The Overture Center for the Arts is gearing up for its biggest season yet as it brings the largest number of Broadway acts it has ever featured.
Seven Broadway shows are scheduled to perform this upcoming 2015-16 season at the Overture, including the Lion King, Disney’s Newsies and Kinky Boots.
Each of the seven shows has a week-long engagement with the exception of one four-week engagement, bringing the total number of Broadway performances to 88 for the season, Overture spokesperson Robert Chappell said.
“Typically in a regular season we get five Broadway acts for about 48 total Broadway performances, but this season the amount of Broadway performances has almost doubled,” he said.
Madison’s thriving local theater and arts scene, as well as its engaged community, is one of the main reasons Broadway’s troupes make a point to stop in Madison on their tours, Chappell said.
The Overture Center’s partnership with Broadway Across America helps schedules Broadway shows with the center and have had high success rates in the past, he said.
The Overture also had a bit of luck on its side for the upcoming season, which allowed the seven Broadway performances to match up perfectly with its busy schedule, Chappell said
Ten other nonprofits share the Overture Center, including the Madison Ballet and the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Chappell said. Each of these nonprofits have various scheduled performances in place and coincidentally their schedules fit the touring dates for the Broadway shows.
Chappell said the Overture is expecting a busy season and high ticket sales.