Clearwater, FL—April 23, 2006: Robert A. Freedman, President and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall announced the Broadway selections for the 2006—2007 Season today. “Our Broadway season is full of perennial favorites,” said Freedman, “as well as several ‘first time’ Ruth Eckerd Hall and Tampa Bay premiere performances. We are proud to be bringing these shows to our community.”

Annie
Five Performances October 27 through October 29, 2006

Leapin’ lizards! Annie is coming to Clearwater! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, N.Y.C. and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow, Annie is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family. Don’t miss this all-new production that Variety calls “a winner!”

Molly Ringwald in Sweet Charity
Eight performances January 2 through January 7, 2007
Ruth Eckerd Hall Premier Performance

Sweet Charity, the Tony-nominated Broadway musical will feature the sensational Molly Ringwald. The star of Broadway's Cabaret and such memorable films as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Sixteen Candles, Ms. Ringwald takes center stage as Charity Hope Valentine, who's a true original, eternal optimist...and the unluckiest romantic in New York City. Sweet Charity’s tuneful score (by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields) features such hits as Hey Big Spender, There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This and If My Friends Could See Me Now. The show is based on a hilarious book by Neil Simon. USA Today hailed this new production as "exhilarating" and "a real kick." The Wall Street Journal called it "a blast!" Sweet Charity is directed by Walter Bobbie, who won the Tony Award for the runaway musical sensation Chicago. The show features knockout choreography by Wayne Cilento who won a Tony Award for The Who's Tommy and has earned four Tony nominations for such hits as Wicked and How To Succeed....

CHICAGO
Five performances—February 2 through February 4, 2007

“Chicago has no peer on Broadway in matters of wit, style and sheer musical riches.”
-Charles Isherwood, Variety

The one, the only Chicago—it is Broadway’s most popular musical – a razzle-dazzle tale of sin and celebrity. And now, you can see it LIVE. The recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations, Chicago is the sensation that just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Riverdance
Five Performances—February 16 through February 18, 2007

REDISCOVER THE ORIGINAL!
Now in its 11th phenomenal year, Riverdance, the internationally-acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance that has touched the hearts of millions around the world, triumphantly returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall. “An explosion of sight and sound that simply takes your breath away,” cheers the Chicago Tribune. “A family evening unlike anything else!” raves The London Times. Discover why nothing in the world compares to the original! Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, there is no better time to share the magic of Riverdance with your family.

Mamma Mia!
Eight Performances: March 27 through April 1, 2007
Ruth Eckerd Hall Premiere Performance

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads.
And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

Over 20 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia!—the ultimate feel-good show!

Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives!

With more productions playing internationally than any other musical, Mamma Mia! is the World’s No. 1 Show!

Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley
Two performances—Saturday, December 2, 2006

Jesus Christ Superstar, the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, exploded onto the scene in 1971 changing the world of musical theater forever. With a score of amazing songs - I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Hosanna, Everything’s Alright, What’s the Buzz, Superstar, and Heaven on Their Mind, this original groundbreaking production starring Ted Neeley is as relevant and timeless as ever.

“The freshest and most audacious of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber creations.”
-Ben Brantley, The New York Times

Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Ruth Eckerd Hall Premiere Performance

“Aida is not opera. It’s truly a pop musical with spoken dialogue and all kinds of recognizable song types: urban-based rhythm and blues, gospel inspired songs, ballads and, of course, Crocodile Rock songs.” – Elton John

Winner of four 2000 Tony® Awards, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida is a musical bursting with contemporary energy that tells of the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. Aida is an epic and classic tale of love, loyalty, betrayal, and courage, with an exhilarating Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning score by Elton John and Tim Rice, their first collaboration since writing the music for The Lion King together. Time magazine proclaims Aida “A big, bright show with luscious Elton John melodies.”

Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight!
Thursday, February 15, 2007

“Mr. Holbrook’s material is uproarious; his ability to hold an audience by acting is brilliant.”
- The New York Times

Every performance is different in Holbrook’s classic channeling of the great American writer, and no wonder. Twain is the mother lode of American humor, and Holbrook has been mining it for 50 years, updating the show to reflect on current events as well as perennial human foibles. His most recent New York engagement, in 2005, brought rave reviews. “I thought he was just wonderful then,” NY Times critic Ben Brantley said of his first boyhood encounter with Holbrook’s show some 40 years ago. “To my surprise, I still do.”

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Friday, January 19, 2007

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a rainbow ride through biblical Egypt on the wings of Andrew Lloyd Webber's (Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Evita) uplifting music and the humor and poetry of lyricist Tim Rice (Oscar-winning lyricist of Disney's Aladdin). This irresistible musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel's favorite son, paints a picture of betrayal and hardship, prophecy and forgiveness. This Joseph cannot be missed.

“Joseph is the wittiest of Lloyd Webber’s extravaganzas and this version lives up to its reputation.”
-Orlando Sentinel

I Can’t Stop Loving You
“The Music of Ray Charles”
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Ruth Eckerd Hall and Tampa Bay Premier Performance

Direct from London’s West End, I Can’t Stop Loving You is the smash-hit show that rocks the house with the legendary music of Ray Charles. It’s a non-stop party where the hits just keep on coming from an on-stage orchestra and dazzling company of singers and dancers: Georgia, Hit the Road Jack, America the Beautiful, Unchain My Heart, What’d I Say, I Can’t Stop Loving You and many more. This show is dynamite! “Electrifying,” says The London Times. The Glasgow Herald calls it “Dazzling! A real raise-the-roof affair.” You won’t stop loving I Can’t Stop Loving You! (Not endorsed, sponsored or affiliated with the Ray Charles Estate)

The balance of the concerts, family programming and special events will be announced in May. Tickets for the 2006—2007 season go on sale to the general public on Saturday, August 26th at 10:00 am at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office as well as www.rutheckerdhall.com. Priority ordering for Members will begin when they receive their brochures in early July. Patrons wishing to order early may do so by simply becoming a member. All artists, programs, dates and times are subject to change. The Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office phone number is (727) 791-7400 and its hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.