Updated 1:36 p.m. March 30

We’re finally getting our Covid vaccinations (thank goodness!), but Houston performing arts is still feeling the ripple effects of this pandemic.

Wicked, everyone’s favorite musical revealing the true story of Oz, will no longer be flying into the Hobby Center this year. According to Broadway at the Hobby Center, the cancellation is due to the “continued effects of COVID on the touring Broadway” show. 

"It’s going to take some time for producers to recast, re-rehearse, and successfully prepare the show to get back on the road,” said Fran Macferran, Hobby Center Foundation president and CEO, in a statement. “Broadway tours stop in many different states along their route, and all venues across the country must also be open at 100% for tours to resume.”

But rejoicify, folks, because Elphaba and Glinda will make their swankified Bayou City return in 2023 (May 31–July 2). In the meantime, musical fans will still have plenty to enjoy when Broadway at the Hobby Center’s season kicks off this fall.

 Broadway at the Hobby Center (Re-Updated) 2021–2022 Season

My Fair Lady: Sept 14–19, 2021

Tootsie: Nov 16–21, 2021

Hadestown: Jan 4–9, 2022

Fiddler on the Roof: Apr 26–May 1, 2022

Disney’s Frozen: June 30–July 17, 2022

Mean Girls: Aug 16–21, 2022

Hamilton: Feb 22–Mar 20, 2022

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Season Option): June 3–5, 2022

Updated 1:30 p.m. Jan 28 

Houston, once again, we have bad theater news. With Covid-19 cases still surging, Broadway at the Hobby Center announced yesterday that all of its scheduled shows this spring, already pushed back once because of the pandemic, have been bumped to the 2021-2022 season.

Additionally, a couple of shows have been canceled: Blue Man Group, originally scheduled for April 20–25, and Jesus Christ Superstar, originally scheduled for May 11–16.

“It is the communal nature of live theater that makes it so special, and unfortunately that is the very thing that has been keeping us apart during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Fran Macferran, president and CEO of the Hobby Center Foundation, in statement. “However, we take heart in the knowledge that we will return with the support of our subscribers and Houston audiences who will be able to experience the magic and uplifting nature of live theater together again." 

On the bright side, several Tony-nominated (and winning) shows have been added to next year’s already-packed season, including Frozen, Fiddler on the Roof, and … wait for it … Hamilton, which had been cancelled from the 2020 roster last May.

Keep up with Broadway at the Hobby Center season news here.

Broadway at the Hobby Center (Updated Again) 2021–2022 Season

My Fair Lady: Sept 14–19, 2021

Tootsie: Nov 16–21, 2021

Hadestown: Jan 4–9, 2022

Fiddler on the Roof: Apr 26–May 1, 2022

Disney’s Frozen: June 30–July 17, 2022

Mean Girls: Aug 16–21, 2022

Hamilton: Feb 22–Mar 20, 2022

Wicked (Season Option): June 23–Aug 1, 2021

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Season Option): June 3–5, 2022

Updated 12:10 p.m. Oct 20

When the Great White Way announced this summer that it was remaining closed through the end of the year, an announcement from Broadway at the Hobby Center soon followed. The change made sense, of course; it’s difficult to bring in national tours when those tours have been shut down.

Now the pattern’s continued. Earlier this month Broadway announced it will stay dark at least through May, and today the Bayou City’s extension of the Great White Way announced new season changes.

Both season opener Tootsie and season option Beautiful, which were set to kick off the season in January, have been postponed to currently undetermined dates later this season; Mean Girls, which was meant to arrive in March, has also been postponed until later in the season. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated Aaron Sorkin-penned adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird (originally scheduled for a February) run is being rescheduled to a future season.  

We’re just happy to see Hadestown is still rollin’ our way down the railroad tracks.

Broadway at the Hobby Center (Updated Again) 2020–2021 Season

Blue Man Group: Apr 20–25, 2021

Jesus Christ Superstar: May 11–16, 2021

Hadestown: June 8–13, 2021

Wicked: June 23–Aug 1, 2021 (Season Option)

My Fair Lady: Sept 14–19, 2021

Tootsie: TBD

Beautiful The Carole King Musical: TBD

Mean Girls: TBD

Published 12:10 p.m. July 1

With the news that the Great white way is staying dark through the end of the year, it should come as no surprise that Broadway at the Hobby Center has reworked its 2020-2021 season. But don't fret, theater lovers, this isn't like when Broadway was forced to announce that Hamilton would not return to Houston this summer. All your favorite shows are still coming, they're just taking a bit longer to get here. 

Broadway at the Hobby Center was slated to kick off its season in September with My Fair Lady, followed by performances from the always-colorful Blue Man Group in November. Those productions have been rescheduled for later in the season. Season-ticket option Beautiful, which recounts the early life and career of singer-songwriter Carole King using the music she wrote, has also been moved up in the schedule.

The new season will now open with Tootsie in January 2021, concluding with My Fair Lady in September 2021. See the updated season (including dates) below:

Broadway at the Hobby Center (Updated) 2020–2021 Season

Tootsie: Jan 5–10, 2021

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical: Jan 22–24, 2021 (Season Option)

To Kill A Mockingbird: Feb 23–28, 2021

Mean Girls: Mar 16-21, 2021

Blue Man Group: Apr 20–25, 2021

Jesus Christ Superstar: May 11–16, 2021

Hadestown: June 8–13, 2021

Wicked: June 23–Aug 1, 2021 (Season Option)

My Fair Lady: Sept 14–19, 2021