A season without the Rockettes needs a touch of magic. So the PNC Broadway Across America -- Pittsburgh Series is flying in Mary Poppins for more than two weeks in January as part of its 2010-11 season.

"Mary Poppins" and "Shrek the Musical" give the season two family-friendly brand names on the bill to join a trio of acclaimed revivals: the Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific," the New York Public Theater's "Hair" and "West Side Story." The new musicals in the Broadway series are the ode to 1980s arena-rock, "Rock of Ages," and "Next to Normal," a Tony winner for best score of a musical, about a family dealing with the mother's bipolar disorder.

"Next to Normal" is the most contemporary show in a season with so many throwbacks, reflecting what it's like on Broadway these days. It's the edgiest choice for the series, and Paul Organisak, the vice president of programming for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, was practically giddy to put the other newcomer, "Rock of Ages," in front of local audiences.

The love story about a small-town girl and a big city rocker in L.A., circa 1987, features music by Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Whitesnake and Pat Benatar, to name a few.

"It's intelligent, but talk about tongue planted firmly in cheek ... I don't know why I keep bringing it up," Mr. Organisak said. "I guess it's because I could see it again and again."

"Mary Poppins," on Broadway since 2006, combines the original stories by P.L. Travers and the Disney film; it's produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.

The lavish production will settle into the Benedum Center for a Jan. 5-23, 2011, run.

Mr. Organisak was a bit bummed that the effect of a house rising up through the floor doesn't follow the Broadway show to the road, but when he saw it in Chicago, "the house unfolds, like a book," which is quite a sight, too.

The timing of "Mary Poppins" fits into how the Broadway series has been unfolding here for a few years now, Mr. Organisak said.

"As far as the season coming together ... it's almost becoming our template -- a big blockbuster in September and another in January. To land 'Mary Poppins' is pretty amazing."

Another big production derives from the 2008 revival that breathed new life into the 60-year-old "South Pacific," which travels with a cast of 34 that's accompanied by an orchestra of 26 -- the largest orchestra of any touring Broadway production.

Like "Hair," which first "Let the Sunshine In" in 1968, it feels fresh in its latest, Tony-winning incarnation.

"This production of 'South Pacific' is so authentic and true and pure and fresh ... and 'Hair,' it's like a new show. They've done a brilliant job in giving it this reinvigoration."

Absent on the schedule are plays such as this year's "August: Osage County," with next to none touring after runs that were most attractive because of the big-screen stars to be seen on a Broadway stage. Last year's Tony-winning musical, "Billy Elliot," has yet to hit the road.

Mr. Organisak said the market for musical theater in Pittsburgh still astounds him. A newer show such as "Billy Elliot" is likely to stop in a big city like Chicago for a long run when it first ventures off Broadway, but when it goes wide, the next stop is usually Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

"That's the natural cycle," he said. "As far as our ability to attract the big show, they want to play Pittsburgh. I would think with all the hoopla around 'Billy Elliot,' it's certainly on our radar screen for 2011-2012."

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