Broadway in Akron lineup features 4 new shows at E.J. Thomas Hall including 'Mean Girls'

Playhouse Square is bringing four new shows to E.J. Thomas Hall for the 2023-2024 Broadway in Akron Series, including a movie-inspired play full of mystery and mayhem, two musicals based on hit movies familiar to both Gen X and Millennials alike, and the story behind a pop music icon.

Here is everything you need to know about each show as well as information on how to get tickets and season ticket options.

'Pretty Woman: The Musical' running Oct. 17-18

"Pretty Woman: The Musical" will open next season Oct. 17-18, based on the beloved romantic comedy from 1990 that starred Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The musical, which made its Northeast Ohio premiere at Cleveland's Playhouse Square in March 2022, features an original score by Bryan Williams and Jim Vallance and a book by the film's director Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton.

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David Greene, senior vice president of programming for Playhouse Square, said Monday that the Akron season's theme is nostalgia that crosses over generations. With "Pretty Woman," primarily Gen X'ers are expected to feel nostalgia for the iconic love story between Vivian and Edward.

"It's a beloved title," Greene said. "It was also a show that was very well received here in Cleveland so we thought it would make sense to bring it to Akron as well."

'Mean Girls' running Nov. 13-14

Next up will be "Mean Girls" Nov. 13-14, the hit musical written by Tina Fey and her husband, composer Jeff Richmond, who's a Garrettsville native. It's adapted from the hilarious 2004 film by Fey.

Millennials will likely have the most nostalgia for the 2004 film, Greene said. "Mean Girls" follows new student Cady Heron as she navigates the high school clique led by the ruthless Regina George in suburban Illinois.

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"This is still one of the most popular and fun titles on the road. We were sold out here in Cleveland" when "Mean Girls" played in late 2019 at Playhouse Square, Greene said.

The announcement for the Akron run of the show comes as fans are gearing up for the upcoming movie musical version of "Mean Girls" by Paramount+, whose cast began production in early March. Fey, who wrote the latest screenplay, is expected to return to the big screen as Ms. Norbury.

'The Cher Show' running Jan. 30-31, 2024

Plenty of Baby Boomer nostalgia is expected for "The Cher Show," running in Akron Jan. 30-31, 2024.

The musical has three actresses playing the icon: young Cher who's just getting started, pop star Cher and icon Cher later in her career.

The biographic show focuses on Sonny and Cher's relationship, from their "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" TV show through their breakup, as well as the superstar's relationship with musician Gregg Allman and others.

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To top things off, Cher's famous costumes and headdresses are designed by couture designer Bob Mackey in a stage show full of '60s and '70s spectacle.

"This is such a wild show," Greene said. "It's what you would expect if you were to go to a Cher concert."

'Clue' running April 23-25, 2024

"Clue," the tongue-in-cheek murder mystery based on the classic Hasbro board game and the cult 1985 Paramount movie, will be a first for Broadway in Akron.

"This'll be the first play that we've presented on the Broadway series in Akron," Greene said. "It's a hilarious show."

Plays including "To Kill a Mockingbird," "August Osage County" and "The Humans" have been well received by Broadway series audiences in the past at Playhouse Square, Green said.

"It's something different for the audiences to challenge them in a different way," he said.

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"Clue," which played at Cleveland Play House in 2020 in partnership with Work Light Productions, had ongoing development by playwright Sandy Rustin in Cleveland in preparation for its national tour.

Greene expects that Gen X'ers will feel the most nostalgia from the "Clue" title, stemming from the 1985 film. When it plays in Akron next year, it will also be the 75th anniversary of the board game.

Tickets for Broadway in Akron

Season tickets for Broadway in Akron cost from $60 to $325. The lowest-priced packages, which cost $40 each or $10 per show since 2015-2016, now cost $60 per subscription, or $15 per show.

Beginning Wednesday, current season ticket holders can renew online at playhousesquare.org/akron or by calling Playhouse Square at 216-640-8800 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Renewal information will arrive by mail.

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Subscribers can also turn in their renewals to a drop box at the April 10 and 11 performances of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at E.J. Thomas Hall.

New subscribers also may purchase the Broadway in Akron series online at playhousesquare.org/akron or by phone at 216-640-8800.

Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Broadway in Akron: 'Mean Girls' among new shows coming to E.J. Thomas