Broadway Theatre League (BTL) today announced its 2013-14 season, which includes two tech shows, bringing as much as $3 million to Oneida County and the surrounding region. A tech shows marks the first time the cast, crew, and set for a Broadway touring production are together in one place. This requires the cast and crew of the show to be in Utica for several weeks creating a significant economic boost for local businesses– between $1.2 and $1.5 million for each tech show.
The two tech shows Broadway Theatre League has secured for its new season include We Will Rock You and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. These two shows will also make their United States premiers right here in Utica at the Stanley Theatre.
In addition to We Will Rock You and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, BTL has brought three other tech shows to Utica since September of 2011, Flashdance, American Idiot, and Young Frankenstein.
The complete 2013-14 Broadway Theatre League season lineup includes:
• We Will Rock You, October 11 &12, 2013;
• Memphis, January 21, 22, and 23, 2014;
• The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, February 12 &13, 2014;
• Peter and the Starcatcher, March 4 & 5, 2014;
• Bring It On, The Musical, March 25 & 26, 2014; and
• Million Dollar Quartet, June 10 & 11, 2014.
In addition to bringing a fabulous new season to its subscribers in 2013-14, Broadway Theatre League has created a new, more affordable seating section for single ticket buyers. The “Cloud Club” seating program is aimed at providing more affordable seating for interested patrons. The lowest single-priced ticket for a Broadway Theatre League presentation in 2013-14 is $39.75. However, with the addition of “Cloud Club” seating, a patron can purchase a single seat in the last two rows of the theatre balcony for only $24.75 including all fees. This will allow a family of four to see a live BTL performance for less than $100.
“It is part of BTL’s mission to bring its shows to any and all members of the community that would like to attend,” said Executive Director of Broadway Theatre League John Fehlner. “Our new ‘Cloud Club’ seating program helps us reach a wider audience by creating a more affordable seating level,” he continued.
In an effort to continue to reach out to its younger audience, in 2013-14 BTL will expand its successful Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) introduced a year ago. This year, BTL enrolled 36 students from 24 area schools into the program.
“We believe we have met our goal this year engaging area teens and encouraging their interest in local theatre,” said Fehlner. “Therefore, next year, BTL will offer the program to students in 42 area schools, nearly doubling the size of the program,” he added.
BTL will again choose two students from each of the area school districts who will be given 2013-14 BTL season tickets. In exchange for this subscription, students are required to post their thoughts about each show on Facebook and/or Twitter and submit a short critique of each show to BTL. Details on applying for YAP for the 2013-14 season will be made public in a few weeks.
Current subscribers can renew their season subscription now by calling the Broadway Theatre League office at (315) 724-7196. New subscribers may officially sign-up beginning June 1.
