Cirque du Soleil and UMG Nashville’s have revealed their new theatrical show Songblazers – A Journey Into Country Music, which will premiere in Nashville, running from July 2 to July 28 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). The premiere will be followed by theatrical runs in seven additional U.S. markets in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Missouri. Billboard previously revealed the news of the UMG Nashville/Cirque du Soleil deal.
Songblazers, a theatrical production written and directed by Amy Tinkham, will honor legendary and modern country music trailblazers. The production chronicles the journey of two main characters as they pursue careers in country music. The show also features original music from UMG Nashville artist Sam Williams, who is also the grandson of country music pioneer Hank Williams and the son of outlaw country artist Hank Williams Jr. With co-writers PJ Harding and Ned Houston, Williams created a new song specifically for the show, titled “Carnival Heart.”
“The title idea came to me pretty easily after becoming acquainted with Cirque du Soleil,” Williams said in a statement. “Where I come from, most people don’t get to go to the circus. We go to county fairs and carnivals, and the carnival in a small town is filled with joy, excitement, mystery, euphoria, you name it. That feeling is one you always remember, and I think the roller coaster of emotions lines up with what you want to feel seeing such an incredibly beautiful production such as Cirque’s.”
Pre-sale tickets are available starting Monday (March 25), with general on-sale beginning March 28.
See below for a full list of cities and dates:
- July 2 -28, 2024: Nashville, TN – Tennessee Performing Arts Center® (TPAC)
- Aug. 1 – 11, 2024: Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Center
- Aug. 14 – 18, 2024: Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
- Aug. 21-25, 2024: San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
- Sept. 12-15, 2024: Birmingham, AL – BJCC Concert Hall
- Sept. 18-22, 2024: New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theatre
- Sept. 25 – Oct. 20, 2024: Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
- Oct. 23-27, 2024: St. Louis, MO – The Fabulous Fox Theater