White Plains Performing Arts Center Ushers in 2023-2024 Season

A new season has begun at White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC), and with it comes three new main stage musicals: In the Heights, Anastasia and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Executive Producer Stephen Ferri says he is excited to present the wide array of shows to the public: “Everything we create is created by us for the people. [There is] something for everyone – for a family, someone in their 30s, someone in their 80s… It’s as diverse as possible.”

The shows will take viewers on three very different journeys with all the hallmarks of a Broadway show. Ferri notes that it also the debut of both Anastasia and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in professional regional theater.

In the Heights will begin the season, running from October 6 to October 29*. The show, written by Hamilton writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the story of a lively community in New York’s Washington Heights and the struggles they must overcome together. Character Usnavi de la Vega leads the audience on a comedic yet heartwarming journey through his town. The story touches on love, loss and family as tradition clashes with modern ideals in the ever-changing landscape of the present.

Anastasia will premiere in time for the holiday season, running from December 15 to January 7. This show, written by Lynn Aherns and Stephen Flaherty, is the musical adaption of Disney’s 1997 animated film. The musical tells the story of Anya, a streetsweeper living in St. Petersburg, and two con-artists-turned-companions, Dmitry and Vlad. Together, the three work to uncover the truth behind the massacre of the Romanov family and the rumored survival of Anastasia Romanov, the Grand Duchess of Russia.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, will close out WPPAC’s 2023-2024 season, running from April 12 to May 5. This jukebox musical tells the life story of Carole Klein as she rose to fame and eventually became well-known as the singer Carole King. It will follow her life story beginning as a songwriter in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY. The show is filled with King’s classic, including “You’ve Got a Friend”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Natural Woman.”

Ferri adds: “It’s a great way to experience professional high quality – I would even say Broadway-level – theater at a fraction of the price right in their backyard.”

*This article initially reported the ending date of October 22 for “In the Heights.” Since then, the show’s run-time was extended until October 29 and the article was updated accordingly.