On Broadway

Broadway in Austin teases Hamilton in new season announcement

Broadway in Austin has revealed its upcoming season, including a Hamilton tease.

The 2017-2018 season will featureRent, The King and I, Finding Neverland, School of Rock, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, An American in Paris,and The Book of Mormon. But the real coup is that the blockbuster musical Hamilton is slated to play the Bass Concert Hall the season after.

Hamilton will be part of the 2018-2019 Broadway in Austin season. Dates have not been revealed, but "the best way to guarantee tickets to Hamilton is to purchase a subscription for the 2017-18 season," says Kathy Panoff, Texas Performing Arts director and associate dean, in a release. Renewing subscribers will get a chance to snag tickets before they become available to the public.

The musical will also hit Houston in spring 2018 as well as Dallas and San Antonio (dates to be announced).

Until then, "the 2017-18 Broadway in Austin series promises an exciting year of live theater," says Panoff, with "premieres, new and award-winning titles, and an all-time Broadway classic."

Five- and six-show packages for 2017-2018 season went on sale at 11 am on Friday, February 24; Rent and The Book of Mormon are the sixth show options. Current subscribers have until March 24 to renew. Prices starts at $135. Individual show tickets will be released later.

Here's a preview of what's playing:

Rent
You won't have to wait 525,600 minutes to catch the 20th anniversary tour of Rent in Austin. October 13-15, 2017.

The King and I
This classic Rodgers + Hammerstein love story will transport you to 1860s Bangkok. December 12-17, 2017

Finding Neverland
Meet the "man who was Peter Pan" in this semi-biographical tale of author J.M. Barrie, inspired by the film. January 16-21, 2018

School of Rock
The hilarious Richard Linklater film about a substitute teacher who molds his private-school pupils into an awesome rock band will come to life on stage. February 13-18, 2017.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
This tongue-in-cheek musical about crime, deception, passion, and — you guessed it — murder takes place in early 1900s London. March 20-25, 2017

An American in Paris
An American in Paris is the Tony Award-winning story about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl, and an indomitable European city. May 30-June 3, 2018.

The Book of Mormon
From the creators of South Park comes this hilarious production exploring religion, life, and everything in between. The musical contains explicit language and crude humor. April 17-22, 2018.

Hamilton is coming to town for Broadway in Austin's 2018-2019 season.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of Hamilton

Photo by Joan Marcus

Hamilton is coming to town for Broadway in Austin's 2018-2019 season.

music theater

Make A Wish

Austin holiday bazaar with toys and home decor returns for 24th season

Photo courtesy of Blue Genie Art Bazaar

This approachable art market has finds fitting many preferences.

When the sometimes dreaded task of holiday shopping rolls around again, Austinites have a huge advantage. This city is full of artisan fairs, and that increases in the late fall with the arrival of markets like Blue Genie Art Bazaar, returning for its 24th year November 15 to December 24.

The local shopping market is virtually split between this and the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, with the latter market focusing more on fine art and live music, while the former takes a wider, more utilitarian approach. This year there are more than 200 regional vendors, many of whose catalogs feature items that nod to their Texas heritage, cute and funny knickknacks, and unique home goods.

A website organizes the vendors into 15 categories for easy browsing, including by material (wood, glass, ceramics), modality (photography, fine art, folk art), use (home decor, body care), and more. A legitimately well-balanced mix of products during past years means this is a good place to stop for multiple receivers on a shopper's list

Another edge this market has over the plethora of others popping up is an online store — which, attention Halloween-lovers, is active year-round. Customers can pick up online orders at the store or get them shipped around the United States.

It's still worth it to go in person; aside from enhanced browsing, there will also be a bar and snacks. And in addition to supporting local artists, a portion of sales each Monday also supports Make-a-Wish of Central & South Texas.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar coasters This mix-and-match coasters depict Austin landmarks that only locals know, including some that have closed.Photo courtesy of Blue Genie Art Bazaar

“We’re excited to welcome even more artists and artisans to this year’s Bazaar, making it a truly one-stop shopping destination for the holidays,” said BGAB co-owner Dana Younger in a press release.

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is located at 6100 Airport Boulevard, and open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, except Christmas Eve (December 24) when it closes at 6 pm. More information is available at bluegenieartbazaar.shop.

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