Civic Center CEO Abe Ambroza reveals the four Broadway shows coming to the Crouse Performance Hall next winter and spring.
Jacob Espinosa
LIMA —A packed house filled the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center to find out which Broadway shows will be coming later in the year to the venue Tuesday night.
“Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Come From Away”, “The Book of Mormon” and “Mean Girls” will all take the stage at the Civic Center this season, as Civic Center Foundation officials announced at the Season Reveal Gala.
“It was a great showcase of what’s coming up next year at the Civic Center and just a good gathering of those that like the arts,” Foundation board member Andy Farley said.
“It’s really nice to see what the Civic Center does for the community,” Lisa Wenger of Bluffton said. “I’m looking forward to all of the shows. They all look great tonight.”
Development Director at the Civic Center Carmen Cecala-Wells said that she was happy to see the event turn out so well and get the response it got from the crowd.
“I really hope that people took away the importance of the arts in our community and that the foundation and all of our supporters are able to give back to bring this to Lima,” she said.
Civic Center CEO Abe Ambroza said that the night is his favorite event of the year and that it meant a lot to raise funds for the foundation with auctions, as well as to share the news about the titles coming to the center.
“Tonight was about fundraising and revealing our four great titles,” he said. “They’re all doing seven night stops in other cities, so to get them here for a night is a big deal for us.”
Ambroza said that none of it would be possible without the support of donors.
“I hope they took away the fact that our foundation is what’s supporting the arts at the Civic Center and that it takes some money to do that,” he said. “We need some support and donations. Buy tickets, donate and continue to support the arts coming to Lima.”
Cecala-Wells said that she is looking forward to seeing the arts continue to grow in Downtown Lima.
“I’m just looking forward to the growth,” she said. “The downtown is just flourishing and I love that we’re here in the heart and the center of it.”
Farley and Wenger shared that sentiment, as well.
“Hopefully people realize the importance of the Civic Center and what they do for the community,” Wenger said.
“I hope people realize how many opportunities there are to come out and enjoy yourself,” Farley said. “You don’t have to go out of town to do that and you can see real quality entertainment right here.”
Each show will perform in Crouse Performance Hall starting with “Mean Girls” on Nov. 12. “Come From Away” will premier Feb. 1, “Jesus Christ Superstar” will run April 18 and “The Book of Mormon” will run May 14.
Tickets for the shows are on sale for Broadway Series subscribers. Subscriptions can be renewed May 22 for anyone with one last year. New subscriptions will be on sale June 5.
Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased by calling the box office at 419-224-1552 or visition limaciviccenter.com.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
