Segerstrom 2015-16 Broadway series: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘If/Then,’ ‘Newsies’

Touring blockbusters are a staple at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, so with the Costa Mesa venue’s announcement Monday of its 2015-16 Broadway series, the question was not whether big names would be in the lineup, but which ones.

Segerstrom said its 30th season will include touring productions of “Disney’s the Lion King,” “42nd Street,” “Cabaret,” “Wicked,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Riverdance.”

“Newsies,” “If/Then” and “The Illusionists” will be seen at Segerstrom for the first time, joined by new productions of “42nd Street,” “Rodger’s + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” and “The Sound of Music.”

“Disney’s the Lion King,” comes first, on Oct. 6. Directed by Julie Taymor, the six-time Tony Award-winning show about a lion family in the Serengeti has been seen by more than 70 million people worldwide.

Next up: “42nd Street,” about a young dancer hoping to achieve stardom in New York City. This production will be directed by co-author Mark Bramble with choreography by Randy Skinner.

Kicking off the new year will be a bonus production of the Irish dance favorite “Riverdance,” which will run for only three days.

“If/Then” and “The Illusionists” make back-to-back premieres in January and February before “Wicked” sneaks in for a 2 1/2-week run.

The comedy musical “The Book of Mormon” follows from late March through early April.

“Rodger’s + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will open in April 2016, followed by the center premiere of “Newsies” with score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, book by Harvey Fierstein, choreography by Christopher Gattelli (“South Pacific”) and direction by Jeff Calhoun (“Big River”).

In July 2016, the hills come alive with “The Sound of Music” in a new production directed by three-time Tony Award-winner Jack O’Brien.

“We plan to look more closely at this remarkable work -- to tear off the varnish of the past and reveal one of the great, fresh glories of musical theater,” O’Brien said in a statement.

Sam Mendes’ and Rob Marshall’s Tony Award-winning production of “Cabaret” hits the stage in August, capping the season.

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