SALT LAKE CITY — Utah theater lovers, rejoice: The “10-dollar Founding Father without a father” is coming back.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” will return to Salt Lake City for a monthlong run in December, the Eccles Theater announced Monday.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical first took Utah by storm in 2018. Tickets for all shows that year sold out within four hours, and more than 2,000 high school students did extra schoolwork for a shot to see one of the top-grossing Broadway musicals of all time.
But “Hamilton” isn’t the only big draw in the upcoming Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles season. The 2020-21 lineup also includes “Mean Girls,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and, in a special add-on for season ticket holders, “Les Miserables.”
“We are thrilled that our 30th anniversary … season features Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” — one of the most powerful and popular plays on Broadway in decades — four brand-new Broadway hits, two brilliant revivals and the return of ‘Hamilton,’” Bruce Granath, Broadway Across America VP, said in a news release. “And, of course, it is fitting that this season celebrates ‘Les Miserables.’ Thirty years after making its Salt Lake City debut on our very first season, ‘Les Miz’ is still Utah’s favorite musical.”
Season ticket holders can renew online by visiting broadway-at-the-eccles.com, calling 801-355-5502 or visiting the season ticket box office at 610 E. South Temple. Those interested in becoming season ticket holders can join the 2020-21 waitlist at broadway-at-the-eccles.com.
Those on the waitlist will receive priority information when season tickets go on sale to the public in mid-April, according to the news release. Subscribers can then purchase tickets to the two add-ons — “Les Miserables” and “Chicago” once they renew their season tickets.
Below is the full schedule for the upcoming season.
‘Mean Girls’ — Aug. 25-30
“Mean Girls” fans won’t have to wait until Oct. 3 to watch Cady navigate the social angst of high school and take down Regina George and the Plastics. Based on Tina Fey’s 2004 film, “Mean Girls” the musical made its Broadway debut in 2018. Fey wrote the book for the musical. Her husband, Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Scmidt”), was the composer. Fey also recently announced that a film adaptation of the Tony-nominated musical is being produced. Isn’t that so fetch?
‘The Band’s Visit’ — Sept. 22-27
Another new Broadway musical, “The Band’s Visit,” is making its way to the Eccles. The musical — which made its Broadway debut in 2017 and won 10 Tony Awards — follows an Egyptian police band that accidentally gets sent to a remote village in the middle of the Israeli desert. With no bus until morning and no hotel in sight, the travelers are taken in by the locals and their lives become “intertwined in the most unexpected ways,” according to a news release. The musical has been praised for its authentic representation of Israel and its cast of Middle Eastern and Israeli actors.
Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ — Nov. 17-22
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” the musical brings Willy Wonka, candy-obsessed Charlie Bucket and the Great Glass Elevator to life. The musical features beloved songs from the 1971 film like “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man” as well as new music from the songwriters behind “Hairspray.” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” made its Broadway debut in 2017.
‘Hamilton’ — Dec. 15-Jan. 17, 2021
It all started with a vacation in Mexico. While reading Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who saw similarities in his own life story, became inspired to create music based on the Founding Father. What followed is a cultural phenomenon — a 11-time Tony Award-winning musical that blends hip-hop and traditional showtunes, transforms cabinet arguments into rap battles and has increased youths’ interest in American history.
‘Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations’ — Feb. 2-7, 2021
One of the newest musicals on Broadway, “Ain’t Too Proud” follows the Temptations’ journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — using songs like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” to help tell the story. The musical, which debuted on Broadway in March 2019, won the 2019 Tony Award for best choreography.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ — March 30-April 4, 2021
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” has now been around for 50 years. The rock opera inspired a live television concert in 2018 with John Legend in the role of Jesus Christ and Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene. In celebration of the 50-year milestone, a new production, first staged a few years ago, comes to the Eccles Theater. The revival pays tribute to the 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while “creating a modern, theatrical world,” according to a news release.
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ — Aug. 3-8, 2021
Based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1960 novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” became a Broadway star in 2018. The play brings the well known story of Scout, Atticus Finch and Boo Radley to life, infusing a story that tackles racial inequality with warmth and humor.
Add-on engagements:
‘Chicago’ — Oct. 8-11
It’s the second longest-running show on Broadway — behind only “The Phantom of the Opera.” Set in the jazz age of Chicago, the musical uses tunes like “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle” to tell the story of two rival vaudeville performers who are in jail for murder. The musical is based on a 1926 satirical play that covers two unrelated 1924 court cases involving two women.
‘Les Miserables’ — May 4-16, 2021
The smash hit musical that gave us songs like “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home” and “One Day More” is coming to the Eccles. One of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history, “Les Miserables” has been reimagined with scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, according to a news release.
