It’s been years since the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne offered up a series of theatrical shows. But with the well-connected nation-wide management company ASM Global now at the helm, “Broadway at the King Center” will bring five touring shows to the 2,000-seat venue.
“What we bring to the table is a lot of experience,” says Bob Papke, general manager of the King Center for ASM. “We bring a lot of relationships to the table. The ability to work not only with local and regional promoters, but also national relationships.”
ASM manages 79 theaters around the world. Along with that comes deep relationships with agents and promoters. ASM can also leverage value when it comes to pricing for theatrical equipment, Papke says.
Moreover, the company has a longstanding relationship with the American Theatre Guild, the country’s largest nonprofit touring Broadway presenter. First established in 2014, ATG tours nearly 100 shows each year to 14 markets from coast to coast, both Equity and non-Equity shows. ATG also has education and outreach programming dedicated to underserved students.
American Theatre Guild works closely with ASM Global in other markets, says Amy Hamm, ATG executive director, adding that she finds the fit the team has with the King Center exciting.
“I’m excited about the future of the Broadway at the King Center series with ASM as our partner,” Hamm says. “We are already working hard to plan the 2022-23 season, before we’ve even had the opportunity to open our first Broadway season at the King Center. We see amazing potential for this market supporting the performing arts.”
While some changes have been made behind the scenes, when audiences arrive they will see the same well-run, inviting theater they have come to expect.
“It’s improving on what’s already there,” Papke says. “Sometimes we walk into a facility and there’s a lot to do. But the King Center has been immaculately run – clean, great staff and volunteers. Audiences will see a difference in concessions, increased points of sale. We’ll hopefully expand the base of programming.”
Broadway at the King Center begins with rock ’n’ roll.
“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” runs Dec. 6-7
The high-energy, foot-tapping show tells the story of the legendary Buddy Holly, a 19-year-old from Texas who created some of the most iconic music in early rock ’n’ roll. You’ll hear tunes like “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue” and “Oh, Boy!”
Papke says ASM Global is pleased to be able to launch the new series with this show.
“Booking a Broadway series is always an intersection of what you want and what’s available,” he explains “It happened that ‘Buddy’ was touring in the area both for ATG and for us. It’s a special show. We manage the Buddy Holly Hall in Lubbock, Texas. We’re opening a Broadway series there with the same show. It’s a happy coincidence.” Tickets start at $30.
“Rent’s 25th Anniversary ‘Farewell Season of Love’” runs Jan. 3, 2022, and is an add-on for season subscribers.
This is the blockbuster, Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by the late Jonathan Larson, that tells the story of a diverse group of artists living in squalor. It is based loosely on the opera “La Boheme.” The musical has the memorable number “Seasons of Love.” This musical has become part of theater history for its phenomenal appeal. It actually has “Rent groupies” who follow the production to multiple venues. While Papke isn’t one of those groupies, he has, in his profession, seen the show 24 times. Tickets start at $40.
“South Pacific” runs Feb. 8-9, 2022.
This is the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical that brings audiences to a World War II Pacific Island where cultures come together, setting the stage for unexpected love. The multiple award-winning musical has memorable Broadway tunes, including “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” and “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.”
Papke says bringing this classic to the King Center stage is part of ASM’s mission to be good stewards to its theater-loving patronage. “The King Center should be a celebration of the community it serves,” he says. Tickets start at $35.
“An Officer and a Gentleman” runs April 4-5, 2022.
This is the sweeping romance that knocked people off their feet when they saw the 1982 movie version starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger. It tells the story of arrogant Zack Mayo, a U.S. Navy officer candidate, his drill sergeant and the local factory worker he falls in love with. But this is a new musical, so you’ll hear a wealth of fitting songs, including “Up Where We Belong,” “Higher Love,” “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” Love is a Battlefield” and much more. Tickets start at $35.
“Waitress” runs June 7-8, 2022.
This is the newest of the Broadway shows represented in the series. The musical follows Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker, who longs to leave her small town and her bad marriage. She pours her emotions into her pie-making, coming up with “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed by My Eggs Pie.” Entertainment Weekly called the musical “a little slice of heaven.” When the show ran on Broadway, the production team sold pies in the lobby. Papke didn’t say whether he’d be doing the same. Tickets start at $40.
Season tickets for four shows start at $185. “Rent” is an add-on.
This fall, prior to the Broadway series, Maestro Christopher Confessore and the Brevard Symphony Orchestra will present the first of their Signature Six Series of Saturday evenings at the King Center on Oct. 16, 2021. Their “Opening Night: Around the World in 80 Minutes” ties in perfectly with the theme of the series, “Where will the music take you?” A program of favorites includes the Franz von Suppé “Poet and Peasant” Overture, Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” and Liszt’s “Les Preludes.” Tickets start at $29.
The King Center for the Performing Arts is at 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.