The Grand Opera House, a cannot miss venue for the arts in Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley, recently unveiled its highly anticipated 2023-2024 Broadway in Wilmington season held at The Playhouse on Rodney Square. The new season marks the 110th anniversary since the curtain first rose at The Playhouse, which holds the distinction of being the country’s longest continuously operating Broadway touring house.
“I’m very excited to share the new Broadway season with our community,” says Pam Manocchio, Executive Director of The Grand. “As The Playhouse celebrates its remarkable 110th anniversary, this lineup promises to captivate theatergoers with unforgettable stories and breathtaking performances. We truly cannot wait to welcome new and returning audiences to this exciting season of Broadway excellence!”
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
- 1007 N. Market Street
The Broadway in Wilmington series consists of a 4-show subscription, presented by Bank of America, opening in October with the North American tour of Hollywood’s most beloved story, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL. In March, the ‘Rhythm is Gonna Get You’ with ON YOUR FEET! which follows the lives of Cuban American musicians Gloria and Emilio Estefan and their rise to stardom. This is followed by the smash-hit musical COME FROM AWAY arriving in April, telling the inspiring true story of a small town that welcomed the world. And in May, the season closes with LITTLE WOMEN, bringing Louisa May Alcott’s classic story to musical life on stage.
All four shows are Wilmington premieres!
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL
October 13-15, 2023
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director, Garry Marshall, and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart. Are you ready to fall in love all over again?
ON YOUR FEET! The Emilio & Gloria Estefan Story
March 7-10, 2024
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Now their story is an all-new exhilarating original musical winning the hearts of critics and audiences alike, with the Chicago Tribune declaring “It’s a hit!” ON YOUR FEET! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century, including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Don’t Want To Lose You Now,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark.” Prepare to be on your feet from start to finish!
COME FROM AWAY
April 19-21, 2024
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all. This stirring and inspiring musical takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of the small town in Newfoundland that opened their homes to 7,000 stranded travelers on 9/11. During that fateful week, cultures clashed and nerves ran high—but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Celebrate the best of humankind and the best in all of us at COME FROM AWAY.
LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL
May 9-12, 2024
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Produced nationally and internationally, LITTLE WOMEN has been praised by critics for its ambition in bringing the timeless, captivating story to vivid musical life on stage. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, LITTLE WOMEN follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March, each determined to live life on her own terms. LITTLE WOMEN embodies the complete theatrical experience, leaving audiences filled with a sense of adventure, joy, heartache, and a lifting of the spirit. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartbreak, hope, and everlasting love – the sounds of a young America finding its voice.
Grand Opera House
Built in 1871, this magnificent concert hall in Downtown Wilmington entertains and engages its communities through exceptional, diverse live…
Season Special Events
There will also be several “Season Specials” to round out the 2023-2024 Broadway season. The MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS kicks off the holiday season in late November, and the family-favorite ANNIE clears away the cobwebs in January. Plus, you won’t want to miss two show-stopping performances by Tony Award winners Alan Cumming (Cabaret, Schmigadoon) in October and Sutton Foster (The Music Man, Younger) in March. Rounding out the season in May, powerhouse duo David Foster and Katharine McPhee perform an evening packed with David’s hits from Whitney Houston to Michael Bublé, and Katharine’s biggest songs from American Idol to Waitress, plus many more.
ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE
October 28, 2023
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Broadway legend Alan Cumming returns with his new cabaret show ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE, an evening of story and song celebrating and exploring his puckish, eclectic spirit and joie de vivre, in a mischievous exploration of that most communal of pastimes: aging! Cumming has played God, the Devil, Hitler, the Pope, a teleporting superhero, Hamlet, all the parts in Macbeth, and the EmCee in Cabaret in the West End and on Broadway, earning him a Tony Award® for Best Actor. Spend an intimate evening with a truly remarkable performer.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS
November 17-19, 2023
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Inspired by the Tony Award-nominated hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet, this holiday reimagining brings together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins for a musical celebration featuring nostalgic holiday hits like “Run Rudolph Run,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and more. This brand-new musical is inspired by the true story of the momentous homecoming in December 1956 of rock 'n' roll newcomers, and soon to be legends, as they reflect on Christmases past and contemplate Christmases present and yet-to-come at a moment when no one knew if rock 'n' roll was a fad or a revolution.
ANNIE
January 5-7, 2024
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. ANNIE, directed by Jenn Thompson, features the iconic book and score, written by Tony Award® winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.
AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER
March 2, 2024
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Sutton Foster is a two-time Tony Award®-winning actress, singer and dancer who was most recently seen on the Broadway stage starring in an acclaimed turn as Marian Paroo in the Broadway revival of The Music Man, opposite Hugh Jackman. She originated roles in the Broadway productions of The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Women, Young Frankenstein, and Shrek the Musical. Spend an evening with the Broadway star as she performs favorite works from Broadway and beyond in this unique and inspiring event.
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE McPHEE
May 19, 2024
The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Sixteen-time Grammy Award®-winning musician, composer, and producer David Foster and acclaimed singer, television, and Broadway star, Katharine McPhee are joining forces and bringing their show on the road. This intimate show with the powerhouse duo will be packed with David’s hits, from Chicago, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, etc. and Katharine’s biggest songs from American Idol, Smash, and Waitress – plus some of their own favorites!
Looking for Dinner Before (Or After) the Show?
Current subscribers to the Broadway Season in Wilmington will be contacted directly about renewing their seats. Tickets for the “Season Specials” can be added onto a subscription package at discounted rates. Additional subscriber benefits include priority seating ahead of the public, free parking, seating flexibility, and more. To learn about how to subscribe to the Broadway season, call 302-888-0200, or visit the box office at The Playhouse at 1007 N. Market Street, Wilmington (Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm). Tickets for individual performances will go on sale at a later date.
All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Additional fees may apply. Visit www.TheGrandWilmington.org for up-to-date information.
Broadway in Wilmington is presented by Bank of America. This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.