Capital District residents now have another chance to see renowned Broadway musical performances locally.
The Palace Theatre on Tuesday, Aug. 13, announced a new Broadway Series for the 2013-14 season, which includes three one-night performances of popular music driven productions. The fist performance will be “Midtown Men” on Thursday, Oct. 3, followed by the punk rock musical “American Idiot” on Friday, Feb. 14, and then “Million Dollar Quartet” on Saturday, June 14.
Holly Brown, executive director of Palace Theatre, said the downtown Albany performing arts center hasn’t showcased a Broadway Series over the past few years. Brown said the theater is excited to “enhance” its upcoming season.
“We are looking to diversify our programming as much as we can and this was great opportunity to bring some terrific shows in,” Brown said. “It is just a great way to bring more shows, which is always our goal here, to keep the Palace as busy as possible and bring something in that is mixing things up a little bit.”
The shows selected for the series were based on the venue’s “core demographic,” Brown said.
“They are all heavily music based and we do a lot of music events at the Palace and we thought they would tie in well with the audience,” she said.
For patrons interested in taking in all three shows, there is a series discount package.
“This is the first time we have offered something like this,” Brown continued. “It is really just to give people the opportunity to see these great shows as a discount. Right now, if you want to get the best seats at the best prices, then this a good way to do that.”
The series package offers admission to the three performances at 20 percent off the price of purchasing tickets individually for each show, and packages start at $97. They also include a voucher for Angelo’s 677 Prime.
“It is a couple nice things we wanted to throw in,” Brown said. “Whether you buy the package or the single tickets, I think all three shows are strong. They have gotten great reviews before.”
“Midtown Men” reunites four stars from the original Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys,” Tony award winning Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony award nominee J. Robert Spencer. The show is a “one-of-a-kind concert experience” celebrating music that defined the ‘60s.
“American Idiot” is based on the pop-punk band Green Day’s album of the same name. The musical tells the story of three lifelong friends that are forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.
“Million Dollar Quartet” is a Tony award winning Broadway musical that is inspired by the true story of the famed recording session in which Sam Phillips, known as the “Father of rock n’ roll,” brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
Brown said the theater’s goal is to continue drawing people to downtown Albany to spur its growth and help surrounding businesses.
“This region is lucky to have a venue like this that so much love and resources went into renovating the inside of the theater,” she said. “It is just a spectacular place that a lot of people have called home for a long time.”
Packages can be purchased by calling 465-4663, or by visiting the Palace Theatre Box Office, which is located at 19 Clinton Ave. in Albany. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. After Labor Day, it’s also open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Broadway Series packages became available for purchase on Monday, Aug. 12, and single tickets for “Midtown Men” will be available starting Monday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m.
For the Palace Theatre’s event calendar and other information, visit PalaceAlbany.com.