Broadway returns to Lutcher Theater in 2021-2022 season

The Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts 2021-2022 season ticket sales are ongoing. They announced spotlight packages of four or more shows are on sale now.

“We’re very excited reopening,” said Leah Guillotte-Stark, the Lutcher Theater marketing manager. “It’s been almost two years since we’ve had shows.”

The pandemic forced them to cancel the second half of the season in 2020 and the entire 2020-2021 season.

The new season kicks off in October with Asleep at the Wheel.

“It’s part of their 50th anniversary tour,” said Guillotte-Stark. It is a little later launch this year, October 16th.

“Performance art is coming back thankfully, but it’s coming back slowly. Broadway is moving towards a massive undertaking. Once everything shuts down it takes a minute to bring it back,” said Guillotte-Stark.

“Texas is getting back to normal,” she said. “But that’s not the same with each state. We think Orange is amazing, but it can’t support an entire tour.” It takes time to reschedule entire tours after being shut down for over a year.

Referring to the big touring companies, “We’re fortunate they are back on the road and touring again.” She said to the art of scheduling a season is “a ballet of sorts” that theater director Lynae Sanford is adept at dancing.

Normally they travel to New York to view some of the potential shows, but the last time was in January 2020 for the Arts conference just before the world shut down. Guillotte-Stark said they previewed one of the new shows this season, “An Officer and a Gentleman.”

When Broadway shut down, the cast quarantined together to keep things going and stay in practice, so they were one of the shows ready to hit the ground running when things opened back up.

“They rehearsed, they perfected their show and now…they are ready to go on tour, which is kind of amazing and brilliant that they did that.”

The production is based on the movie of the same name starring Richard Gere but has been made into a musical.

“They have some great iconic 80s music.”

Several other Broadway musicals are also slated for this year including “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Hairspray” and “South Pacific.”

“’Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is one we’re really excited about. It’s a great family show,” she said. “It’s got great colors and movement and some great songs from the movie.”

A Ladies Night Out show will be in May with “Waitress.” “It’s an all-female creative team, which is unique to the show.”

The last show of the season will be “Beautiful-The Carol King Musical”

“If you came up in the 60s you recognize Carol King and all of her iconic music,” said Guillotte-Stark. “She wrote the music of a generation.”

Guillotte-Stark said “Beautiful”, and “Fiddler on the Roof” were part of the cancelled season last year and luckily, they were able to get them scheduled for this year. She expects them to be extremely popular and tickets sales to be brisk. She also expects the family shows to see a filled auditorium.

Titles of Lutcher Incredible Kids events will be released in August. They usually have four daytime shows for elementary and middle school field trips. “Macbeth” will be presented for High School students this year.

"There are so many fantastic shows in this season's lineup, buy now and get the benefits of being a season ticket holder, before tickets go on sale to the public," she encouraged.

Visit lutcher.org to purchase Spotlight Packages or call the Lutcher Theater Box Office at 409-886-5535. Single tickets for all shows go on sale Monday, Aug. 16 at 8:30 a.m. 

Tickets vary by show, seat location, when you buy, etc. but on average, they range from $35 in the balcony for some music shows up to $85 in the Orchestra for some Broadway shows.

“There is not a bad seat in the Lutcher,” she said.

Here is the line-up, dates and times for the 2021-2022 season:

Asleep at the Wheel

Saturday, October 16, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.

With 10 Grammy® Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Music Association, 31 albums and over 20 singles on the country charts, Asleep at the Wheel has sustained a thriving career and entertained fans for more than five decades.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Sunday, November 21, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the stage in a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family.

Hairspray

Thursday, December 9, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.

“Hairspray,” Broadway’s Tony® Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon that inspired the blockbuster film and live television event, is back on tour.

CeCe Winans

Saturday, January 22, 2022 – 7:30 p.m.

With a staggering 12 Grammy® Awards, 20 Dove Awards, and 7 Stellar Awards, CeCe Winans is one of the most accomplished and celebrated female gospel artists of all time.

Fiddler on the Roof

Sunday, March 6, 2022 – 7:00 p.m.

Tony®-winning director Bartlett Sher brings his fresh take on a beloved masterpiece to life as Fiddler on The Roof begins a North American tour direct from Broadway. Featuring the Broadway classics “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “To Life,” Fiddler on The Roof will introduce a new generation to this uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy! To love! To life!

An Officer and A Gentleman

Sunday, March 27, 2022 – 7:00 p.m.

This new musical is a sweeping romance based on the Oscar®-winning film starring Richard Gere.

*Show contains adult language and adult content.

South Pacific

Sunday, April 10, 2022 – 7:00 p.m.

Love transcends the harsh realities of war and prejudice in this sweeping Pulitzer Prize-winning tale centered around two unlikely love affairs

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Monday, April 18, 2022 – 7:30 p.m.

It's the perfect recipe for a delectable treat: songs from the original film, including "Pure Imagination," "The Candy Man," and "I've Got a Golden Ticket," alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters of Hairspray.

Waitress

Thursday, May 5, 2022 – 7:30 p.m.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town, an uplifting celebration of friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

*Show contains adult language and adult content.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 – 7:30 p.m.

The Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom.