--Welcome to the Broadway Across America Report, coming to you from our studio in Times Square.
I'm Ryan Lee Gilbert, National Editor for Broadway.com.
--And I'm Julie James, program director and host of SiriusXM On Broadway.
--This episode, Julie and I will let you know which popular Broadway shows will be hitting
the road this year and traveling to cities all across the country.
And if you're not already a Broadway Across America subscriber, we'll fill you in on all
of the great benefits that come along with being one.
--Plus, we've got fun updates about the touring productions of Waitress, Chicago, The Lion
King, and Les Miserables.
So, let's get right to it and get you caught up on all of this awesome news.
--Cities all across the country are announcing which Broadway shows will be coming to their
theaters for the 2018-19 season.
This year's Tony-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen, as well as Come from Away, Anastasia,
A Bronx Tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the Play that Goes Wrong are just a few
of the original titles launching tours later this year.
Of course, acclaimed musical revivals are also getting in on the touring game, including
Hello, Dolly!, Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, and Miss Saigon.
Broadway Across America brings the best national touring productions, including blockbuster
musicals, plays, and family shows directly to you, and all you have to do to become a
subscriber is visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com, pick your city, choose a season ticket package
that meets your lifestyle, and then you'll be enjoying these hit shows before you know
it.
So, keep an eye on your Broadway Across America City Buzz page to find out what's headed to
your city, and how you can get the best seats in the house by subscribing to these amazing
seasons of theater.
--The national tour of Sara Bareilles' hit musical Waitress is set to bring its sweet
story and delicious score to more than 20 cities over the next several months, and they've
baked something special to celebrate.
Starting in February, Broadway's Waitress is bringing theater-goers a new pie flavor:
Berry Sweet Valentines Day Pie.
But, don't worry, Broadway audiences don't get to have all the fun.
We recently spoke with tour star Desi Oakley, who shared with us why she loves playing Jenna.
--I'm thrilled to play Jenna.
I have a strong feeling she will be one of the most dynamic women I will ever play.
She's multi-layed, she's complicated, she is real.
She is very good at burying her problems in pie.
She's an expert pie-maker.
She just doesn't face it.
And the whole story is about people and things making her face it, making her face her reality,
and what her truth is.
--Get your tickets to see Waitress today.
--Celebrating 20 years of All that Jazz, the Tony-winning revival of Chicago continues
to wow audiences on the Great White Way.
During a recent episode of Broadway Across America in Lifetime Television's Broadway
Balances America, correspondent Amber Mill chatted with former leading ladies of the
show including Lisa Merman, about why Kander and Ebb's landmark musical continues to mesmerize
audiences.
--Bob Fosse, Kander and Ebb, and we had an incredible first cast, but I think it's universal.
I think it's visual, I think it's the music, it's exciting to watch, it's got danger, it's
got sexy.
It's got all those things.
So, we end up really crossing all the cultural boundaries.
--The touring production of Chicago is set to Razzle Dazzle over 30 cities in the coming
months, so don't miss your chance to paint the town red with this iconic musical.
--Since opening on Broadway in 1997, Disney's The Lion King has become the highest-grossing
show on the Great White Way, and has also been touring constantly for 15 years.
The latest version of The Lion King tour has undergone a few changes to make it more adaptable
on the road, and the show can now be presented in theaters that previously couldn't accommodate
such a large scale spectacle.
What hasn't changed is the musical's endless appeal.
And now, Disney vet Jelani Remy, who stars as Simba in the Broadway production, is Broadway.com's
newest backstage vlogger.
Over the course of eight weekly episodes, Remy will take all of us behind the scenes
at the magical musical that has been wowing audiences for over thirty years.
Catch each new episode of Remy's vlog, The Pride of Broadway, on Broadway.com, and find
out when The Lion King is headed to your city so you can go experience the wonder for yourself.
--Nick Cartell is currently playing Jean Valjean in the touring production of Les Miserables,
which is bringing the revolution to cities all across North America.
Cartell stopped by the Broadway.com studio to perform the song Bring Him Home from the
epic musical, and his performance has left all of us feeling heaven-blessed.
--[singing] Bring him peace, bring him joy.
He is young.
He is only a boy.
You can take.
You can give.
Let him be.
Let him live.
--Bring yourself peace.
Bring yourself joy, and get your tickets to see Les Mis as soon as you can.
--And that's it for this episode of The Broadway Across America Report.
We'll be back soon with new buzz and updates about your favorite touring productions.
--In the meantime, be sure to tune into Sirius XM On Broadway on channel 72 to keep up with
all of the exciting programming that's planned.
--And for more Broadway and tour buzz, visit Broadway.com.
And to find out when all these hit shows are playing close to your home,
visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.
See you next month with a look behind the scenes of the best that touring Broadway has
to offer.