Bringing Broadway to Bloomington

IU has a lot going for it – a beautiful campus, excellent library resources and a world-renowned school of music. But one thing the campus contributes not only to its students but also to Bloomington as a whole is the IU Auditorium, whose upcoming season undeniably has something for every audience member.

From musicals like “Sweeney Todd,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Hairspray” to performers such as Bill Cosby and Dennis James, IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said he looks forward to each performance.

“Everything’s a show in my world,” he said.

Booher singled out a few shows in the upcoming season, including Cosby’s performance scheduled for Sept. 19 during Freshman Family Weekend.
“That show in particular is always a huge crowd-pleaser and our students today have grown up with (Cosby),” Booher said.

He also specifically mentioned Broadway hit “Mamma Mia!,” which was recently made into a film starring Meryl Streep. The film will debut July 8, according to the Internet Movie Database, and the traveling show will come to Bloomington March 6-8.

“It’s the feel-good musical of the century,” Booher said. “It’s like going to a party.”
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a Broadway musical that will hit the Auditorium in February, revisits the humorous-in-retrospect trials of the “tween” years.
“It is absolutely hilarious,” Booher said. “It takes you back to your middle-school days.”

While ticket prices vary by seating section, student tickets are noticeably discounted.
However, many students think $19 to $40 is still pricey to see a musical and Cosby might not be worth $30 to $45.

“I think it’s kind of expensive,” said sophomore Danielle Brannon, though she acknowledged the price is relatively cheap compared to many other venues. “It’s kind of a lot of money when you’re a college student.”

Students can pay by check, credit card, cash or charge tickets to their bursar account.

The Department of Theatre and Drama also produces four plays each semester. Student tickets are $10 to $15. This fall the Lee Norvell Theatre and Drama Center will feature “Dead Man Walking,” “The Wild Party,” “Hamlet” and “Marisol,” while “Stop Kiss,” “An Ideal Husband,” “The America Play” and “Oklahoma” will show in the spring.

“I am really thrilled about this season,” said John Kinzer, director of audience development. “I think it’s one of the more daring seasons we have done.”

This year’s season opener “Dead Man Walking” will begin on the 75th anniversary of the University’s first production, which debuted Oct. 10, 1933, Kinzer said.

Kinzer also said he is looking forward to seeing what the theater department does with “Hamlet.”

“It’s one of the great plays in terms of the acting,” he said, commenting on the challenges and versatility of Shakespeare. “It’s cut and edited. ... People will not be sitting in the theater for four hours, thank goodness.”