ASU Gammage unveils 'Simply the Best' of Broadway

ASU Gammage has unveiled its 2023–24 Desert Financial Broadway Across America Arizona season, which includes six Tempe premieres, a pre-Broadway tour of "The Wiz," the family-favorite "Peter Pan" and — back by popular demand — "Hamilton" and "Les Misérables."

“ASU Gammage is ready to bring ‘Simply the Best’ of Broadway for the upcoming season,” said Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, ASU's vice president for cultural affairs and executive director of ASU Gammage. “We’ve lined up an eight-show package that will keep you rocking in your seats and excited about coming to see live theater at ASU Gammage.” 

Current season ticket holders can renew their subscription now at asugammage.com. Sales for new season subscriptions will be announced later. You can also sign up for the ASU Gammage waitlist at asugammage.com/waitlist.

Kicking off the 2023–24 Broadway season is the story of the queen of rock and roll, "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical," which will make its Tempe premiere Oct. 10–15. One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards, and her live shows have been seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. Featuring her much loved songs, "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.

Next up, get ready, because here they come! "Ain't Too Proud" will make its way to the ASU Gammage stage Nov. 14–19. "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations" is the electrifying new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts, creating an amazing 42 Top-10 hits, with 14 reaching No. 1.

Nominated for 12 Tony Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, "Ain't Too Proud" tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal as the group's personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America. Written by three-time Obie Award-winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff ("Jersey Boys") and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo ("Jersey Boys" and "On Your Feet!"), the unforgettable story of this legendary quintet is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and so many more.

You’re going to want to ease on down in 2024 with the pre-Broadway tour of "The Wiz," playing Jan. 2–7 at ASU Gammage. The highly anticipated Broadway revival of "The Wiz" returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new tour, the first one in 40 years. Director Schele Williams (“The Notebook,” revival of Disney’s AIDA), choreographer JaQuel Knight (Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”), William F. Brown (book), Charlie Smalls (music and lyrics), Amber Ruffin (additional material) and Joseph Joubert (music supervision, orchestrations and music arrangements) conjure up an Oz unlike anything ever seen before. This groundbreaking twist on "The Wizard of Oz" changed the face of Broadway — from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock and finger-snapping 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. Audiences get to enjoy the epic grooves of such beloved, timeless hits as “Ease on Down the Road,” which became the show’s breakout single, and the bona fide classic “Home” in this spectacular revival.

Then prepare for some joy, love, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis, life and everything we’ve been waiting to see in a Broadway show in "Jagged Little Pill." The exhilarating, fearless new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music comes to ASU Gammage Jan. 30–Feb. 4. Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus ("Waitress," "Pippin" and "1776") with Diablo Cody (author of Tony-winning book "Juno”), this Grammy-winning score and electrifying production about a perfectly imperfect American family “vaults the audience to its collective feet” (The Guardian). “Redemptive, rousing and real, 'Jagged Little Pill' stands alongside the original musicals that have sustained the best hopes of Broadway" (The New York Times). You live, you learn, you remember what it’s like to feel truly human — at "Jagged Little Pill."

Now, hold on to your diamond-studded glove for the music, the icon, the moves and the story of the greatest entertainer of all time with "MJ: The Musical," coming March 12–17, 2024. "MJ," the Tony Award-winning new musical is centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage, "MJ" goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.

Coming in spring 2024, "The Kite Runner" will make its Tempe premiere April 9–14, 2024. One of the best-loved and most highly acclaimed novels of our time, "The Kite Runner" is a powerful play of friendship that follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is a divided country, and two childhood friends are about to be torn apart. It’s a beautiful afternoon in Kabul, and the skies are full of the excitement and joy of a kite-flying tournament. But neither of the boys can foresee the incident that will change their lives forever. Told across two decades and two continents, "The Kite Runner" is an unforgettable journey of redemption and forgiveness, and shows us all that we can be good again.

Keep looking up — for the second star on the right and straight on to "Peter Pan" at ASU Gammage June 11–16, 2024. Join the Darling family as Peter Pan and Tinkerbell take them on a soaring adventure all the way to Neverland. All you have to do is believe. Featuring a timeless score that includes “I’m Flying,” “I’ve Got To Crow,” “Never Never Land,” “I Won’t Grow Up” and so many more, "Peter Pan" is now updated for a new generation of thrill seekers — and more spectacular than ever. Come witness the new definitive version of a story that never grows old. Your whole family will be hooked!

Back by popular demand and to close out the 2023–24 Broadway season, "Hamilton" returns to Tempe June 25–July 28, 2024, with subscriber week being June 25–30. "Hamilton" is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, "Hamilton" has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater — a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, "Hamilton" is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony, Grammy and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

For more Broadway, there is a season option in the lineup. ASU Gammage is welcoming back an all-time favorite. "Les Misérables" is returning Dec. 5–10, 2024. Season subscribers will receive priority access to this show before the general public. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “Les Mis for the 21st Century” (Huffington Post), “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph) and “one of the greatest musicals ever created” (Chicago Tribune). Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon "Les Misérables." Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, "Les Misérables" tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption — a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Its magnificent score includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and 22 languages, "Les Misérables" is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.