Patrons of the Martin Center will soon gasp and clap at the reveal of the shows from the Great White Way coming to Johnson City.
On Friday, August 25, the ETSU Martin Center will host their 2024 Spring Broadway Reveal at the Grand Hall. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and the program starts at 8:00 p.m.
The lineup includes announcements of the shows, interviews and lectures from Kristin Stulz Pressley, aka Dr. Broadway, a special announcement and a surprise performance from a Broadway performer.
The tickets cost $30 not including taxes and fees. Friends of the Martin Center or Season Ticket Holders can upgrade their tickets to the VIP event, but they must call the Martin Center Box Office. Concessions will be available. The dress code is business casual.
The team working on the Broadway Reveal consists of Martin Center team members, volunteers, faculty, students and volunteers.
Jennifer Clements, the Executive Director of the Martin Center, stated that the shows have range and broad appeal.
“Everyone is going to find a show they are going to be excited to enjoy,” said Clements. “Something for everyone, and it appeals to many different audiences.”
Pressley also highlighted that this season at the Martin Center has a show for everyone.
“Something for every member of the family,” said Pressley, “Great variety of shows.”
The process of figuring out the shows consisted of many factors including routing, scheduling, dates, appeal to audience and similarity. In the beginning, there were about 10 to 15 shows that dwindled down to four. The Martin Center emphasized bringing the best of Broadway to the area.
“Great quality of traveling quality,” said Clements.
Pressley is a musical theatre historian who specializes in educating theatergoers in the history of theatre. She emphasizes the importance of going and enjoying the experience of a show all across the southeast.
Pressley emphasized the importance of theatre and Broadway to people, especially in the area. She stated that the arts are a way to be entertained but also to escape.
“The Southeast culture that loves artistic and uses that art of escapism or process the world around us,” said Pressley. “It brings attention away from the tragedy.”
When diving into factoids and trivia about Broadway shows, she goes deeper than just common knowledge. Pressley described how show facts help you understand what you are seeing and where it came from. She emphasizes the importance of the composer, lyricist, story, changes to the show and the careers it launched.
“I look into where the ideas come from,” said Pressley, “The little snippets.”
The advice Pressley gave to patrons going to see Broadway shows is to research and be prepared. “Do a little digging,” said Pressley. She emphasized that once you know what the show is about and the history behind it, it has a completely different understanding.
If you are interested in new Broadway season tickets, join the Martin Center email list here for updates.
Current season ticket renewals will begin Aug. 28. Broadway season ticket holders will receive further renewal information via email.
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