Playhouse Square announces 'A Beautiful Noise,' 'Life of Pi,' 'Kimberly Akimbo' on the way

Apr. 17—For the first time in four years, Playhouse Square unveiled its next KeyBank Broadway series to a crowd.

"We're thrilled to be able to host a live audience for this event again," said Playhouse Square President and CEO Craig Hassall in a news release. "The energy of the crowd reacting to the show titles as they are unveiled is something that cannot be replicated."

Announced April 16 at the downtown Cleveland performing-arts complex, the seven-show 2024-2025 KeyBank Broadway Series includes a "stunning display of puppetry, a new take on the greatest love story ever told and the 2023 Tony Award winners for Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical," the release states.

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The shows, in chronological order, are "A Beautiful Noise," "Some Like It Hot," "Life of Pi," "Parade," "& Juliet," "Shucked" and "Kimberly Akimbo."

Several of the titles received accolades at the 2023 Tony Awards, the release notes. "Kimberly Akimbo" was the most celebrated show of the season, with eight Tony nominations and five wins, including Best Musical. Others included "Parade" (Best Musical Revival and Best Direction of a Musical), "Life of Pi" (Best Scenic Design of a Play, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design), "Shucked" (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical) and "Some Like It Hot" (Best Orchestrations, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design).

"Our season ticket holders are the reason we're able to book these sought-after titles so early on in their tours," Hassall adds in the release. "Their loyalty and enthusiasm are critical to our ability to build a season like this, which makes Cleveland a premier destination for Broadway."

Season tickets for the 2024-2025 KeyBank Broadway Series at Playhouse Square are available at 216-640-8800 or playhousesquare.org/broadway. Plans range from $154 tp $758 per seat, with monthly payment plans available.

Here's a deeper look at the season, with descriptions courtesy of Playhouse Square:

'A Beautiful Noise' — Oct. 8 through 27 — ABeautifulNoisetheMusical.com

Says Playhouse Square:

"Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, 'A Beautiful Noise' is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like 'America,' 'Forever in Blue Jeans' and 'Sweet Caroline,' an induction into the Songwriters and Rock & Roll halls of fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis (Presley), Neil Diamond's story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.

"Like 'Jersey Boys' and 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' before it, 'A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical' is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir that tells the untold true story of how America's greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career."

'Some Like It Hot' — Nov. 5 through 24 — SomeLikeItHotMusical.com

Says Playhouse Square:

"in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, 'Some Like It Hot' is the 'glorious, big, high-kicking' (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.

"And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, 'Some Like It Hot' won more theater awards than any show this season and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it 'a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theater.'"

'Life of Pi' — Jan. 7 through 26 — LifeofPiBway.com

Says Playhouse Square:

"Based on the novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, 'Life of Pi' is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation and 'gives new life to Broadway' ('Today").

"After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions — a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger.

"Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, 'Life of Pi' creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy."

'Parade' — Feb. 4 through 23 — ParadeBroadway.com

Says Playhouse Square:

"Winner of the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, 'Parade' has been proclaimed as 'a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years' (Deadline).

"Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, 'Parade' reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.

"'Parade' has received overwhelming acclaim since its debut. The New York Times said, 'This revival, filled with deft flourishes by director Michael Arden, recalls an era of big casts, big stories, and big talent — a time when musicals actually felt like events.' Entertainment Weekly called 'Parade' 'the most gorgeous production on Broadway.' Time Out New York stated that '"Parade" will echo for a long time to come. See it before the parade passes by.'

"'Parade' is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony winner, Pulitzer Prize winner and Academy Award winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award-winning legend Harold Prince."

'& Juliet' — March 4 through 23 — AndJulietBroadway.com

Says Playhouse Square:

"Created by the Emmy-winning writer from 'Schitt's Creek,' this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. '& Juliet' asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn't end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love — her way.

"Juliet's new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including 'Since U Been Gone‚' 'Roar,' 'Baby One More Time,' 'Larger Than Life‚' 'That's The Way It Is' and 'Can't Stop the Feeling! ' — all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more No. 1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there's life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it."

'Shucked' — April 22, 2025 through May 11, 2025 — ShuckedMusical.com

Says Playhouse Square:

"'Shucked' is the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls 'flat out hilarious!' And nobody knows funny like economists. Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn ('Tootsie'), a score by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves' 'Follow Your Arrow') and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien ('Hairspray'), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater.

'Kimberly Akimbo' — July 15, 2025 through Aug. 3, 2025 — KimberlyAkimboTheMusical.com

Says Playhouse Square;

"A new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), 'Kimberly Akimbo' is the winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical. It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire ('Shrek'), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori ('Fun Home'), choreography by Danny Mefford ('Dear Evan Hansen') and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone.

"Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this 'howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show' (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush ... and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure."