SHN 2015-2016 Season Preview

SHN raises the curtain on the dazzling theatrical experiences that lie ahead!

When asked to describe how SHN puts together a theatrical season, CEO Greg Holland gives a revealing example.

"I completely believed that Elphaba was flying through the air," Holland says. "And that's the story of what we do at SHN. We work to create the most artistic, entertaining and transformative experiences possible for our audiences."

"It's my job is to know what's happening in the theater world," says Holland, who in an average year sees some 40 productions and countless readings in cities around the world to select the five to seven shows that make up an SHN season. (And that's just the regular season package; SHN offers approximately 15 theatrical productions a year as well as other special events.) Last year, for example, he traveled to Sydney, Australia, to see the premiere of Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom: The Musical. While there, he visited the Sydney Theatre Company to discuss SHN's ongoing commitment to bring internationally recognized productions to San Francisco. Weeks later, he went to London to see Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story On Stage and Matilda: The Musical, both of which were promptly added to the SHN lineup.

To keep things running smoothly, the SHN team typically works on several seasons at once, often scheduling shows three years in advance and locking in each season six to eight months before it begins. But the long hours and demanding travel schedules pay off, because SHN not only consistently presents world-class theater, it also has a long track record of debuting new productions. In the past 15 years, SHN has hosted 13 world premieres and pre-Broadway engagements.

SHN boasts a robust membership of more than 20,000 dedicated theatergoers, who value being able to see the best of Broadway (and beyond) in SHN's beautifully restored theaters. "San Francisco has always been a place where new things are happening, and our audiences have high expectations," Holland says. "And the fact that the Bay Area is a cool, creative place is one reason top talents-from stars like Hugh Jackman, Angela Lansbury and Idina Menzel to directors like Diane Paulus, Baz Luhrmann and others-enjoy working here with us."

Producer Paul Blake is another such talent who revisits San Francisco time and again to collaborate with SHN; he returns in 2016 with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. "Of course, San Francisco is an extraordinary town for theater," Blake says. "But the other reason I go is SHN. They are supportive and knowledgeable and know their market. They get it. It's beyond being partners; it's like we're family."

Here's a preview of what's in store for 2015-16 (a sixth, yet-to-be-announced show will also be part of the season):

If/Then
The first show of the season is the Tony-nominated If/Then, starring Idina Menzel. Created by the award-winning team behind Next to Normal, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, it is directed by Michael Greif, who also directed Menzel in Rent.

Based on the premise that a single decision can change the direction of one's life, the musical follows 40-year-old Elizabeth as she finds herself at a crossroads, where the path she takes meets the one she didn't. San Francisco will be one of only a few cities on If/Then's tour to feature Menzel, who originated the role of Elizabeth.

SHN is proud to once again work with producer David Stone and star Menzel, who had the same respective roles in Wicked. For Holland, If/Then was the perfect new musical to be featured in the season lineup. "I was struck by how smart and moving the show is," Holland says. "All the elements work together beautifully. And we get to work with old friends again. What could be better?"

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
This critically acclaimed musical farce opened on Broadway in 2013 and instantly became a smash hit, winning the Tony for Best Musical in 2014. Set in the early 1900s, Gentleman's Guide tells the story of an English heir to a family fortune who devises a devious plan to keep the inheritance all to himself.

"While A Gentleman's Guide to Love And Murder embraces the traditions of the old-fashioned Broadway musical, it has the spirit, energy and sly wit of the modern musical comedy," explains producer Joey Parnes. "It's also gorgeous, melding Edwardian period costumes and sets with contemporary style and technology-all done with a charming wink."

"This was the sleeper musical that exploded into a giant hit," says Holland. "The show's creative team came up with an incredible, thoughtful and deeply clever piece. Gentleman's Guide is set in an earlier time, but it is absolutely a 21st century musical in the way it moves."

Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story On Stage
Based on the popular 1987 film, this theatrical adaptation has played in cities around the world, breaking box office records with its classic pop songs and phenomenal dancing.

"SHN is always happy to give our audiences productions like Mamma Mia! and Jersey Boys that are an out-and-out great time," says Holland. "This season, we've found it with Dirty Dancing."

Cabaret
Director Sam Mendes' edgy remake of the iconic musical Cabaret, co-directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall, has garnered global acclaim in its incarnations in both London and New York.

For SHN, the question was: Why revisit this classic now? Holland says that SHN had long hoped to present work by director Mendes again-he directed the acclaimed production of Richard III that played at the SHN Curran Theatre in 2011-and Cabaret was the perfect opportunity to do so.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical had its world premiere at SHN's Curran Theatre in October 2013, before moving to Broadway, where it went on to receive two Tony Awards and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. The story of singer-songwriter Carole King, Beautiful traces her early life, partnerships and career, and features her well-loved hits: "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "It's Too Late," "I Feel the Earth Move" and many more.

Now, the musical returns to San Francisco as a fully realized production, having gone through significant modifications since its premiere. Producer Paul Blake recalls how the initial San Francisco audiences-"sophisticated and knowledgeable and generous," he says-helped him see how Beautiful could be taken to the next level.

Click here for more show information from SHN!