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The PNC Broadway Across America -- Pittsburgh series will bring
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PNC Broadway Series' 2012-13 season filled with smash hits

Brinkhoff/Mogenburg

PNC Broadway Series' 2012-13 season filled with smash hits

Pittsburgh's upcoming Broadway Series season is packed with six shows on the road for the first time, including one national tour debut and last season's Tony winners for best play, musical and musical revival. Who could ask for anything more?

Wait, there's more.

In addition to "War Horse," "The Book of Mormon" and "Anything Goes," the PNC Broadway Across America -- Pittsburgh season announced today by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust boasts the tour debut of "Flashdance the Musical" and fresh-from-Broadway musicals "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" and "Sister Act." Among the season specials is "American Idiot," based on Green Day's multiplatinum album.

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Despite its nine Tony Awards, there was concern about how "The Book of Mormon" might hit the road, with its over-the-top irreverence aimed at racial, sexual and religious subjects and explicit content. Then it sold out its debut in Denver before a cast has been announced, paving the way for more and more cities to be added to the schedule.

"To secure a spot on the first run of the most popular show still on Broadway and the most lauded musical since 'The Producers' is remarkable," said Paul Organisak, vice president of programming for The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "It's a testament to the market in Pittsburgh. Why we're able to secure a show like 'Book of Mormon' the first year out for two weeks is because of our history of support. Shows want to come to Pittsburgh."

After winning over London's West End, "War Horse" and its amazing life-size horse puppets arrived on Broadway last April. Inspired by the book and preceding the Oscar-nominated film of the same name, "War Horse," like "The Book of Mormon" and "Anything Goes," continues to play sold-out shows in New York. (The Broadway League's weekly box-office grosses show "Mormon" playing to more than 102 percent capacity.)

"War Horse" is one of a handful of non-musicals the PNC Broadway Series has brought to Pittsburgh in recent seasons, including "August: Osage County," "Doubt" and "Twelve Angry Men."

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"If I look at bookends of the season, 'Book of Mormon' is the pinnacle of securing the most popular, talked about musical on Broadway, and at the other end of the spectrum is [serious play] 'War Horse' -- it's sold out for how many years now?" Mr. Organisak said.

"Flashdance" is the unknown commodity despite its film pedigree and Pittsburgh roots. It opened in London's West End in 2010 but was given a complete overhaul for its Broadway debut in the fall. The score includes a mix of original songs along with the hits "Flashdance -- What a Feeling," "Maniac" and "I Love Rock & Roll." The tour debuts at Heinz Hall on Jan. 1, 2013.

Katheen Marshall's acclaimed revival of "Anything Goes" and the 25th anniversary tour of "Les Miserables" fill out the schedule. Specials include the return of "Jersey Boys" and "Mary Poppins," both still on Broadway, along with the power-pop/punk musical "American Idiot," which won a Tony for its gritty set, punctuated with synchronized TV screens. Based on Green Day's album and follow-up "21st Century Breakdown," the high-energy musical spent a year on Broadway, closing April 24.

"We need to develop an audience for the future, and even though it's a season special, the fact that it's here is brilliant," Mr. Organisak said. "We have to be forward-thinking. Shows like 'Spring Awakening' and 'American Idiot' help bring a younger audience into the mix."

2012-13 PNC Broadway Series

• At the Benedum Center unless otherwise indicated

Nov. 13-18: "War Horse" -- National Theatre of Great Britain and Bob Boyett presentation, with South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company. Nick Stafford's stage adaptation opens in England, on the eve of World War I, when Albert's beloved horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry. The horse is soon caught up in the war on both sides, and Albert determines to find Joey and bring him home.

Jan. 1-6, 2013: "Flashdance the Musical," tour premiere -- Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo ("Jersey Boys," "Memphis"). "Flashdance" returns to its roots in Pittsburgh, where the 1983 movie was filmed. Alex, a welder by day and performer by night, finds love with her boss while striving to become a professional dancer. • Heinz Hall

Jan. 15-27, 2013: "Les Miserables" -- 25th anniversary production of the Boublil & Schonberg musical, presented by Cameron Mackintosh. With a movie version in production, this tour comes with new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The London Times called the new show "a five-star hit, astonishingly powerful."

Feb. 5-10, 2013: "Sister Act" -- Based on the Whoopi Goldberg movie with original music by Alan Menken. Wannabe diva Deloris witnesses a crime and goes into hiding in a convent, where she helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

March 5-10, 2013: "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" -- Based on the 1994 movie, presented by Bette Midler. Two drag queens and a transsexual get a cabaret gig in the Australian Outback and hop into a great adventure and Tony-winning costumes. Songs include "It's Raining Men," "Finally" and "I Will Survive."

March 26-April 7, 2013: "The Book of Mormon" -- By "South Park's" Trey Parker and Matt Stone and "Avenue Q" composer Robert Lopez, last year's best musical follows two Mormons on their mission to Uganda. Warning: Explicit language and something to offend everyone; also, sides may hurt from excessive laughing.

April 16-21, 2013: "Anything Goes" -- Tony-winning musical revival boasts Cole Porter's popular score, including "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top" and the title song, plus exuberant tap-dancing at sea. • Heinz Hall

Subscriptions range from $140-$489. Single tickets go on sale approximately six to eight weeks in advance of the show's opening.

Season Specials

Season ticket-holders may order seats to these specials (not part of the season package) before they go on sale to the public.

Sept. 4-23: "Jersey Boys," Benedum.

Oct. 16-21: "Mary Poppins," Benedum.

Oct. 30-Nov. 4: "STOMP," Heinz Hall.

Feb. 19-24, 2013: Green Day's "American Idiot," Heinz Hall.

More information at trustarts.org or 412-456-6666.

First Published: March 8, 2012, 10:00 a.m.

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