6 Musicals Due at Arts Center

For its 1994-95 Broadway Series, the Orange County Performing Arts Center has slated six touring musicals, one more than in the current season. Included among the upcoming shows are a classic American opera and two revivals--”Hello, Dolly!” and “The Sound of Music”--on their way to Broadway.

Announced Tuesday, the subscription series will begin in November with “Jelly’s Last Jam” (starring Maurice Hines), followed in December with “The Sound of Music” (starring Marie Osmond) and in February with “Blood Brothers” (starring Petula Clark).

The series then will take a four-month break before picking up again in June 1995 with “Hello, Dolly!” (starring Carol Channing, who originated the title role in 1964) and a Houston Grand Opera production of “Porgy and Bess” partly financed by the center. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will close the season in July 1995.

Center spokesman Gregory Patterson said the top price for single tickets, which has been $45, will rise to $47, except for “Porgy and Bess,” whose top ticket will cost $60. The least expensive tickets to all shows will stay at $19.

The center will offer two kinds of subscriptions: a six-show package ($112 to $282) and a five-show package ($94 to $224). Because “Porgy and Bess” will run from a Wednesday to a Saturday, Patterson said, those with season tickets for Tuesdays or Sundays will be offered the five-show package and a chance to buy single tickets for “Porgy and Bess” before they go on sale to the public.

The current Broadway Series has 16,932 subscribers who fill 71% of the seats, leaving the rest for single-ticket buyers.

Three shows remain in the ‘93-94 series: “The Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular” (which opens Tuesday and continues through June 19), “Jesus Christ Superstar” (June 21-26) and “The Phantom of the Opera” (July 22-Sept. 4).