Birmingham Hippodrome to Host PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, PORGY & BESS, & More in 2012/13

The Birmingham Hippodrome today announced full season information for its forthcoming 2012/13 season, which includes Cape Town Opera's PORGY AND BESS and Cameron Mackintosh's new production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE KING AND I, WONDERFUL TOWN, DIRTY DANCING, SISTER ACT and BLOOD BROTHERS.

"Birmingham Hippodrome’s 2012/13 season features a packed programme of world class productions and international performers, entertaining audiences both on and off stage," said Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive of the Birmingham Hippodrome. "American musicals are a big feature and we are particularly delighted to have been chosen as one of only a few venues to present The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess performed by the acclaimed Cape Town Opera. One of the major highlights for 2013 is Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera with priority booking for Hippodrome Friends opening 8 May."

THEATRE

Birmingham Hippodrome welcomes a host of American classics this spring/summer - a homage to some of the most famous composers and theatre-makers in the history of film and musical theatre.

We proudly present a new Leicester Curve Theatre production of The King and I (1-5 May) starring Ramon Tikaram and Josefina Gabrielle. Regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time, it features music and lyrics by American duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II including "Shall We Dance", "Hello Young Lovers" and "Getting To Know You".

Connie Fisher stars in a new production of Leonard Bernstein’s multi award-winning musical Wonderful Town (22-26 May). Presented by the unique partnership of Manchester’s Royal Exchange, The Halle Orchestra and The Lowry, Wonderful Town is set in 1930’s New York and features a 40-strong company and magnificent music from the writer of West Side Story.

The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess (6-9 June) performed by South Africa’s globally-renowned Cape Town Opera can be seen in Birmingham for the first time as part of a limited UK tour. Porgy and Bess has emerged as one of the great icons of American music theatre and known around the world as ‘the people’s opera’. It features some of the most stirring and ever-lasting songs including "Summertime", "I Got Plenty of Nuttin"; and "It Ain’t Necessarily So". Birmingham Hippodrome is delighted to be featuring this American classic in the 75th Anniversary year of George Gershwin’s tragic early death.

The American theme continues big style with the smash hit Dirty Dancing opening appropriately enough on 4 July, US Independence Day, and running right through the summer until 25 August. With the 1980s film having been seen by millions across the globe, Dirty Dancing tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny and features breathtaking dancing, with songs including "Hey Baby", "Do You Love Me?" and the heart stopping "I’ve Had The Time Of My Life". Dirty Dancing will be the last production to appear on Birmingham Hippodrome’s 30-year old stage before it is ripped out and replaced in a £1m programme of backstage improvements.

Sister Act (9-20 Oct) completes the Hippodrome’s 2012 season of US musicals. Produced by Whoopi Goldberg and based on the movie of the same name, this fabulous family-friendly feel-good show is packed with songs inspired by Motown, funk, soul and disco written and composed by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.

Direct from his West End triumph, stage star and Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow will join the cast of Willy Russell’s legendary Blood Brothers for just two weeks only (22 Oct-3 Nov). Marti – seen most recently here in Jekyll & Hyde and in The Witches of Eastwick - will play the role of The Narrator in Bill Kenwright’s acclaimed production.

Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera will be presented at Birmingham Hippodrome in March/April 2013.