Spring has arrived and as things have started to heat up, so have the season announcements. Here’s the latest from March 2019!
March Season Announcements
From a statistical point, March saw 38 seasons announced, which was just two more than the previous year. The top day for announcements was Monday, which had 12 announcements–helped by the fact that nine of those announcements came on the same day (March 11th). Here are the top five shows announced in the month:
| Show | March Announcements | |
| 1 | Come From Away | 16 |
| The Band’s Visit | 16 | |
| 2 | Escape to Margaritaville | 14 |
| 3 | Jesus Christ Superstar | 13 |
| 4 | Summer | 12 |
| Cats | 12 | |
| Jersey Boys | 12 | |
| 5 | The SpongeBob Musical | 11 |
As expected, most of the announcements came from major markets. and some of them revealed the first locations for the new shows touring the nation next season. Here’s a summary, brief analysis and my personal rating for those locations from my Top 50 Venues as well as a other few notable announcements.
Los Angeles, CA: Ahmanson Theatre
- Announced: 1 March 2019
- Shows: Latin History for Morons, The New One, The Book of Mormon, Once On This Island
- Thoughts: An interesting season at the Ahmanson includes almost all new shows. Most of these shows are probably not the big names most would’ve expected to play there, and some probably would’ve wanted more shows.
- Overall grade: B-
Denver, CO: Denver Center
- Announced: 4 March 2019
- Shows: Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Escape to Margaritaville, Summer, Rent, The SpongeBob Musical, Mean Girls, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, My Fair Lady, The Band’s Visit, Hamilton
- Thoughts: A fully stacked season once again shows why Denver has the top spot in the rankings. What may have been the complete season was the addition of Once On This Island, but nevertheless, they are flexing their proverbial muscle with this season.
- Overall grade: A+
Schenectady, NY: Proctors
- Announced: 4 March 2019
- Shows: The SpongeBob Musical, Frozen, The Band’s Visit, Fiddler on the Roof, Summer, The Play That Goes Wrong, Cats, Hello, Dolly!, Dear Evan Hansen
- Thoughts: Recent back-to-back Best Musical Tony Winners headline the season in a very family-friendly season.
- Overall grade: B
Houston, TX: Hobby Center
- Announced: 4 March 2019
- Shows: Cats, Dear Evan Hansen, Hello, Dolly!, The Band’s Visit, Jersey Boys, Come From Away, Fiddler on the Roof, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Thoughts: Again, back-to-back Best Musical Tony winners highlight the season. Coupled with the TUTS season, you also get back-to-back Best Revival winners. However, the season does lack more new shows, and presents a majority of shows in their second year touring.
- Overall grade: B-
St. Louis, MO: Fabulous Fox Theatre
- Announced: 9 March 2019
- Shows: Hello, Dolly!, Escape to Margaritaville, Dear Evan Hansen, Stomp, Wicked, Summer, Jersey Boys, Rent, The Band’s Visit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cats, Hamilton
- Thoughts: A good balance of new and old, fan-favorites and family shows. A few of the new, headliner shows may have been preferred, but the addition of Wicked and Hamilton help erase that issue.
- Overall grade: B+
Detroit, MI: Fisher Theater, Detroit Opera House, Music Hall
- Announced: 11 March 2019
- Shows: Cats, Come From Away, Hello, Dolly!, A Bronx Tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dear Evan Hansen, Summer
- Thoughts: A season that is comprised of shows in their second year of touring, the season lacks a headliner new show. However, 2017 Best Tony winners Dear Evan Hansen and Hello, Dolly! will be the big draw.
- Overall grade: C+
Boston, MA: Boston Opera House, Emerson Colonial Theatre
- Announced: 11 March 2019
- Shows: The Lion King, Come From Away, Cats, Mean Girls, Fiddler on the Roof, Jersey Boys, The Band’s Visit, Chicago, Anastasia, Summer
- Thoughts: A well-balanced season for both families and adults. The Lion King returns for the first time in five years, and Chicago return after an eight-year absence. Summer will be a nice addition as Ms Summers was from Boston.
- Overall grade: B
Appleton, WI: Fox Cities PAC
- Announced: 11 March 2019
- Shows: Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, Blue Man Group, Miss Saigon, Escape to Margaritaville, The Band’s Visit, Dear Evan Hansen
- Thoughts: A powerhouse of drama is on slate for the season. Fox Cities pulls the ultra-rare trifecta in presenting the last three Best Musical Tony winners.
- Overall grade: A-
Pittsburgh, PA: Benedum Center
- Announced: 11 March 2019
- Shows: The Lion King, Mean Girls, A Bronx Tale, Les Misérables, The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays, Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon, The Band’s Visit, Summer, Escape to Margaritaville.
- Thoughts: A good mix of first- and second-year tours along with fan favorites Les Misérables and The Lion King, which are both back after six-year hiatuses.
- Overall grade: B
Fayetteville, AR: Walton Arts Center
- Announced: 11 March 2019
- Shows: Escape to Margaritaville, The Play That Goes Wrong, A Christmas Story, Once On This Island, Anastasia, Fiddler on the Roof, The Band’s Visit, The Book of Mormon.
- Thoughts: One of a handful of venues presenting both 2018 Tony-winning musicals. The rest of the season is fairly strong and well-balanced.
- Overall grade: B+
Tempe, AZ: ASU Gammage
- Announced: 11 March 2019
- Shows: Miss Saigon, Anastasia, Blue Man Group, Summer, Fiddler on the Roof, Beautiful, Once On This Island, Mean Girls, Come From Away, The Lion King
- Thoughts: Possibly the major show of the season is the return of The Lion King, which hasn’t been in Tempe since 2013. Otherwise, a girl-powered season is ahead.
- Overall grade: B+
Buffalo, NY: Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
- Announced: 12 March 2019
- Shows: Mean Girls, Come From Away, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hello, Dolly!, The Band’s Visit, Anastasia, Escape to Margaritaville
- Thoughts: Buffalo is the unofficial launch for Mean Girls as four new shows come to Shea’s. Les Misérables is also returning for the first time since 2012.
- Overall grade: B
Providence, RI: PPAC
- Announced: 13 March 2019
- Shows: Escape to Margaritaville, Aladdin, Come From Away, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof, A Bronx Tale, Hello, Dolly!, Blue Man Group, Jesus Christ Superstar, The SpongeBob Musical, Dear Evan Hansen
- Thoughts: As per usual, the PPAC is the launching site of a tour. This year, it’s Escape to Margaritaville. The remainder of the season is comprised of mostly second-year touring shows, with Dear Evan Hansen being the anchor. Aladdin will make its Providence touring debut as well.
- Overall grade: B+
Des Moines, IA: Des Moines Civic Center
- Announced: 14 March 2019
- Shows: Mean Girls, White Christmas, Bandstand, Jesus Christ Superstar, Come From Away, Anastasia, My Fair Lady, The Band’s Visit, Wicked, The Book of Mormon
- Thoughts: Five new shows making up half of the season’s lineup, and strong second-year shows round things out.
- Overall grade: B+
Cincinnati, OH: Aronoff Center
- Announced: 14 March 2019
- Shows: Come From Away, Jersey Boys, Mean Girls, Hello, Dolly!, The Lion King, Les Misérables, Escape to Margaritaville, Anastasia, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Book of Mormon
- Thoughts: A season of new shows and a reunion of sorts for the many currently-running fan favorites, the Aronoff takes a breather after 2019’s Hamilton-Dear Evan Hansen engagements.
- Overall grade: B
Tampa, FL: Straz Center
- Announced: 15 March 2019
- Shows: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fiddler on the Roof, Once On This Island, Aladdin, Mean Girls, Summer, Jesus Christ Superstar, My Fair Lady, The SpongeBob Musical
- Thoughts: After a major 18/19 season, the Straz, although presenting five new shows, steps the hype machine back a bit with possibly only the premiers of Aladdin and Mean Girls being the season anchors.
- Overall grade: B
Charlotte, NC: Blumenthal Performing Arts
- Announced: 17 March 2019
- Shows: The New One, Les Misérables, Once On This Island, The Play That Goes Wrong, Jersey Boys, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Come From Away, My Fair Lady, Blue Man Group, Anastasia, The SpongeBob Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Frozen, Wicked
- Thoughts: With the inaugural season of Greensboro’s Tanger Center opening in the 20/21 season (announcement on 11 April), the Blumenthal’s season spills over into the 2021 as both venues are presenting Wicked.
- Overall grade: A-
Philadelphia, PA: Kimmel Center
- Announced: 18 March 2019
- Shows: Rent, Come From Away, Mean Girls, The SpongeBob Musical, The Band’s Visit, Hello, Dolly! Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress, Summer, Escape to Margaritaville
- Thoughts: The Kimmel’s season is anchored by the back-to-back Tony winners The Band’s Visit and Dear Evan Hansen. Les Misérables is back in Philly for the first time since 2013
- Overall grade: B+
Chicago, IL: Nederlander Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre
- Announced: 18 March 2019
- Shows: The Band’s Visit, White Christmas, The Phantom of the Opera, Mean Girls, Once On This Island, Summer, Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen
- Thoughts: A strong season possibly made even stronger by the possible fact that Chicago could be the final US stop for Phantom. Dear Evan Hansen is making a return trip following their recent success, and Frozen extends their season into 2021.
- Overall grade: A+
Durham, NC: DPAC
- Announced: 23 March 2019
- Shows: Aladdin, A Bronx Tale, White Christmas, Come From Away, Mean Girls, The Band’s Visit, Escape to Margaritaville, My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar
- Thoughts: An overall good season and possibly the most balanced season so far.
- Overall grade: B+
Greenville, SC: Peace Center
- Announced: 25 March 2019
- Shows: The Band’s Visit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Once On This Island, Beautiful, My Fair Lady, Aladdin, Les Misérables, Escape to Margaritaville, Summer, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar
- Thoughts: The Peace Center presents a good and mostly family-friendly season, and is another one of the few venues presenting both 2018 Tony-winning musicals in The Band’s Visit and Once On This Island.
- Overall grade: A
Washington, D.C.: Kennedy Center
- Announced: 28 March 2019
- Shows: Cats, Come From Away, My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hamilton, Once On This Island, To Kill A Mockingbird
- Thoughts: Through this season announcement, we got the news that To Kill A Mockingbird would not only be touring, but also launching at the Kennedy Center. Hamilton is also making its return visit almost exactly two years from its previous engagement.
- Overall grade: B+
San Francisco, CA: SHN
- Announced: 28 March 2019
- Shows: Summer, The SpongeBob Musical, The Last Ship, The Book of Mormon, The Band’s Visit, Mean Girls, My Fair Lady
- Thoughts: A surprisingly fewer-than-usual season comes to the Bay Area with The Band’s Visit being the main draw, in addition to Sting’s appearance in his musical, The Last Ship.
- Overall grade: B+
Dallas, TX: AT&T PAC
- Announced: 29 March 2019
- Shows: Once, Once On This Island, The Color Purple, Blue Man Group, The Band’s Visit, An American In Paris, Bandstand, The SpongeBob Musical
- Thoughts: The new partnership between the AT&T PAC and the Dallas Summer Musicals enters its first season, and, between the two venues, they pretty much cover all of your musical needs. They double up on Blue Man Group and The Band’s Visit. In fact, you could almost see a different show each week from November through July if you planned things out correctly.
- Overall grade: B+
Dallas, TX: Dallas Summer Musicals
- Announced: 29 March 2019
- Shows: Cats, Dear Evan Hansen, Blue Man Group, The Band’s Visit, Come From Away, Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, Frozen, Escape to Margaritaville
- Thoughts: See AT&T review above.
- Overall grade: A-
Notable Announcements:
- Several venues have already been hyping shows coming in the 20/21 season. These include:
- Come From Away: Columbus, OH
- Frozen: Oklahoma City, OK–Tempe, AZ
- Hamilton: Pittsburgh, PA–Greenville, SC–Tempe, AZ–Tucson, AZ–Minneapolis, MN–Los Angeles, CA–Hartford, CT
- The Lion King: Fort Worth, TX
- Wicked: Greenville, SC–West Palm Beach, FL
Future Season Announcements
Although we’re a few days into April, here are the current listings for announcements occurring in the remainder of the month:
| Date | Venue |
| Wednesday, 3 April | San Antonio, TX (Tobin Center) |
| Thursday, 4 April | Rochester, NY |
| Monday, 8 April |
|
| Wednesday, 10 April | Hershey, PA |
| Thursday, 11 April | Greensboro, NC (20/21 season) |
| Friday, 12 April | Albuquerque, NM |
| Saturday, 13 April | Palm Desert, CA |
| Monday, 15 April |
|
| Tuesday, 16 April |
|
| Monday, 22 April |
|
| Tuesday, 23 April | Utica, NY |
| Wednesday, 24 April | Jacksonville, FL |
*Also expect announcements from: Bismarck, ND—Cedar Falls, IA—Owensboro, KY—San Angelo, TX—Fort Wayne, IN—York, PA—Knoxville, TN
*We’re starting to move into Phase 2 of announcement season, which is comprised of mostly mid-major markets. This phase usually lasts until the Tony Awards in June. After that, we enter the final phase, which is mostly made up of small markets and some universities and colleges. This phase could last until September/October.
*Dates and venus are always subject to change. Be sure to stay updated with the season announcement schedule on the Calendar page.
Curtain Call
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