Austin’s ZACH Theatre has announced the 2016-17 season lineup, and audiences are in for some real treats. The season kicks off with high heels in the outrageous Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical, running from September 28 to October 30, 2016, and directed by ZACH Associate Artistic Director Abe Reybold. Based on the smash-hit movie, this Olivier and Tony Award-winning musical tells the uplifting adventure of three friends from Australia who journey into the Outback searching for love, friendship, and family.

“Priscilla will be the kind of party that Austin loves to revel in, and we will all deserve a good celebration for surviving the fall’s election season,” ZACH Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley said. “ZACH’s growing national profile has facilitated new artistic collaborations for us in the coming season with the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City; we look forward to working with our outstanding colleagues, and building deeper relationships for future productions. It’s an ambitious season and we look so forward to sharing each dynamic experience with our great Central Texas audience.”

Returning for the holidays is Steakley’s popular family adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens running from November 23 to December 31, 2016, and David Sedaris’ irreverent story of a Macy’s elf, The Santaland Diaries from November 23 to December 25, 2016. Each year, ZACH’s A Christmas Carol features new hit songs and reimagined carols that create an infectious spirit that will have audiences dancing in the aisles. ZACH’s unique adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic juxtaposes the traditional Victorian setting and costumes with a modern musical score that spans all genres.

Jazz siren Billie Holiday takes center stage in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, where audiences can turn back the hands of time in a swanky nightclub for an intimate evening with legendary the jazz songstress. She’ll be serenading guests through most of a month, running from April 5 to April 30, 2017. “God Bless The Child,” “Strange Fruit,” “Don’t Explain” and “My Man” are among the unforgettable hits audiences will savor from the lady who sings the blues.

Million Dollar Quartet, running from July 26 through September 3, 2017, is based on an historic night in rock history when Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins joined together in an epic jam session at Sun Records. The production is directed by Dave Steakley and is a collaboration with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, where it will play in addition to ZACH in the summer of 2017.

In The Heights looks to be promising for audiences in 2017. Set in NYC’s Washington Heights, this “Upper West Side Story” dazzles with sizzling song and dance, as the hopes, romances, and dreams of a community ignite over the July 4th weekend. Well-timed, this musical will run from May 31 to July 2, 2017.

“In The Heights is such an incredible experience in the theatre, from the pulse of the music to the Bboy dancing to the heartwarming story of family and community, and I’m so happy that Michael Balderrama will be helming our production, as you rarely have the opportunity to work with an artist who was with a show at every step in its development,” says ZACH Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley.

One play is yet to be announced, and in past seasons, popular plays like All The Way and ANN have been secured for this Director’s Surprise slot, so Texans will be poised with the selection when it is announced. Theatre fans can secure their season subscriptions online, over the phone at 512-476-0541 ext.1, or in person inside The Topfer Theater, 202 S. Lamar Blvd.