Segerstrom season lineup: Something for everyone

Noah Ricketts, Josh Dawson, Jay McKenzie, and Paris Nix perform “On Broadway” as part of The Drifters vocal group at a season preview night at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Monday.

Aug. 25, 2016 4:43 PM PT

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts announced its lineup for the 2016-17 season, which features eight center premieres, box office hits and Tony, Grammy and Olivier award winners.

At a preview Monday, the center unveiled what it has planned through live performances of songs from these select Broadway offerings: “Beautiful - The Carole King Musical,” “Matilda,” “Fun Home,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and “Finding Neverland.”

Before the performances, Terry Dwyer, president of the Segerstrom Center, told the audience that 6 million young people have benefited from the performing art center’s arts programs and community engagement since its founding 30 years ago.

Anne McNiff-Gaeta, group services manager at the center, and Bob Bucci, of Broadway Across America, a presenter of live theatrical shows, hosted the presentation of upcoming shows.

Jeff Kready, left, and Mary VanArsdel, right, perform the song “You're a D'Ysquith” from “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” during a season preview night at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Monday.

“Beautiful” tells the story of Carole King’s songwriting career with her husband, Gerry Goffin, who helped pen songs like “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “I Feel the Earth Move.”

“Matilda” the musical, which won four Tony Awards, is based on Roald Dahl’s tale of a girl with brains and wit who creates her own destiny, and “Finding Neverland” shares the story behind the character of Peter Pan.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, and “Fun Home” is a musical based on life, love, family and survival.

“Our first 30 years has been incredible,” Dwyer said, reflecting on the center’s anniversary this year. “But we are very excited for what lies ahead.”

Last year, the center presented 467 performances — a surge in productions since its 60 performances the first year, in 1986, McNiff-Gaeta said.

For more information, call (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org.