The Phil, Mann Hall get on with the shows for 09-10

"In the Heights," fresh off the Broadway stage and winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, will play at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts during the 2009-2010 season.

With a fresh score incorporating salsa, merengue and hip-hop, the feisty musical, which is just beginning its national tour, follows characters in New York City's Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights over the course of three days. Nominated for 13 Tony Awards, "In the Heights" also won Tonys for Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestration, in addition to Best Musical.

The Phil's founder, chairman and CEO Myra Janco Daniels announced the show's engagement at her recent annual report to the community. Although dates have not been finalized and single ticket are not yet offered, Mrs. Daniels said the entire 2009-2010 Broadway season for Phil will include:

. "The Color Purple," based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the Steven Spielberg movie

. "Xanadu," based on the 1980 movie . "A Chorus Line," which enjoyed a revival on Broadway three years ago . The highly popular "Chicago: the Musical" with music by Kander and Ebb . "Little House on the Prairie," starring Melissa Gilbert Up the road, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers has also announced

its next Broadway season. The Southwest Florida premiere of "Jersey Boys" will be on the boards Feb. 17-March 7. The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons won four Tonys, including the 2006 award for Best Musical, and includes the hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry, "Rag Doll" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You."

"Spring Awakening," winner of eight Tony Awards, including 2007 Best Musical, will play at the Mann Hall Jan. 26-31. Set in 1891 repressive Germany, it's an edgy tale of teenage sexuality and selfdiscovery. Pop singer Duncan Sheik, who wrote the score, received a Tony Award for Best Orchestration and choreographer/ dancer Bill T. Jones received one for Best Choreography.

"Grease," featuring "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, will play Nov. 3-8. And Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" returns April 13-16. Rounding out the Mann Hall's Broadway season is "Cirque Dreams Illumination," which has acrobats, balancing acts and jugglers in a unique urban setting. The company presented "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" at the Mann Hall last year, and also performed it on Broadway.

Back at the Phil, additional highlights of the 2009-2010 season include:

. For its opening night gala, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by Ronan Tynan. Bluegrass group Cherryholmes will also join the orchestra during the season, as will Renee Fleming. The orchestra also plans an evening of Led Zeppelin music.

. Headliners for the Phil next season include Itzhak Perlman, Huey Lewis, k.d. lang, Neil Sedaka, Gladys Knight, Loggins and Messina, Marvin Hamlisch, Johnny Mathis and Michael Feinstein.

. For jazz enthusiasts, there's Dave Koz and Friends, and Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz Band.

. Modern dance troupes include Pilobolus and Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo. As for ballet, the Moscow Festival Ballet will perform "Coppelia," the Royal Winnipeg Ballet "A Cinderella Story" and the Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre "Sleeping Beauty."

. Opera lovers will be treated to "Die Fledermaus," "Don Giovanni," "La Traviata" and "Rigoletto."

. Comedic acts include Bob Newhart, Jason Alexander, Lily Tomlin and The Smothers Brothers.

. And the cabaret series will bring Chicago City Limits, James Naughton, Jil Aigrot, Ken Page, Michael Amante, Rachel York, Kathy Halenda, Frank Ferrante and Karen Akers to the Daniels Pavilion.

Tickets for shows at both the Phil and the Mann Hall are made available first to subscribers. For more information about the Phil programming, call 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org; for information about the Mann Hall, call 481-4849 or visit www.bbmannpah.com.