Chicago opens September 22 at Shea's.

Maybe it’s the arrival of their new carpeting (6,300 square yards of custom loom carpet, that recreates the original 1926 carpeting and cost about $650,000), but people keep asking if the upcoming Shea’s season is any good.

Well, yeah!

As long as Broadway keeps pace, and Shea’s remains one of the most lucrative single weeks on the touring schedule, Shea’s will continue to have great seasons. While this year may not have the pizzazz of the summer of Wicked, or a family block buster like The Lion King, it is a very solid line-up, with treasures galore.

Chicago

September 22-27

The ever popular Kander & Ebb musical that became an Oscar-winning movie and features the Chita Rivera anthem “All That Jazz” returns—yet again. And again charismatic Mexican musical theater star Bianca Marroquin plays Roxie. You may not know her name, but Marroquin is unique in the American theater, having played the role both in her native country and on Broadway. She returns to the national tour of Chicago direct from a smash engagement in the Mexico City revival of The Sound of Music—and she is irresistibly fabulous! Check her out on YouTube.

Topol in Fiddler on the Roof

November 17-22

One of the most beloved American musicals of all time, with Topol himself recreating his film performance. Like Bianca Marroquin in Chicago, Topol has played the role at Shea’s before, which only adds to the magic. Whenever I see Fiddler, I am bowled over by how well the material holds up. Well done, the show is a delight on every level.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

December 15-20

Shea’s always gets a little crazy around the holidays, and this time they’re bringing in one of those Cirque shows—those billion dollar Montreal to Vegas spectacles of acrobats and outrageous costumes. Traditionalists may hold out for The Nutcracker (also coming to Shea’s) but the visuals of this show are guaranteed to be amazing.

In the Heights

January 26-31

The 2008 winner of the Tony for Best Musical is a delightful story of family and friendship in a Hispanic Manhattan neighborhood. I adored every minute of the Broadway production of this show, which features a wonderful contemporary score, lovable character and an inspiring story about following your dreams.

Grease

March 23-28

Yes. Grease. You did it in high school—now see a professional company.

Jersey Boys

April 21-May 9

At long last the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons comes to Buffalo. This will be the hot ticket of Shea’s line-up, featuring songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night,” and “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” Cheesy pop music has never been more appealing in this story about how four kids from blue-collar New Jersey made pop music history.

For more information about the Shea’s season, see www.sheas.org or call (716) 847-0850. (Incidentally, you can see the newly recreated carpet on their Website too.)