Paramount, Moore seasons will be star-studded

A solo concert by dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, a premiere collaboration between singer Bobby McFerrin and tapper Savion Glover and the Seattle debut of two current Broadway musicals are all on the 2003-2004 schedule for the Paramount and Moore Theatres.

The upcoming season, produced by Seattle Theatre Group, again boasts separate jazz, dance, family, theater, musical theater, and silent film series, as well as special events and community productions — some 40 shows, encompassing 200 performances.

A few highlights: The Broadway in Seattle at the Paramount series will import touring editions of the Tony Award-honored romp "Urinetown," and the hot new dance musical "Movin' Out," set to music by Billy Joel.

The Broadway series also features (yes, again) a monthlong, return engagement of the Andrew Lloyd Webber phenom, "The Phantom of the Opera." And if you can't get enough of Sir Andrew, there's also his "Starlight Express," with special 3-D stage effects, in the wings.

In addition to Baryshnikov's concert of solo dances, STG will host notable dance companies from Finland (K. Kavarnstrom & Company) and Israel (Batsheva Dance Company), plus a program of new works by Seattle choreographer Pat Graney and a visit from Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Shows coming to the Moore include "The Exonerated," an acclaimed Off Broadway docu-drama about innocent people who wound up on death row, and "Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam," an offbeat Broadway jam with a multicultural cast of performance poets.

Jazz-lovers can take in the sounds of vocalist Shirley Horn, guitarist John McLaughlin with drummer Zakir Hussain and David Murray's Big Band. Those seeking family fare will find a live version of "Spider-Man" among the offerings.

And there will again be two Silent Movie Mondays series.

What is most novel about next season is STG's new subscription and pricing plan. It doesn't restrict a subscriber to any specific series: Instead, you pay a flat per-ticket fee, and create your own mini-season (minimum of three shows) of what interests you. (The sole exception: the Paramount's Broadway musicals series, managed by Clear Channel Entertainment. Subscribers to this must sign up for all six shows.)

STG executive director Josh Labelle says the more flexible subscription plan will "let people experiment with the diversity of what we're bringing to Seattle."

It is also an acknowledgement that ticket-buying patterns are changing, and patrons want more flexibility and good deals (tickets prices won't be rising anytime soon) when they shop for entertainment.

Labelle is plugging into another national trend by raising the Moore and Paramount curtains a half-hour earlier on weeknights, so all STG-sponsored shows start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. (Monday night silent movies begin at 7 p.m.)

The 2002-2003 season, Labelle notes, has been one of highs and tests for STG. On the up side, the Paramount celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala party and concert, and the nonprofit STG became owner of that grand old showplace — thanks to the generosity of previous owner Ida Cole.

There were a few huge hits, notably the Bolshoi Ballet and the Mel Brooks musical "The Producers." But there were also cancellations and postponements of shows amid economic worries and global crisis.

"This climate has been more difficult and challenging for us, for sure," says Labelle. "But we're trying to keep up a balancing act by presenting new things, along with very popular things, and staying invested in our education and community programs. Let's just say, we're staying the course."

Following is a list of shows currently planned for STG's 2003-2004 season. To subscribe to Broadway in Seattle at the Paramount, call 888-451-4042 or go to the Web site www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. For subscription information and orders for all other STG events, call 206-428-SHOW.

Broadway in Seattle at

the Paramount Series

"The Phantom of the Opera," Sept. 10-Oct. 5

"Radio City Christmas Spectacular," Nov. 13-Dec. 7

"Oklahoma!" March 2-7, 2004

"Starlight Express," March 30-April 4

"Urinetown," May 25-30

"Movin' Out," June 8-20

Dance at the

Paramount Series

Mikhail Baryshnikov - Solos with Piano. Oct. 17-18, Moore Theatre

K. Kavarnstrom & Company, Nov. 6, Moore Theatre

Pat Graney Dance, Jan. 30-31, 2004, Moore Theatre

Dance Theatre of Harlem, Feb. 6-7, Paramount Theatre

Batsheva, March 17, 2004, Paramount Theatre

Jazz at the Paramount Series

"Remember Shakti: John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain," Sept. 25, Moore Theatre

Shirley Horn, Oct. 16, Paramount Theatre

David Murray Latin Big Band, Nov. 15, Moore Theatre

Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis, March 26-27, 2004, Paramount Theatre

Family Arts Alive at

the Paramount Series

"Spider-Man Live!" Aug. 19-24, Paramount Theatre

Dan Zanes & Friends, Nov. 8, Moore Theatre

"Dora the Explorer Live!" June 2-6, 2004, Paramount Theatre

Moore Theatre Series

"The Hanging Man," Oct. 22-26, Moore Theatre

"Forever Tango," Nov. 18-23, Moore Theatre

"The Exonerated," Jan. 13-18, 2004, Moore Theatre

Sandra Bernhard, Feb. 14, Moore Theatre

Russell Simmons' Def Jam Poetry, Feb. 27-28, Moore Theatre

"Rob Becker's Defending the Caveman," April 15-18, Moore Theatre

Special events

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Oct. 2, Moore Theatre

Ravi and Anoushka Shankar. Oct. 21, Paramount Theatre

Showtime at the Apollo," Feb. 14, 2004, Paramount Theatre

Bobby McFerrin and Savion Glover, March 13, Paramount Theatre

John Waters, April 18, Paramount Theatre

Eddie Izzard, dates and venue to be announced.

Silent Movie Mondays (Fall Series)

"The Cat and the Canary." Oct. 13, Paramount Theatre

"Pandora's Box." Oct. 20, Paramount Theatre

"The Phantom of the Opera." Oct. 27, Paramount Theatre

For information about STG's additional community and education events, and its winter Silent Movie Mondays series, or to request a season brochure, call 206-428-SHOW