Detroit Opera House and Nederlander Detroit collaborate on major Broadway touring productions

DETROIT – Michigan's grandest stage will soon come alive with the best Broadway has to offer. In a joint announcement, officials at the Detroit Opera House and Nederlander Detroit have released details of a programming collaborative that will result in the presentation of extensive Broadway programming at the Detroit Opera House. This landmark collaboration between two of Detroit's performing arts icons promises future co-productions that will originate in Detroit.
Broadway programming at the Detroit Opera House will commence in November 2007 with a limited engagement of Disney's "The Lion King."
"We are so pleased to associate with Nederlander Detroit, LLC", said David DiChiera, general director of Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Opera House. "From its inception, Michigan Opera Theatre has incorporated the presentation of musical theater into our mission, presenting some of the great theatrical masterpieces at Music Hall and the Fisher Theatre. Now, we are excited that today's hottest touring productions, so well suited to our expansive stage, will grace our Detroit Opera House. We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with Nederlander Detroit with this presenting collaboration, and look forward, with great anticipation, to working together on Detroit-based co-productions."
On behalf of Nederlander Detroit, Alan Lichtenstein, executive director said, "In addition to our programming at the Fisher Theatre, Masonic Temple Theatre and the Gem Theatre, we know that our loyal playgoers will enjoy the ambiance of the Detroit Opera House as a venue for today's biggest and best touring Broadway productions. The long-standing friendship shared by the Nederlander family and Michigan Opera Theatre/Detroit Opera House will only be enhanced by this exciting new collaboration and its extraordinary potential for future productions."
The Nederlanders have presented metro Detroiters with the best in Broadway and family entertainment for more than eight decades. Boasting one of the longest running and most successful Broadway series in the nation, Nederlander Detroit has recently announced details of its 46th star-studded Broadway Season, which begins this spring with "Camelot" (Fisher Theatre), starring Michael York, and continuing with "Sweet Charity" (Fisher Theatre), starring Molly Ringwald; followed by the new, Tony Award winning musical, "The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee" and "Twelve Angry Men" (Fisher Theatre). The Season concludes in November with Disney's "The Lion King" (Detroit Opera House).
The Detroit Opera House is the home of Michigan Opera Theatre. A 1920's movie palace, the Detroit Opera House, restored, renovated and re-opened by Michigan Opera Theatre in 1996, features a seating capacity of 2,735 configured into orchestra seating, grand tier boxes (15 private boxes), mezzanine and balcony seating. The magnificent theater boasts a 75,000 square foot stage house and an orchestra pit with a capacity for nearly 100 musicians. In addition to serving as the home of Michigan Opera Theatre's opera season, the Detroit Opera House season schedule includes a major season of dance programming, comedy/variety programs and special events.
Tickets for all Broadway in Detroit programs will be available at the Fisher Theater Box Office and all TicketMaster Outlets.
Further details, including performance schedules and ticketing information may be obtained by visiting http://www.BroadwayinDetroit.com.
Tickets for Michigan Opera Theatre's opera and dance season may be obtained at the Detroit Opera House ticket office, by phoning 313-237-SING or online at http://www.MichiganOpera.org.