Bushnell Announces 2019-2020 Broadway Series

Thank you to Karen VanDerlyn for attending the Bushnell Season Announcement hosted by Seth Rudetsky and sending me the titles in real time. All photos by Karen VanDerlyn.

2019-2020 Broadway Series

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL - October 1-6, 2019

HELLO, DOLLY - November 12-17, 2019

ANASTASIA - January 14-19, 2020

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - February 25-March 1, 2020

THE BAND'S VISIT - April 21-26, 2020

DEAR EVAN HANSEN - May 19-24, 2020

Jimmy Buffett's ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE - June 9-14, 2020

SPAMILTON An American Parody - Sept. 8, 2019

HAMILTON returning in their 2020-2021 Season!

Check out the Bushnell Facebook page for a video sneak peek into the closing performance of o the 2019-2020 Broadway Series Announcement.

Here is the official press release:

THE BUSHNELL ANNOUNCES

2019-2020 BROADWAY SERIES

RECENT TONY-WINNING BEST MUSICALS DEAR EVAN HANSEN AND THE BAND’S VISIT CENTERPIECES OF A VIBRANT SEASON

HARTFORD, CT/April 1, 2019 –The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts announced today the productions that will make up its 2019-2020 Broadway Series season. Beginning this fall, The Bushnell will bring seven exciting titles to Hartford as part of the Series, along with additional off-Series hits to round out a strong season lineup. Series titles are THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, HELLO DOLLY!, ANASTASIA, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE BAND’S VISIT, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, and Jimmy Buffet’s ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. The 2019-2020 Bushnell Broadway Series is once again co-sponsored by Travelers.

A number of audience favorites will also return to The Bushnell during the 2019-2020 season, including Dr. Seuss’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS(December 13 – 15, 2019) and BLUE MAN GROUP (May 8 – 10, 2020).

Additionally, it was announced that HAMILTON, which played a record-breaking run at The Bushnell last December, would return to Hartford during the 2020-2021 season.

Bushnell President and CEO David Fay said of the lineup, “I’m thrilled that the staff at The Bushnell has again put together an exciting and well-rounded season of high-quality Broadway entertainment. There is much to appeal to families, Broadway traditionalists, and those who enjoy contemporary theatrical offerings, including the two most recent Tony-winning Best Musicals. I think our season ticket holders and single ticket buyers will be very happy with these crowd-pleasing selections.”

Current season ticket holders will receive their renewal packages in the coming weeks, and new subscription packages will be available in early summer; new patrons interested in season tickets may call the box office now to have their name placed on a waiting list. Single tickets will go on sale this summer. All dates, titles, and artists are subject to change.

The 2019-2020 Broadway Series

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, September 30 – October 6, 2019
A legendary roster of Grammy Award winners. A visionary director and a Tony-winning design team. One of the world’s most beloved characters. Turn them loose on stage and what do you get? The musical The New York Times declares, “BRILLIANT!” Broadway’s best creative minds reimagine and bring to life the beloved Nickelodeon series with humor, heart and pure theatricality in “a party for the eyes and ears” (Daily Beast). Explore the depths of theatrical innovation in THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, 2018 Best Musical winner of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, where the power of optimism really can save the world.

HELLO, DOLLY!, November 12 – 17, 2019
Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, HELLO, DOLLY! is the universally acclaimed smash that NPR calls “the best show of the year!” Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, director Jerry Zaks’ “gorgeous” new production (Vogue) is “making people crazy happy” (The Washington Post) and “a musical comedy dream!” (Rolling Stone).

ANASTASIA, January 14 – 19, 2020
Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA returns to Connecticut, where it premiered at Hartford Stage in 2016! From the Tony-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. ANASTASIA features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens with direction by Tony winner Darko Tresnjak.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, February 24 – March 1, 2020
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is an iconic musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production comes to North America. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and helmed by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader and award winning choreographer Drew McOnie, this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring.

THE BAND’S VISIT, April 21 – 26, 2020
THE BAND’S VISIT is the winner of ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, making it one of the most Tony-winning musicals in history. In this joyously offbeat story, set in a town that’s way off the beaten path, a band of musicians arrive lost, out of the blue. Under the spell of the desert sky, and with beautiful music perfuming the air, the band brings the town to life in unexpected and tantalizing ways. Even the briefest visit can stay with you forever. With a Tony- and Grammy-winning score that seduces your soul and sweeps you off your feet, and featuring thrillingly talented onstage musicians, The Band’s Visit rejoices in the way music makes us laugh, makes us cry, and ultimately, brings us together.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN, May 19 – 24, 2020
A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says DEAR EVAN HANSEN is “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.”

Jimmy Buffet’s ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, June 9 – 14, 2020
Welcome to Margaritaville, where people come to get away from it all—and stay to find something they never expected. With a book by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia and Emmy nominee Mike O’Malley, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE is the musical comedy featuring both original songs and your most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Fins,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and many more. USA Today calls it "A little slice of paradise!" and Entertainment Weekly raves, "It will knock your flip-flops off!"

About The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
The Bushnell is Connecticut’s premier performing arts center, hosting more than 350 events yearly, including major Broadway tours, symphony orchestras, family presentations, local arts and community events. The Bushnell is home to two theaters- the historic 2,800-seat Mortensen Hall, and the 907-seat Belding Theater, a state-of-the-art performance hall that opened in 2001. The Bushnell’s nationally recognized, award-winning, arts-in-education program, PARTNERS® (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools), now in its 26th year, continues to provide quality arts-in-education programs for schools and communities across Connecticut. The Bushnell opened in January 1930 and is a not-for-profit organization that is proud to serve Connecticut and its citizens. For more information, call The Bushnell at 860-987-6000, The Bushnell box office at 860-987-5900 or visit our website at www.bushnell.org.