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The Smith Center unleashes a season of heavyweights with its next Broadway series

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Motown the Musical takes the Reynolds Hall stage in January 2017.

Dabblers and devotees, rejoice in the Smith Center’s recently announced Broadway season, a well-rounded slate of nine musicals ranging from family-friendly to classic to new.

Fun Home (January 3-8, 2017), adapted from Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel, is the lineup’s main highlight. It won big at the 2015 Tony Awards, including best musical, best original score, best book and best direction. Set in a funeral home, it portrays the author at three ages, trying to make sense of her dysfunctional family and her sexuality.

Beautiful—The Carole King Musical (September 20-October 2) might come off as a head-scratcher, but audiences quickly realize they know the songs, and find a deeper appreciation for the “Natural Woman” singer-songwriter. Also expect familiar tunes in jukebox sensation Motown the Musical (January 17-22, 2017).

Matilda the Musical (March 14-19, 2017) was supposed to visit last year, so crowds are extra-hungry for its empowering message of individuality. And though it lacks critical acclaim, reinvented Peter Pan story Finding Neverland (February 14-19, 2017) is a battle-tested crowd-pleaser.

Reynolds Hall will see the dancey An American in Paris (April 11-16, 2017), as well as classics The Sound of Music (August 2-14) and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (November 22-27).

The Phantom of the Opera (May 31-June 11, 2017) closes the season. By then, it will have been five years since Phantom wrapped at the Venetian, and a new generation will experience the haunting drama in its top-tier, full-touring glory.

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