‘School of Rock,’ ‘Book of Mormon’ are coming to Dayton — and you won’t believe what else

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

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Updated April 6, 2018
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The touring shows the Victoria Theatre Association will be bringing to town for the new theater season that begins this fall have been announced.

>> PHOTOS: We can’t wait to see these Broadway shows here in Dayton

Here are the shows we can’t wait to see:

Premiere Health Broadway Series 2018-19 

SCHOOL OF ROCK — THE MUSICAL

Oct. 2-7, 2018, Schuster Center

SCHOOL OF ROCK – THE MUSICALOCTOBER 2-7, 2018 – SCHUSTER CENTERSCHOOL OF ROCK is based on the hit film. The musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie, and musical theater’s first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage. CONTRIBUTED

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The VTA’s 2018-19 Premiere Health Broadway Series kicks off Oct. 2 with “School of Rock — The Musical.” Based on the hit film, the musical features 14 new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber as well as all of the original songs from the movie. Musical theater’s first-ever kids’ rock band will play their instruments live on stage.

>> Where you can see School of Rock right now

FINDING NEVERLAND

Jan. 15-20, 2019, Schuster Center

FINDING NEVERLANDJANUARY 15 - 20, 2019 – SCHUSTER CENTERFINDING NEVERLAND tells the musical story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEREMY DANIEL

Credit: JEREMY DANIEL

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Credit: JEREMY DANIEL

Next up is “Finding Neverland,” which follows the life of playwright J.M. Barrie, author of “Peter Pan.”

>> The best concerts coming up in Dayton in 2018

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S THE KING AND I

Feb. 12-17, 2019, Schuster Center

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S THE KING AND IFEBRUARY 12-17, 2019 – SCHUSTER CENTERTwo worlds collide in this musical, based on the 2015 Tony Award®-winning Lincoln Center Theater production. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting to Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.” Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JEREMY DANIEL

Credit: JEREMY DANIEL

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Credit: JEREMY DANIEL

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most glorious musicals, “The King and I,” comes to the Schuster during Valentine’s Day season.

Set in 1860s Bangkok, it’s the story of the unconventional relationship between the King of Siam and the British schoolteacher who comes to instruct his wives and children.

The beloved songs from this Tony winner range from “Getting to Know You” and “I Whistle a Happy Tune” to “Shall We Dance” and “Hello Young Lovers.”

ON YOUR FEET!

March 5-10, 2019, Schuster Center

ON YOUR FEET!MARCH 5 - 10, 2019 – SCHUSTER CENTERFrom their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. ON YOUR FEET! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and an original book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), ON YOUR FEET! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century – and one of the most inspiring stories in music. CONTRIBUTED

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Emilio and Gloria Estefan are the focus of “On Your Feet!,” the inspiring story of the talented Cuban couple who came to America, faced adversity and managed to break barriers and reach the top of the pop music world.

LES MISÉRABLES 

April 2-7, 2019, Schuster Center

LES MISÉRABLESAPRIL 2-7, 2019 – SCHUSTER CENTERCameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award®-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, direct from an acclaimed two-and-a-half-year return to Broadway. Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an unforgettable story of heartbreak, passion, and the resilience of the human spirit. Featuring the beloved songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” and many more, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. With its new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, this new production has left both audiences and critics awestruck. CONTRIBUTED

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A new production of the celebrated musical “Les Misérables” featuing new staging and scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo will be at the Schuster Center. Classic songs from the Tony winning musical include “I Dreamed a Dream, “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home” and “One Day More.”

WAITRESS

June 25-30, 2019, Schuster Center

WAITRESSJUNE 25 - 30, 2019 – SCHUSTER CENTERInspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life. This music celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie and contains mature content. CONTRIBUTED

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The final treat of the Broadway series is “Waitress,” the story of a small-town waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of escaping her loveless marriage and finding a happier life. The musical is based on the popular film.

Projects Unlimited Star Attractions 2018-19 

THE WIZARD OF OZ

Oct. 23-25, 2018, Schuster Center

THE WIZARD OF OZOCTOBER 23 - 25, 2018 – SCHUSTER CENTERThere truly is no place like home as the greatest family musical of all time, the wonderful WIZARD OF OZ, twists its way into Dayton. The entire family will be captivated as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow in this lavish production, featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, THE WIZARD OF OZ will blow you away from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you to a dazzling Oz, complete with munchkins and flying monkeys. CONTRIBUTED

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Catch up with Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion in this lavish production, featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. Based on the 1939 MGM film, this production includes a tornado touchdown, munchkins and flying monkeys.

CHICAGO

Feb. 1-2, 2019, Schuster Center

CHICAGOFEBRUARY 1 & 2, 2019 – SCHUSTER CENTERThis triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, thousands of standing ovations and now is the No. 1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history. CHICAGO is a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz and one show-stopping song and dance number after another. CONTRIBUTED

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The Tony and Grammy winner and the longest running American musical on Broadway is headed back to town. The classic tale features show-stopping song and dance numbers.

THE BOOK OF MORMON

May 21-26, 2019, Schuster Center

THE BOOK OF MORMONMAY 21 - 26, 2019 – SCHUSTER CENTERThe nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JULIETA CERVANTES

Credit: JULIETA CERVANTES

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Credit: JULIETA CERVANTES

This hilarious Tony-winning musical comedy returns. The story follows the misadventures of a pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world.

>> The theater shows you must see in March

OTHER SHOWS JUST ANNOUNCED

Thanks to the Morris Furniture Company Family Series, the kids can look forward to live entertainment as well.

That schedule includes “The Ugly Duckling” (Nov. 10); “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” (Nov. 16-17); “The Phantom Tollbooth” (Feb. 2, 2019); “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (Feb. 23, 2019); “Diary of a Worm, A Spider & A Fly” (March 23, 2019) and “Magic School Bus Live: Lost in the Solar System” (April 27, 2019).

Also announced is the line-up for the popular National Geographic Live series. The speakers will include former NASA chief scientist Ellen Stone on Feb. 3-4; big wall climber Mark Synnott on March 10-11 and Arctic photographer Florian Schulz on April 14-15. The series takes place at the Victoria Theatre.

TICKETS

Season tickets are available now. Single-show ticket information will be available at a later time. For ticket information, visit (937) 228-3630 or ticketcenterstage.com.

>> How a downtown corner went from a department store to the Schuster Center

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About the Author

Meredith Moss has been writing for the Dayton Daily News for decades. She writes "On the Arts” features and the “Make a Difference” column focusing on non-profits. She volunteers and has received the YWCA's Woman of Influence' award and the Humanitarian award from the National Conference of Community and Justice. Email: Meredith.Moss@coxinc.com