brings the beloved animated film to life with breathtaking color, delightful songs and stagecraft wizardry. Follow the adventures of the “street rat” Aladdin as he talks his way in and out of trouble, escapes evil and turns three wishes into his magic carpet ride to success as he woos Princess Jasmine. This show has a deep Disney pedigree with music by Alan Menken (“Newsies”) and Howard Ashman (“Beauty and the Beast”), lyrics by Tim Rice (“The Lion King”) and book by Chad Beguelin (“The Wedding Singer”). This production is helmed by “The Book of Mormon” director Casey Nicholaw.
Season extra
Dec. 2-3: “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” — Inspired by the true story of chart-topping singer/songwriter Carole King, this tuneful, hit-filled musical follows her amazing career in the record business from struggling Brooklyn teenager to Carnegie Hall. It’s filled with personal triumphs and challenges as she finds her true voice with her groundbreaking 1971 album “Tapestry.” It also features some of the best-loved music of the 1960s and ’70s that came out of her partnership with husband Gerry Goffin, and friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. There are hits such as “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “On Broadway” and “The Loco-Motion.” Whether writing for others or herself, King crafted the music of a generation, a legacy that this high-powered musical celebrates.
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
