The American Theatre Guild has become the new presenter of the Ameren Illinois Broadway In Peoria Series at the Peoria Civic Center Theater beginning with the 2020-2021 season.
“We are excited to bring the performing arts and family programming to the Peoria Civic Center Theater,” said Amy Hamm, Executive Director of The American Theatre Guild. “The interest and enthusiasm for Broadway in Peoria is clear, and we look forward to bringing a variety of high-quality productions that appeal to all ages.”
This 2020-21 season includes An Officer and a Gentleman, Hairspray and the rescheduled Blue Man Group and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. The season will also include Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom as a Season Add-On.
“We have a successful and established Broadway Series, but wanted to take it to a new level,” said Rik Edgar, General Manager of the Peoria Civic Center Theater. “When we first met with The American Theatre Guild, it was obvious that they were the right choice to achieve that goal. Not only do they have huge success presenting Broadway, we were impressed by their mission to bring arts to youth in communities they serve. Their commitment to enhance the arts, entertainment and education across Peoria and surrounding areas is exactly what we are hoping to accomplish.”
The 2020-21 Ameren Illinois Broadway In Peoria Series includes the following national touring productions:
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN — January 25-26, 2021
An Officer and a Gentleman, based on the Academy® Award-winning starring Richard Gere, is a breathtaking production that celebrates triumph over adversity and includes one of the most iconic and romantic endings ever portrayed on screen. Featuring the Grammy Award® winning, #1 hit single ‘Up Where We Belong’, and a score based on the 1980’s catalogue of music that gave voice to a generation, the live stage production is a new adaptation by multiple Tony Awards® nominee Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Everyday Rapture), based on the original screenplay by Douglas Day Stewart. The musical is directed by Scanlan with choreography by Patricia Wilcox (Motown, A Night with Janis Joplin).
Zack Mayo’s got smarts and a body built for US Navy pilot boot camp, but he also has too much swagger… until he meets a drill sergeant who’s determined to drill his arrogance out of him. Zack finds comfort in the arms of a local factory girl. But it isn’t until tragedy befalls a fellow candidate that Zack learns the importance of love and friendship, and finds the courage to be his best self and win the heart of the woman he loves. A sweeping romance that lifts you up where you belong!
BLUE MAN GROUP — March 17-18, 2021
More than 35 million people around the world have experienced the smash hit phenomenon that is Blue Man Group and now it’s your turn! Blue Man Group returns to Peoria for a limited engagement on their new North American tour. It’s everything you know and love about Blue Man Group—signature drumming, colorful moments of creativity and quirky comedy—the men are still blue but the rest is all new! Featuring pulsing, original music, custom-made instruments, surprise audience interaction and hilarious absurdity, join the Blue Men in a joyful experience that unites audiences of all ages.
BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical — June 15-16, 2021
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.
Featuring a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song, Beautiful has a book by and Tony® Award-nominee and Academy® Award-nominated writer Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni, choreography by Josh Prince, and took home two 2014 Tony Awards® and a 2015 Grammy Award®.
HAIRSPRAY — July 6-7, 2021
You Can’t Stop the Beat! Hairspray, Broadway’s Tony® Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon that inspired the blockbuster film and live television event, is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?
Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the 60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore,” “It Takes Two,” and incorporating “Ladies Choice” from the musical film adaption, Hairspray is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times).
This all-new touring production will reunite Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell to bring Hairspray to a new generation of theater audiences. Don’t miss this “exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted musical comedy” (The New Yorker).
Season Add-on
TURNING 15 ON THE ROAD TO FREEDOM — February 17, 2021
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, a new musical filled with traditional and original Gospel and Freedom songs, tells the moving and inspiring true story of Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest person to walk all the way from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, on the Voting Rights March in 1965. Jailed nine times before her 15th birthday, Lynda and her friends and neighbors fought alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to secure the right to vote for African Americans. Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club, High Art, Psych), adapted the award-winning memoir by Lynda Blackmon Lowery (Dial Press, 2016) for the stage. Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom is directed by Fracaswell Hyman and the music director is Joshuah Brian Campbell. Produced by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, Miranda Barry, Amy Sprecher, Voza Rivers and the New Heritage Theatre Group.
Recommended for ages 10 and up. Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom tells the true story of the sometimes brutal period of Civil Rights history in the United States. There is video of actual events and stylized dramatizations. Some of this content might not be appropriate for children under 10.
Season renewals and new season memberships are available at BroadwayInPeoria.com by emailing PatronServices@ATGuild.org, via live chat on our website or by calling 800.776.7469.
Season tickets start at $165 for the four show package including An Officer and a Gentleman, Blue Man Group, Beautiful — The Carole King Musical and Hairpray. Season Members receive the best seats at locked-in prices before tickets go on sale to the public, as well as priority access to tickets, premium seating, easy exchanges, lost ticket insurance and Swap A Show privileges.
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