B.B. Mann, Artis-Naples announce Broadway seasons: Michael Jackson, Les Miz and more
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Love musicals? Then you're in luck. Some of the biggest shows on the planet are heading to Southwest Florida.
"Jersey Boys." "Come From Away." "MJ The Musical." "Les Misèrables." "Mamma Mia!" They're all part of the just-announced Broadway seasons at Artis―Naples and Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.
"It's a great mix," says B.B. Mann general manager Scott Saxon about his venue's upcoming season. "Every one of these is a hit. Every one."
Both seasons are packed with well-known, popular musicals ― shows and music that most people already know by name.
"Obviously, we want shows that people are gonna love," says David Filner, executive vice president of artistic operations for Artis―Naples. "And one of the things we have a lot of next year is music and artists that people are familiar with and really love."
Both venues think "MJ: The Musical" will be a massive hit. It opens March 25 at Artis―Naples, then moves to B.B. Mann Hall on April 1.
"It’s Michael Jackson, the King of Pop," Saxon says. "You get to hear all those hits. It really does take you back."
Filner expects the show to sell out at Artis―Naples "It’s a great show and a lot of energy." he says. "And I think it's music that's popular with audiences of all ages. So that should be a big one."
"Mamma Mia!" should also bring in massive box office in Naples, he says. "That's just a great show that's been around for years," Filner says. "And this revival of it is another wonderful production with amazing songs that people know and love. And just lots of energy and lots of fun."
Farther north at B.B. Mann Hall, Saxon expects "Come From Away," "Les Misèrables" and "Jersey Boys" to sell out.
"Those are the three most popular musicals we've ever had here," Saxon says. "People just love those shows."
Current Broadway subscribers at Artis―Naples can renew their subscriptions now for the 2024-25 season. New subscribers have to wait until May 28.
Mann Hall is already selling subscriptions for everyone, Saxon says. Single tickets for both venues are expected to go on sale sometime this fall.
Here's a closer look at all the musicals coming to Fort Myers and Naples in 2024-2025 season:
Broadway season at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
'Jersey Boys' (Jan. 7-12, 2025)
The Tony- and Grammy-winning musical about Franki Valli and the Four Seasons returns to Southwest Florida with hit song after hit song, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You."
'Funny Girl' (Jan. 21-26, 2025)
Based on the life of Fanny Brice, this musical comedy follows the star from her start in a Brooklyn music hall to her impressive rise to fame with the Ziegfeld Follies. It includes the songs “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and the Barbra Streisand hit “People.”
'A Beautiful Noise' (Feb. 18-23, 2025)
Pop-rock superstar Neil Diamond collaborated with the creators of this uplifting new musical. It tells his story with the help of "Sweet Caroline," "America," "Cracklin' Rosie" and other hits. The show ― built around a series of therapy sessions with Diamond ― shares the same name as his 1976 album, "Beautiful Noise."
'Come From Away' (Feb. 25-March 2, 2025)
The Tony Award-winning musical tells the true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in a small town in Newfoundland the day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
'MJ The Musical' (April 1-6, 2025)
Michael Jackson takes center stage in this popular musical created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. The show focuses on the late Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It’s filled with iconic dance moves and songs.
'Les Misèrables' (April 15-20, 2025)
The acclaimed Cameron Mackintosh production of the iconic musical returns to B.B. Mann Hall. This version of the French revolution musical gets rid of the iconic turntable and replaces it with realistic Paris street sets and video projections of drawings and paintings by Victor Hugo, who wrote the 1862 novel on which the musical is based.
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Broadway season at Artis―Naples
'Some Like it Hot' (Dec. 24-29, 2024)
This Tony Award-winning, cross-dressing musical is based on the popular 1959 movie starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Two musicians witness a mob hit during the Prohibition era and are forced to flee to Chicago and disguise themselves as women.
'MAMMA MIA!' (February 4-9, 2025)
The ever-popular musical involves a bride-to-be, her search for her birth father on a beautiful Greek island, and a jukebox-sized collection of ABBA songs such as “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “SOS” and the title song.
'The Cher Show' (March 4-9, 2025)
Pop star Cher has been making music for six decades. This Tony Award winner tells her story with three actors playing the iconic singer/actor at various ages. The show features 35 of Cher's hits, including "Believe," "I Got You Babe" and "If I Could Turn Back Time."
'MJ The Musical' (March 25-30, 2025)
Michael Jackson takes center stage in this popular musical created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. The show focuses on the late Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It’s filled with iconic dance moves and songs.
'Pretty Woman' (April 9-13, 2025)
The musical adaptation of the beloved 1990 romantic movie starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (“Hairspray,” “Kinky Boots,” “Legally Blonde”). The soundtrack features original music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance.
Artis―Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 597-1900 or artisnaples.org
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: New musicals announced at B.B. Mann in Fort Myers, Artis-Naples
