DSM News Room

Dallas Summer Musicals Awarded 6 Major Theatrical Awards

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:02:00 +0000

DSM Special Events and Announcements Contact:
Sharon Adams

214-343-4402

Adamscomm1@aol.com

Dallas Summer Musicals Shows PR:
Jo Ann Holt

214-421-5678 ext 109
joannholt@charter.net

Dallas Summer Musicals Awarded 6 Major Theatrical Awards

Achievement by a southwest regional non-profit theatre group is unprecedented

(July 30, 2010) It all began in June 2007 when Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director, Dallas Summer Musicals and Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) were bestowed with the incredible honor of winning the 2007 Tony Award^®for Best Special Theatrical Event for Jay Johnson: The Two and Only. He joined the esteemed group of Broadway and Hollywood stars on stage to bring two medallions back to Big D, accepting a Tony Award^® both on behalf of DSM and himself as a producer of the award-winning show. The DSM medallion is proudly showcased in the lobby of its rightful home at The Music Hall at Fair Park.

The news for 2008 was even better! Boeing-Boeing, produced in part by Dallas Summer Musicals and Michael Jenkins, won two Tony Awards^®, one for Best Revival of a Play and one for Best Performance of a Leading Actor in a Play, Mark Rylance. Both Dallas Summer Musicals and Michael Jenkins played a huge part in producing this hilarious play revival on Broadway, resulting in Jenkins bringing home two more Tony Awards^®to Dallas.

Boeing-Boeing continued to win awards, being named the winner of two 2007 – 2008 Drama Desk Awards^®for Outstanding Revival of a Play: Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti and Outstanding Actor in a Play: Mark Rylance, resulting in two Drama Desk Awards brought home to Dallas, one for Dallas Summer Musicals as a producer and one for Michael Jenkins as a producer.

The Drowsy Chaperone and Jersey Boys each earned a Dallas Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum Award in the Touring Production category, resulting in six major theatrical awards to DSM and Jenkins in 2008.

A visionary leader in Dallas’ entertainment community, Michael A. Jenkins consistently brings the “Best of Broadway” to DSM. The 2010-2011 upcoming season is no different with a sensational line-up in the final stages of determination.

“We guarantee our Dallas audience always has the most current shows,” Jenkins said. “DSM is committed to bringing 71 productions, plays and musicals, to Dallas between 2010 and 2013 to the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Dallas Summer Musicals is a producer or major investor in many musicals and plays on stage now in London, such as the recent production of Legally Blonde and Boeing Boeing and on Broadway, including the Broadway production of Guys & Dolls.

“DSM also has major interests in many other future shows, including 9 to 5, based on the film, and A Christmas Story,” Jenkins added. “The newest show, Vanities, is one of the most successful plays of all time. It’s been made into a musical and will open on Broadway this fall.”

About Dallas Summer Musicals

Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) is the preeminent non-profit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region. Dallas Summer Musicals is presented by Comerica Bank. Season sponsors are American Airlines, Park Place Motorcars Dallas, and WFAA Channel 8. Visit the website at www.dallassummermusicals.org

About The Tony Awards^®
The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television. The Tonys are presented by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

The Drama Desk was founded in 1949 to explore key issues in the theater and to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the ongoing development of theater in New York. The organization began presenting its awards in 1955, and it is the only critics organization to honor achievement in the theater with competition between Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions in the same categories

Participating members of 2008-2009 Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum: Glenn Arbery, People Newspapers and D Magazine; Martha Heimberg, Turtle Creek News; Arnold Wayne Jones, Dallas Voice; Elaine Liner, Dallas Observer; Mark Lowry and Perry Stewart, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News.

The article is located here: http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/columnists/ltaitte/stories/DN-forumawards0910gl.State.Edition1.14d7579.html

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DALLAS IS GETTING A MAKE-OGRE!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:52:00 +0000

National Press Representative:

Catherine Major / C Major Marketing

(206) 521-9551

Local Press Representative:
Jo Ann Holt

(469) 363-7371 joannholt@gmail.com

DALLAS IS GETTING A MAKE-OGRE

SHREK THE MUSICAL

PRESENTED BY DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS

SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 17

AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

DALLAS, TX — DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that SHREK THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park for three weeks only, September 28-October 17. Single ticket prices range from $29-133.50 and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, July 26. Tickets will be available at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, all Ticketmaster outlets, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787). Group orders of 15 or more may be placed by calling 214-426-GROUP.

The role of everyone’s favorite swamp-dwelling ogre, Shrek will be played by Eric Petersen, who joins the tour from the Broadway production. He recently appeared as the socially challenged Barfee in the National tour of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Haven Burton, also from the Broadway Company will play the feisty Princess Fiona. Haven previously played Margo the Dog Whisperer on Broadway in Legally Blonde and understudied Elle Woods. Alan Mingo, Jr. is Shrek’s lovably annoying best friend Donkey. He was an original company member of The Little Mermaid where he played the role of Sebastian, and prior to that played the role of Tom Collins in RENT on Broadway. Todd Buonopane plays the vertically challenged villain Lord Farquaad. He performed on Broadway as Roger in Grease! and was a member of the original Broadway Company of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Rounding out the cast of misfit fairy tale characters, the peoples of Duloc and Far, Far Away are: Joe Abraham, Kevin Boseman, Holly Ann Butler, Carrie Compere, Emily Cramer, Tyrone Davis, Jr., Sandra DeNise, Scarlett Diaz, David Foley, Aymee Garcia, Brian Gonzales (from Dallas!), Justin Greer, Lisa Ho, Benjamin Howes, Madison Mullahey, Mara Newbery, Denny Paschall, Sarah Peak, Keven Quillon, Morgan Rose, Blakely Slaybaugh and David F.M. Vaughn.

“We are thrilled to send SHREK THE MUSICAL to theatres across the country,” said Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals, “and for American families to experience their favorite ogre and fairy tale creatures live on stage.”

An entirely new musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek!, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, the first chapter of the Shrek movie series.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales.

SHREK THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer® Prize^-winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change), and is directed by Tony® Award-nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Tony® and Emmy® Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Promises Promises). SHREK THE MUSICAL has set and costume designs by Tony® Award-winner Tim Hatley (Private Lives, Spamalot), lighting design by Olivier Award-winner Hugh Vanstone (A Steady Rain), sound design by Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages); choreography by Josh Prince, music supervision by Tim Weil, music direction by Andy Grobengieser, and orchestrations by Danny Troob and John Clancy.

SHREK THE MUSICAL was initiated when Sam Mendes, a big fan of the first Shrek film, suggested the idea of creating a musical to DreamWorks Animation’s Jeffrey Katzenberg around the time the second film was in production. The musical is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals and Co-President of Production for DreamWorks Animation) and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling).

The chart-topping original Broadway cast album for SHREK THE MUSICAL is available on Decca Broadway. DreamWorks Animation (NASDAQ: DWA).

SHREK THE MUSICAL will play September 28 through October 17 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Tue., September 28, 8 p.m.
Wed., September 29, 8 p.m.
Thu., September 30, 8 p.m.
Fri., October 1, 8 p.m.
Sat., October 2, 2 and 8 p.m.
Sun., October 3, 2 and 8 p.m.

Tue., October 5, 8 p.m.
Wed., October 6, 8 p.m.
Thu., October 7, 8 p.m.
Fri., October 8, 8 p.m.
Sat., October 9, 2 and 8 p.m.
Sun., October 10, 2 and 8 p.m.

Tue., October 12, 8 p.m.
Wed., October 13, 8 p.m.
Thu., October 14, 2 and 8 p.m.
Fri., October 15, 8 p.m.
Sat., October 16, 2 and 8 p.m.
Sun., October 17, 2 p.m.

SHREK THE MUSICAL will be the 2010 State Fair of Texas musical. The State Fair will run from Sept. 24- Oct. 17 and tickets are $15 for general admission to the fair. Tickets to the musical will be honored as admission tickets to the fair on the day of the show purchased.

PRINCIPAL CAST BIOGRAPHIES:

ERIC PETERSEN (Shrek), Broadway: Shrek The Musical (Shrek Standby/Papa Ogre/Straw Pig). Other credits include: First National Tour of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee), many Theatreworks USA productions, readings of Zorba (w/Antonio Banderas), Up Here, among numerous others. Regional: ...Spelling Bee (Northshore/Barrington Stage), The Foreigner (Engeman Theatre), The Producers (Barn Theatre), Oliver! (Charleston Stage). TV: "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "As The World Turns," "Evan & Gareth Trying To Get Laid," and an upcoming NBC pilot with Jimmy Smits. Eric is a proud graduate of Bradley University and member of Actor's Equity. Check out more at www.EricPetersenOnline.com.

HAVEN BURTON (Fiona), is elated to be playing a Princess at long last as she returns to her Shrek family. Originally from Los Angeles, she moved far, far away to Broadway where she was most recently seen in Shrek The Musical as Gingy and Sugar Plum Fairy, and she understudied Fiona and Teen Fiona. Other Broadway credits include Legally Blonde where she played Margot the dog whisperer while she understudied Elle, and in RENT where she played Maureen. She also performed in the First National tour of RENT in the role of Mrs. Cohen. Haven graduated with a BA from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

ALAN MINGO, JR. (Donkey). Broadway Credits: Sebastian in Disney's The Little Mermaid, where he was an original company member, Tom Collins in RENT. Prior to joining RENT on Broadway he staged, choreographed, and performed in the Italian version of RENT for Luciano Pavorotti. He also performed in both national companies. Other National tours: Seaweed in Hairspray, and Simba in the Los Angeles company and the first national tour of Disney's The Lion King. Regional Credits: The Wiz at La Jolla Playhouse, A Christmas Story: The Musical at Kansas City Rep. TV Credits: "Frasier," "Law & Order," "The Wayne Brady Show," and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." M.F.A.: University of California, Irvine. www.alanmingo.com.

TODD BUONOPANE (Lord Farquaad) appeared on Broadway as Roger in Grease and in the original Broadway Company of ...Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway, he was seen in Henry & Mudge, Don’t Quit Your Night Job and The Butter and Egg Man. Regional favorites include Mr. Snow in Carousel, Ralph Malph in Happy Days, Herschel in Gemini, The Musical (Barrymore nomination). Television/Film credits include the recurring role of Jeffrey Weinerslav on 30 Rock, The Black Donnellys, Law & Order: CI and the new film A Kiss For Jed Wood. BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Michigan. Special thanks to whole Shrek team and the boys at Talent House.

CREATIVE BIOGRAPHIES:

DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE (Book & Lyrics) was most recently nominated for two Tony Awards for his work on Shrek The Musical: Best Book of a Musical and Best Score (with composer Jeanine Tesori). Prior to that he was awarded the 2008 Ed Kleban Award as America’s most promising musical theatre lyricist and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Rabbit Hole, which premiered on Broadway at MTC’s Biltmore Theatre. Rabbit Hole also received five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play, and the Spirit of America Award. His other shows include Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World, High Fidelity and A Devil Inside, among others. In addition to his work in theatre, David's screen adaptation of Rabbit Hole is scheduled for release this Fall. It stars Nicole Kidman and is directed by John Cameron Mitchell. David is a proud New Dramatists alum, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Juilliard School, as well as a member of the WGA and the Dramatists Guild Council.

JEANINE TESORI (Music) has written four Tony-nominated scores for Broadway: Twelfth Night (Lincoln Center); Thoroughly Modern Millie (lyrics, Dick Scanlan); Caroline, or Change (lyrics, Tony Kushner), and Shrek The Musical (lyrics, David Lindsay-Abaire). The production of Caroline, or Change at the National Theater in London received the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Her first musical, Violet, written with Brian Crawley, received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1997. She has been the recipient of many other honors including Drama Desk and Obie Awards, and was cited by ASCAP as the first woman composer to have “two new musicals running concurrently on Broadway.” She composed the music for the New York Shakespeare Festival’s Mother Courage, as translated by Tony Kushner, starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline. She has written songs for the movie Shrek The Third. Her film scores include Nights in Rodanthe, Winds of Change, Show Business and Wrestling With Angels. She composed songs for the movie Disney DVD releases Mulan II, Lilo and Stitch II and The Little Mermaid III. She has produced sixty CD’s for Silver-Burdett Ginn’s Making Music and the original cast albums for Twelfth Night, Violet and Caroline, or Change. Ms. Tesori, a Barnard graduate, is on the council of the Dramatists Guild. Her next project is a new musical with the playwright Lisa Kron.

JASON MOORE (Director). Broadway: Shrek The Musical, Avenue Q, Steel Magnolias. Carnegie Hall: Jerry Springer: The Opera. Off-Broadway: Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue Q (the Vineyard), Guardians (the Culture Project), The Crumple Zone. Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, national tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV directing: episodes of “Dawson’s Creek,” “Everwood,” “One Tree Hill” and “Brothers and Sisters.” Jason has a BS in performance studies from Northwestern University.

ROB ASHFORD (Director) is director and choreographer of the current Broadway revival of Promises, Promises (Tony nomination, Best Choreography) starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth. Other Broadway credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002 Tony Award, Best Choreography), The Wedding Singer (Tony nomination), Curtains (Tony nomination), Cry-Baby (Tony nomination). In London, A Streetcar Named Desire starring Rachel Weisz at the Donmar Warehouse (Olivier nomination, Best Revival), Parade at the Donmar Warehouse (Olivier nominations for Direction and Choreography), Evita (Olivier nomination), Guys and Dolls (Olivier nomination), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Olivier nomination), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Once in a Lifetime (National Theatre). Other credits include Parade (Mark Taper Forum), Candide (English National Opera, La Scala, Milan, Chatelet, Paris), Tenderloin, Bloomer Girl, A Connecticut Yankee… and Pardon My English (Encores!). He provided choreography for the film Beyond the Sea directed by and starring Kevin Spacey. Mr. Ashford won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for his work on the “81st Annual Academy Awards,” and was recently appointed an Associate Director at The Donmar Warehouse in London.

JOSH PRINCE (Choreographer). Broadway: Shrek The Musical (Outer Critics Circle Nom). Off-Broadway: The Kid (The New Group). New York City: The Bridge Project (BAM/The Old Vic ’09/’10); The Jerry Springer Opera (w/Harvey Keitel) at Carnegie Hall; Camelot (w/Gabriel Byrne) with the NY Philharmonic at Lincoln Center (PBS); and All Singing All Dancing (Town Hall ‘09). Josh also recently had the pleasure of choreographing the 2010 Kennedy Center Spring Gala. Additional credits: Tales From The Bad Years (Theater Works Palo Alto, dir.); Calvin Berger (MTC 7@7 Series, Dir.); Emerald Man (NYMF, Dir.); Barnum (Dir.); Cabaret (Dir.); Guys and Dolls; One Way Ticket To Hell (Dir.); The Full Monty; The Big Funk (Dir.); La Boheme; Anything Goes and Singin’ In The Rain.

TIM HATLEY (Set, Costume & Puppet Design). Winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Costume Design for his work on Shrek The Musical. Winner of 2002 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Private Lives on Broadway. Winner of the 2002 Olivier Award for Humble Boy and Private Lives in the West End and a 1997 Olivier Award for Stanley at the Royal National Theatre. Broadway credits: Spamalot, Private Lives, Vincent in Brixton, The Crucible, Stanley. Film credits: Stage Beauty, Closer and Notes on a Scandal. Previous theatre work includes working with Theatre de Complicite, Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, English National Opera and London’s West End. Graduated from Central Saint Martins School of Art, London.

HUGH VANSTONE (Lighting) has designed lighting for plays, musicals and operas in London, New York and around the world. He has received three Olivier Awards for his work in London. New York credits: A Steady Rain (Schoenfeld), God of Carnage (Jacobs), Mary Stuart (Broadhurst Theatre – TONY & Drama Desk nominations for Best Lighting), Shrek The Musical (Broadway), Boeing-Boeing (Longacre); Spamalot (Shubert - TONY nomination for Best Lighting); Bombay Dreams (Broadway); Life (x) 3 (Circle in the Square); Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night and Hamlet (BAM); The Graduate (Plymouth); Follies (Belasco); Blast! (Broadway); The Unexpected Man (Promenade); The Blue Room (Cort); Closer (Music Box); Art (Royale).

PETER HYLENSKI (Sound Designer). Grammy, Tony and Olivier award nominated. Selected Broadway: Shrek the Musical; Rock of Ages; Lend Me A Tenor; Cry Baby; The Times They Are A-Changin; The Wedding Singer; Sweet Charity; Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me; Little Women; Brooklyn. Other credits: Le Reve: Wynn Las Vegas; Ragtime (West End); Walking with Dinosaurs; Mame; Opening Doors; The Scottsboro Boys; Annie. He has designed for Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden and The Kennedy Center. Recently Peter co-produced the cast album of Shrek, the Musical with Jeanine Tesori and was the re-record mixer on his fourth film for the American Museum of Natural History titled: Journey to the Stars.

DREAMWORKS THEATRICALS (Producer) was established in 2007 by DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (NASDAQ: DWA) to produce stage productions based on its films and other original and adapted works. Bill Damaschke serves as President of DreamWorks Theatricals and Co-President of Production for DWA. DWA is devoted to producing high-quality family entertainment through the use of computer-generated (CG) animation. DWA’s current and upcoming film slate includes How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek Forever After and Megamind; past titles include Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs. Aliens. Shrek was the winner of the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Jeffrey Katzenberg currently serves as DWA’s CEO and on the Board of Directors and was a co-founder of DreamWorks Studios in 1994. Shrek the Musical is DWA’s first venture in legitimate theatre.

NEAL STREET PRODUCTIONS (Producer) formed in 2003 by Sam Mendes, Caro Newling and Pippa Harris to produce film and theatre. Films: Revolutionary Road, Jarhead, Stuart: A Life Backwards, Starter for Ten, Things We Lost in the Fire. Theatre: The Bridge Project with Brooklyn Academy of Music/Old Vic Theatre, Mary Stuart, West End Premiere of Three Days of Rain, Sunday in the Park with George, The Vertical Hour. Mendes and Newling established and ran the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, London, 1992 to 2002, originating some 70 productions including, on Broadway, The Blue Room, Electra, True West and the Tony Award winners Cabaret, The Real Thing, Take Me Out. www.nealstreetproductions.com

ABOUT DREAMWORKS ANIMATION. DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE^® Magazine for two consecutive years. In 2010, DreamWorks Animation ranks #6 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 19 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming feature film releases for 2010 are Shrek Forever After and Megamind.

For more information, visit www.ShrekTheMusical.com or www.DallasSummerMusicals.org. Join the award-winning Shrekster.com, the Official Fan community of Shrek The Musical delivering news, media and exclusive contests to fans of the Shrek Series and Shrek the Musical. Log in and join your city group for access to the most up to date news, information and member’s only exclusive content from Shrek and Donkey’s first “whirlwind, big city adventure” across the country: www.shrekster.com/dallas.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are WFAA TV Channel 8 and American Airlines. Now celebrating its 70^th season, Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States, and the sixth largest non-profit theater company. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theatre entertainment since 1941. In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

As a non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatres, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the DSM Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, visit their website at www.DallasSummerMusicals.org or call (214) 421-5678.

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For media information about this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

CHICAGO HAS A NEW BABY SHREK!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:49:00 +0000

CHICAGOAN ERIC PETERSEN

‘SHREK’ FROM SHREK THE MUSICAL

AND WIFE LISA MORABITO PETERSEN

GIVE BIRTH TO BABY SOPHIA MARIE

CHICAGO (July 16, 2010) — After just two days of preview performances as the loveable green ogre ‘Shrek’ in SHREK THE MUSICAL, Chicagoan Eric Petersen and his wife Lisa Morabito Petersen proudly gave birth to their own beautiful baby. Sophia Marie Petersen, weighing 8 lbs, 7 ounces and 20.5 inches long, was born at 5:12 p.m., Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial’s Prentice Women’s Hospital.

The proud parents and baby are happy and doing well. It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for them, as they relocated to Chicago for the opening of the National Tour, interviewed their new delivery doctor Patricia Katz, MD, all while Eric and company prepared the show for the official opening at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Sunday, July 25^th. The pending event has given extra energy and excitement to the cast and crew as they shouldered the intensely grueling schedule required to open a tour.

Eric Petersen is a native of Carol Stream, Illinois, where he attended Glenbard North High School. He received a BS in Theatre Performance from Bradley University in Peoria. He joined the National tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL from the Broadway production. He recently appeared as the socially challenged ‘Barfee’ in the National tour of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Lisa Morabito Petersen, also a performer, is from Winter Garden, Florida.

SHREK THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize^® winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change), and is directed by Tony Award^® nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Tony and Emmy Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Promises Promises). SHREK THE MUSICAL has set and costume designs by Tony Award^® winner Tim Hatley (Private Lives, Spamalot), lighting design by Olivier Award winner Hugh Vanstone (A Steady Rain), sound design by Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages); choreography by Josh Prince, music supervision by Tim Weil, music direction by Andy Grobengieser, and orchestrations by Danny Troob & John Clancy.

Individual tickets to SHREK THE MUSICAL, playing now thru September 5^th, are $25 - $90 and are on sale now. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Groups of 10 or more should call (312) 977-1710.

The chart-topping original Broadway cast album for SHREK THE MUSICAL is available on Decca Broadway.

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

(NASDAQ: DWA)

For more information, visit www.ShrekTheMusical.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Join the award-winning Shrekster.com, the Official Fan community of Shrek The Musical delivering news, media and exclusive contests to fans of the Shrek Series and Shrek the Musical. Log in and join your city group for access to the most up to the date news, information and member’s only exclusive content form Shrek and Donkey’s first “whirlwind, big city adventure” across the country: www.shrekster.com/chicago.

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For images, email mwilmoth@korshak.com or kmartin@korshak.com

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:30:00 +0000

For Immediate Release

“All You Got To Do Is Dream”

NATIONAL TOUR OF THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL
MAKES ITS DALLAS PREMIERE, PRESENTED BY DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS AT MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK
JUNE 30 – JULY 18

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

DALLAS, TX…Producer John Breglio and Dallas Summer Musicals have announced tickets for the smash hit musical DREAMGIRLS are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $20 to $85 and will be available at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, all Ticketmaster outlets, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787). Group orders of 15 or more may be placed by calling 214-426-GROUP.

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Hopeful talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as The Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor, Jr. discovers them. He lands them a job as backup singers for the soul and rock ‘n’ roll sensation James “Thunder” Early and begins to guide their quickly rising career. However, when the beautiful Deena emerges as the star of the group rather than the full-voiced Effie, the girls are brought to personal and professional crossroads.

DREAMGIRLS will introduce Moya Angela as Effie White and feature, as The Dreams, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory as James “Thunder” Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison in a cast of 26 that also features Tallia Brinson, Felicia Boswell, Ronald Duncan, Patrice Covington, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith and Marc Spaulding.

DREAMGIRLS is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch. DREAMGIRLS features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen with additional material by Willy Reale. DREAMGIRLS is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions.

The original Broadway production of DREAMGIRLS opened December 20, 1981, at the Imperial Theatre and won six Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 1982. It closed on Broadway August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The original Broadway production was directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Bennett and Michael Peters. DREAMGIRLS was adapted into a motion picture by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and opened in December 2006. The film won two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, and two Screen Actor’s Guild Awards in 2007 in addition to a Grammy Award for Best Song written for a Motion Picture (“Love You I Do”). The most popular song from the film, “Listen,” has been incorporated into the new stage version of DREAMGIRLS as a stirring Act II duet for Deena and Effie. This all-new production of DREAMGIRLS premiered at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater in New York City on November 22, 2009, before embarking on an international tour.

DREAMGIRLS will play June 30 through July 18 at Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Wednesday, June 30 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 1 – 2 and 8 p.m. (Official press opening is 8 p.m. July 1)
Friday, July 2 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 3 – 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 4 - 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 6 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 7 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 8 – 8 p.m.
Friday, July 9 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 10 – 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 11 – 2 and 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 13 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 14 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 15 – 2 and 8 p.m.
Friday, July 16 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 17 – 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 18 – 2 p.m. (closing performance)

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

For more information, please visit the official DREAMGIRLS website at www.DreamgirlsOnStage.com. For up-to-date information about DSM, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

####

For media information about this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

National Tap Dance Celebration at Music Hall During Wicked

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:53:00 +0000

National Tap Dance Celebration 2010

“Preserving, promoting and celebrating America’s unique form of dance”

For the fourth year Dance Council of North Texas and Dallas Summer Musicals join forces to present The Tap Dancing Tribute. Five evening performances, July 15 - 19 before this season’s most requested Broadway hit show, Wicked will be on tap at The Music Hall under the canopy of trees in Fair Park.

Are you ready for some WICKED Tap Dancing?

W onderful

I ntricate

C lever

K ick up your Heels!

Every night from 7:00 - 7: 45 PM before the show

D elightful

Katelyn Harris is choreographing 2010 The Hoofin’ Crew, an exciting group of young people, who serve as hosts at each performance. Katelyn Harris is in her fourth year with Tapestry in Austin Texas, the only contracted tap dance company in North America. Through her work with Tapestry she has studied and worked with some of the finest tap dancing masters in the country including Acia Gray of Austin.

Special guests will be Brenna Kuhn, tap dancer, and Michael Stevens, jazz and r&b bassist. They blend their talents in a musical dialogue through spontaneous and energetic improvisation. Their performances have been called “daring, full of twists and turns” that have the audience holding its breath. Plans are being confirmed to offer two master classes in body percussion.

Back by popular request are The Evening Stars from McKinney performing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” Dana’s Dance Academy of Irving will celebrate their 25^th Anniversary with “A Cappella Tap” by California choreographer, Keith Clifton.

Keira Leverton, winner of DCNT 2010 Gene, Louise & Fred Kelly Teacher Scholarship, will perform as well as Rhythm Delivery Dance Ensemble. Doug Voet, DSM Director of Production and Operations, will serve as MC. Karen Cooper is Stage Manager and Trent Bauer will handle sound.

To close the Pre-Show, everyone in the audience is invited to get in the act and do the National Anthem of Tap, led by Buster Cooper, the 86 year-young-dance-legend. The free Pre- Show features dynamic, fresh and vigorous performers representing the finest area tap dancers:

The Drawbacks Youth Ensemble (Dallas)

Dallas Contemporary Ballet School

Dove Academy of Dance Arts (Richardson)

Class Act Dance Company (Dallas)

Next Step Performing Arts (Frisco)

The Rhythm Junkies (Dallas)

London School of Dance, (Garland)

iNStep Dancers, Dallas

Dance Council of North Texas 2010 Tap Dancing Scholarship Recipients will showcase their awesome skills including

Rheagan Carroll, age 15, from Tyler, Texas and recipient of Gene Pflug Scholarship;

Lauren Kravitz, age 17, from Plano and recipient Margaret Rylatt Scholarship;

Karissa Royster, age 16, from San Antonio and recipient of Buster Cooper Scholarship.

Dancers are available for media appearances. For photos and information contact Pam Deslorieux at Dance Council of North Texas at 214-219-2290. Sponsors for Dance Council of North Texas include Curtain Call Costumes, Sandy’s Shoes & Dancewear, Capezio Foundation, Heritage Galleries and Auctioneers, Downtown Business News, Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Dallas, and Texas Commission on the Arts.

Menopause The Musical coming to The Majestic

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:48:00 +0000

Hot Flash!

The Off-Broadway Smash Hit

“Menopause The Musical®”

Comes to The Majestic Theatre in Dallas

June 3-6, 2010

May 2010 – It’s time to kick-up those high heels. The international hit show Menopause The Musical^® is returning to Dallas and will be presented as a subscribers’ special for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, at The Majestic Theatre in Dallas June 3-6, 2010.

Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra, meet by chance at a lingerie sale. The cast laughs at their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. A sisterhood is created between these diverse women as they realize that menopause is no longer The Silent Passage! It is a stage in every woman’s life that is perfectly normal!

Menopause The Musical^® is the work of writer and producer, Jeanie Linders. The laughter-filled 90-minute production includes parodies from the classics of the ‘60s and ‘70s and ‘80s. Disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” becomes “Stayin’ Awake,” Motown favorite “My Girl” is transformed into “My Thighs,” "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" switches to "In the Guest Room or on the Sofa, My Husband Sleeps at Night,” and “Puff The Magic Dragon” becomes the anthem to exercise, “Puff, My God I’m Draggin’”.

Thursday and Friday performances at 8:00 pm

Saturday performances at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Sunday performance at 2:00 pm

Single tickets, priced from $16-$50, are on sale now at The Box Office,

542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all Ticketmaster outlets including The Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm Street in Dallas. Tickets are also on sale by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 20 or more, please call 214-426-GROUP.

Menopause The Musical^® has launched a women’s movement that has superseded entertainment and become a must-see event. It is estimated that nearly 11 million women have attended a performance since the 2001 opening in Orlando, Florida. Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer and producer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change”. "Most women know intuitively that every other woman is experiencing hot flashes or night sweats,“ says Linders. "There is always a close friend or two who can sympathize or identify with her, but when they are sitting in a theatre with hundreds of other women, all laughing and shouting‚ 'That’s me! That’s me on stage!' they know what they are experiencing is normal. They aren’t alone…or crazy. It becomes a sisterhood."

Since its first performance, the show has evolved as a grassroots movement of women who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges that result from the mental, physical, and spiritual freedom of being a woman. “It may not be Shakespeare, but our focus is different. We want to bring women together and empower them. This is an event – a happening,” says Kathi Glist, one of the show’s producers. “It resonates with just about any woman over 40, but it is enjoyed by all. And the men laugh just as hard,” she adds.

Menopause The Musical^® has entertained audiences across the country in more than 250 cities and in a total of 14 countries. Internationally, the show has visited Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa, and South Korea. Each week women of all ages and stages find their spirits lifted by the show’s light-hearted look at menopause. No longer is it The Silent Passage! Visit www.MenopauseTheMusical.com or www.dallassummermusicals.org for more information.

###

For media information or reviewers’ passes, or to schedule interviews, please contact Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or email joannholt@gmail.com.

Wicked Lottery - $25 Tickets

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:11:00 +0000

WICKED ANNOUNCES LOTTERY FOR $25 SEATS

* * *
PERFORMANCES BEGIN WEDNESDAY MAY 26
AT MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held daily for WICKED, which will be performing from May 26 to June 27 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. Each day, 2½ hours prior to show time, people who present themselves at the Music Hall box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum and then thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the Music Hall box office, with a limit of two tickets per person.

WICKED is a new musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Disney’s Enchanted, Academy Award winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”) based on the 1995 best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire. The musical is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who’s Tommy, How To Succeed…). WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One – born with emerald green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

WICKED begins performances Wednesday, May 26 at 8 p.m. and runs through Sunday, June 27. All performances will be at the Music Hall at Fair Park; for a complete schedule of performances, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org. Single tickets for the return engagement, priced from $35-$145, are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all area Ticketmaster locations. Best seats are available for week night performances, Sunday evening performances, and for the matinee at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 27. Tickets are also available by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com/wicked. Groups of 20 or more should call 214-426-GROUP (4767).
# # #

Wicked Exhibit at The Shops at Willow Bend

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:35:00 +0000

CONTACT: Amy Medford

Marketing & Sponsorship Director

The Shops at Willow Bend

972-202-7115

amedford@taubman.com

THE SHOPS AT WILLOW BEND

PRESENTS A ‘THRILLIFYING’ LIVE PERFORMANCE BY WICKED CAST MEMBERS AND AUTOGRAPH SESSION ON SATURDAY, JUNE 5

PLANO, Texas, May 14, 2010 – On Saturday, June 5 at 11:00 a.m., two members from the cast of Wicked, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, will present a free live performance at The Shops at Willow Bend. The performance will feature two songs and will be held in Grand Court near Neiman Marcus. It will be followed by an autograph session with the cast members.

The June 5 event is part of the partnership between The Shops at Willow Bend and Wicked which is now playing through Sunday, June 27^th at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas.

In addition to the live performance, the spellbinding specials at The Shops at Willow Bend include:

• “The World of Wicked” display in the mall’s Grand Court now through June 13, where visitors can walk through Glinda the Good’s bubble, view the “Behind the Emerald Curtain” museum display and take a photo in Oz;

• Wicked shopping deals via the “Passport to Oz,” offering discounts and/or specials from more than 30 participating retailers at The Shops at Willow Bend (“Passports” available at the Wicked set in Grand Court or at Concierge Center).

• Weekly drawings for Wicked prizes; shoppers simply drop their “Passport to

The Shops at Willow Bend Wicked Performance/2

Oz” into the Wicked Witch cauldron for a chance to win dozens of weekly prizes. Drawings take place Sundays, May 23 and 30, June 6 and 13;

• Giveaways courtesy of the Wicked Street Team, who will visit The Shops at Willow Bend every Friday morning and afternoon, and all day Saturday and

Sunday [through Sunday, June 13], to hand out free Wicked-themed products such as lip balm, picture frames, music downloads and more;

• Wicked merchandise (T-shirts, hats, accessories, etc.) will be available for purchase at The Concierge Center.

Winner of 35 major awards, including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

WICKED is now playing through Sunday, June 27 at the Music Hall in Dallas; for a complete schedule of performances, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org. Great seats are still available. Tickets can be purchased at the Ticketmaster retail outlet in the Concierge Center, located on the lower level near Macy’s. For more information, please call 972-202-7110 or visit dallassummermusicals.org.

The Shops at Willow Bend is one of several Taubman-owned malls around the country to feature the Wicked production and related promotional offerings over the next year and a half. Taubman’s portfolio of regional and super-regional shopping centers is recognized as the finest and most productive collection of upscale shopping centers in the United States.

The Shops at Willow Bend is located at the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and West Park Boulevard and features more than 150 stores, restaurants and services plus four anchors: Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Dillard’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. For more information about stores, restaurants or events at The Shops at Willow Bend, call 972-202-4900 or visit www.shopwillowbend.com.

For more information on Wicked, visit www.wickedthemusical.com or www.dallassummermusicals.org.

# # #

Shrek Cast Announced!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:42:00 +0000

Ashford to Co-Direct SHREK Tour; Cast Announced

by BWW

Producers DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are thrilled to announce casting for SHREK THE MUSICAL. Native Chicagoan, Eric Petersen will lead the First National Tour cast as Shrek. The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning SHREK THE MUSICAL will launch its national tour in Chicago beginning July 13 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.). Tickets are currently on sale.

In addition, Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune has revealed that PROMISES, PROMISES director/choreographer Rob Ashford will co-direct the production alongside Jason Moore, who helmed the Broadway installment.

The role of everyone's favorite swamp-dwelling ogre, Shrek will be played by Eric Petersen, who joins the tour from the Broadway production. He recently appeared as the socially challenged Barfee in the National tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Haven Burton, also from the Broadway Company will play the feisty Princess Fiona. Haven previously played Margo the Dog Whisperer on Broadway in Legally Blonde and understudied Elle Wood. Alan Mingo, Jr. is Shrek's lovably annoying best friend Donkey. He was an original company member of The Little Mermaid where he played the role of Sebastian, and prior to that played the role of Tom Collins in RENT on Broadway.

Rounding out the cast of misfit fairy tale characters, the peoples of Duloc and Far, Far Away are: Joe Abraham, Holly Ann Butler, Carrie Compere, Emily Cramer, Tyrone Davis, Jr., Sandra DeNise, Aymee Garcia, Brian Gonzales, Justin Greer, Lisa Ho, Benjamin Howes, Mara Newbery, Denny Paschall, Sarah Peak, Morgan Rose, Blakely Slaybaugh and David F.M. Vaughn.

"The touring cast is particularly strong, with several members joining from the Broadway Company. We are delighted that the title character Shrek will be played by Chicago native Eric Petersen, who expects audiences full of friends and family throughout the run," said Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals.

An entirely new musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL is based on the story and characters from William Steig's book Shrek!, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, the first chapter of the Shrek movie series.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales.

SHREK THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize® winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change), and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Tony and Emmy Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Promises Promises). SHREK THE MUSICAL has set and costume designs by Tony Award® winner Tim Hatley (Private Lives, Spamalot), lighting design by Olivier Award winner Hugh Vanstone (A Steady Rain), sound design by Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages); choreography by Josh Prince, music supervision by Tim Weil, music direction by Andy Grobengieser, and orchestrations by Danny Troob & John Clancy.

SHREK THE MUSICAL was initiated when Sam Mendes, a big fan of the first Shrek film, suggested the idea of creating a musical to DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg around the time the second film was in production. The musical is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals and Co-President of Production for DreamWorks Animation) and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling).

Individual tickets to SHREK THE MUSICAL are $25 - $90 and are on sale now. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Groups of 10 or more should call (312) 977-1710.

Little House on the Prairie is coming to our home!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:27:00 +0000

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

THE MUSICAL

WITH

MELISSA GILBERT

AS MA

WILL BE PRESENTED BY DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS

AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK MAY 11-23

**************************************************************************

DALLAS, TX…LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals May 11-23 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing ‘Laura’ in the hugely successful NBC television series “Little House on the Prairie” during the 1970s, now continues her legacy ‘on the prairie’ by taking on the role of Ma. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE will also star Steve Blanchard as Pa and Kara Lindsay as Laura.

Single tickets for the Dallas Summer Musicals engagement of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE are priced from $15-$71, and are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all Ticketmaster locations; tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787). For groups of 15 or more call 214-426-GROUP.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL with Gilbert, Blanchard and Lindsay, had its world premiere production in August, 2008 at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, where it shattered all box-office records and sold-out for 12 consecutive weeks. Initiated for the stage by Adrianne Lobel (Frog and Toad) and Francesca Zambello, the show is directed by Zambello (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), with music by Academy Award® winner Rachel Portman (Emma), lyrics by Donna di Novelli and a book by Tony Award® winner Rachel Sheinkin (The 25^TH Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee). Michele Lynch is choreographer and Kevin Stites is musical supervisor.

The producers of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL are Ben Sprecher, Amy Sprecher, Louise Forlenza, Bob Boyett, Jay Harris, William Franzblau, Tony Fusco, Larry Feinman, Peter W. Bezemes, Friendly Theatrical LLC, Jon B. Platt, Wendy Federman, Michael Filerman, Marc Schwartz, Karl Sydow and Nelle Nugent, in association with Bob Reich and Sharon Carr.

The production includes scenic design by Adrianne Lobel, lighting design by Mark McCullough, costumes by Tony Award winner Jess Goldstein, sound design by Carl Casella and wig/hair design by Charles LaPointe. Richard Carsey serves as music director, orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and dance and incidental music arrangements are by Michael Dansicker, with additional vocal and incidental music by Kevin Stites.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL is the uplifting story of an American family forging a new life amidst the mighty challenges, heartbreaks, joys and triumphs that face them in the newly-settled heartland. It is also the story of young Laura Ingalls, as she begins her life as a young woman, finding purpose, and finding love. Above all, it is the celebration of the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded – a spirit that still resonates today.

MELISSA GILBERT (Caroline “Ma” Ingalls). Theatre: Off-Broadway: A Shayna Maidel (Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards); Regional: Love Letters (Canon Theater, LA); The Glass Menagerie (Chautauqua Theater Company); The Miracle Worker (Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Palm Beach); Bus Stop and Love Letters (Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville); Little House on the Prairie, the Musical (Guthrie). Television: Series lead in “Little House on the Prairie,” starred in more than 40 movies for television, including Emmy Award-winning The Miracle Worker, and more than a dozen television series, including “Nip/Tuck,” and “Sweet Justice.” Ms. Gilbert served as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001–05, and is currently the Standing Board Chair and Spokesperson for the Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition. Ms. Gilbert is also a New York Times best-selling author with the recent publication of her autobiography, Prairie Tale - A Memoir, from Simon & Schuster.

STEVE BLANCHARD (Charles “Pa” Ingalls). Broadway: Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, A Christmas Carol, The Three Musketeers; Off-Broadway: Frankenstein, Johnny Guitar, An Oak Tree; National tours: Camelot, Phantom of the Opera, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; Repertory Theatre of St. Louis: Esmeralda; Baltimore’s CenterStage: Sleep of Reason; Charles Playhouse, Boston: The Threepenny Opera; Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C.: Hot Mikado, Godspell; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical; Paper Mill Playhouse: Chess; Theatre Under The Stars, Houston: Chess. Film/Television Law at Randado, Rapmaser Ronnie, Warlords 3000, “Third Watch,” “Law and Order,” “Ed,” “Police Story,” “Sunset Beat,” “One Life to Live,” “Guiding Light,” “Another World.”Original cast recordings Johnny Guitar, Sundown, Frankenstein; debut solo CD Northbound Train.

KARA LINDSAY (Laura Ingalls). Theatre: Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Quilters; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical; 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle: Lone Star Love; West Virginia Public Theatre:Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Hello, Dolly!; Carnegie Mellon University: Side Show, After Miss Julie, Hello Again, Oresteia. Training B.F.A., Acting/Musical Theater, Carnegie Mellon University

FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO (Director). Theatre Broadway: Disney’s The Little Mermaid; London: Royal Albert Hall: Showboat; West End: Napoleon; Raimund Theater, Vienna: a new musical based on Rebecca; Seattle Children’s Theatre: Tibet Through the Red Box; Bregenz’s floating stage: West Side Story; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical. Old Globe: First Wives Club, Skylight Music Theater: artistic director, 1984-91; Opera: Metropolitan Opera: An American Tragedy (world premiere), Cyrano de Bergerac (with Placido Domingo), Les Troyens; Teatro alla Scala: Cyrano; Washington National and San Francisco Operas: The Ring, San Francisco Opera: artistic advisor; Royal Albert Hall: La Bohème; The Bolshoi: Fiery Angel; Chicago Lyric Opera: Salome; Royal Opera House: Carmen, Don Giovanni; Paris Opera: Boris Godunov, War and Peace, Billy Budd, William Tell; Film War and Peace (ORF), Amahl and the Night Visitors (BBC), The Little Prince (BBC/PBS). Awards: Three Olivier Awards; two Evening Standard Awards for best musical and best opera; two French Grand Prix des Critiques; Japanese Golden Prize; Helpmann Award; Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres; Russian Federation’s medal for Service to Culture; the Palme d’Or in Germany; the Golden Mask in Russia. Education: Colgate University; Moscow University. www.francescazambello.com

RACHEL PORTMAN (Music). Theatre: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical. Film: Grey Gardens, The Duchess, Emma, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, Infamous, The Manchurian Candidate, Oliver Twist, The Lake House, Nicholas Nickleby, Hart’s War, The Human Stain, Life is Sweet, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Beloved, Home Fries, Addicted to Love, Marvin’s Room, Only You, The Road to Wellville, Sirens, Benny & Joon, The Joy Luck Club, Used People, Smoke, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, Where Angels Fear to Tread. Opera/concert: The Little Prince, The Water Diviner’s Tale. Awards: Academy Award for Best Original Score for Emma; Academy Award nominations for The Cider House Rules and Chocolat; British Film Institute’s Young Composer of the Year Award.

DONNA DI NOVELLI (Lyrics). Musical Theater/Opera: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical (lyrics); Florida (book and lyrics) Lyric Opera Cleveland, Public Theater’s New Work Now, New York City Opera’s VOX; No God but Yearning (book and lyrics) Public Theater’s New Work Now, Joe’s Pub. Theater: The First Eff (stage play) Mark Taper Forum, Duende Arts. Dance: Twelve Dancing Princesses (text) Los Angeles Modern Dance and Ballet. Commissions: San Francisco Opera; Chanticleer; BBC. Publications New Monologues For Women by Women (Heinemann Press), NuMuse, Brown University. Awards: Manhattan Theatre Club Fellowship, Rockefeller Foundation residency in Bellagio, Italy; National Musical Theater Conference residency, the Mac Dowell Colony and the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Professional Affiliations: ASCAP, Dramatists Guild. Teaching: Bookwriting, Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts; Playwriting, National Theater Institute, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center; Visiting professor, Brown University. Training: M.F.A., Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Ira Gershwin Fellow); A.M., Brown University.

RACHEL SHEINKIN (Book) Recent work includes Broadway: The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Tony, Drama Desk awards); Off Broadway: Striking 12 (Lucille Lortel nomination), off-off: Serenade. Regional: Guthrie, Little House on the Prairie, the Musical; Center Theater Group, Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Los Angeles Ovation Award); London: Blood Drive. Residencies, fellowships, commissions include: Eugene O’Neill National Theater Center, Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, MacDowell Colony, Manhattan Theatre Club, Deaf West, McCarter Theatre, Playwrights Horizons. Rachel is a volunteer mentor for TDF’s Open Doors program, a visiting instructor at Yale School of Drama, and adjunct faculty member of NYU’s Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.

MICHELE LYNCH (Choreographer). Paper Mill Playhouse: Happy Days. Broadway: The Coast of Utopia (Choreographer), Hairspray and The Full Monty (Associate Choreographer), Urinetown (Asst. Choreographer). Off-Broadway: Everyday Rapture (Second Stage), NYMF: Idaho; Yale Rep: Rough Crossing; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie; Asolo Theatre: Pride & Prejudice; Mark Taper Forum: 13; St Louis MUNY: Breakfast at Tiffany’s; Stanford Center for the Arts: Empire; North Carolina Theatre: South Pacific; Ford Center: Leading Ladies; has traveled around the world setting companies of Hairspray and The Full Monty. Film: CAMP. Awards: Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Happy Days at Goodspeed Opera House; Garland Award for 13.

KEVIN STITES (Music Supervision, Additional Vocals, Incidental Music). Broadway: Tale of Two Cities, Color Purple, Titanic, Sunset Boulevard, Pamela’s First Musical, Children and Art, Les Misérables, Threepenny Opera, Fiddler, Nine, Oklahoma!, On the Town. National tours: Color Purple, Martin Guerre, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Titanic. Guest conductor: Grant Park Symphony, Guys and Dolls and Les Miserables at Hollywood Bowl. TV/Film: “Rosie Live,” Reefer Madness and others.

Little House on the Prairie, the Musical with Melissa Gilbert as “Ma,” will open Tuesday, May 11 at 8 p.m. All performances are at the Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Tuesday May 11 8 p.m.

Wednesday May 12 8 p.m.

Thursday May 13 8 p.m.

Friday May 14 8 p.m.

Saturday May 15 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday May 16 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday May 17 8 p.m.

Wednesday May 18 8 p.m.

Thursday May 19 8 p.m.

Friday May 20 2 and 8 p.m.

Saturday May 21 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday May 22 2 p.m.

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be WICKED, May 26-June 27; DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18; and the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

# # #

National Tour Press Representative:

Type A Marketing

Jenna Gilfoil

212-307-0800

Local Press Representative:

Jo Ann Holt

DSM publicist

469-363-7371

Xanadu Gets a Rave Review!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Theater review: Summer Musicals' 'Xanadu' beats Broadway version
11:22 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 6, 2010
By LAWSON TAITTE / The Dallas Morning News
ltaitte@dallasnews.com

They've turned lots of old movies into musicals. Xanadu sets the record for improvement; it's the best musical from the worst film.

The 1980 Olivia Newton-John stinkeroo did produce a lot of hits by Electric Light Orchestra's Jeff Lynne and the star's favorite songwriter, John Farrar. Two seasons ago, a stage version opened on Broadway with a new book by comic playwright Douglas Carter Beane (who penned Give It Up! for the Dallas Theater Center earlier this year). It was a surprise hit with critics and audiences alike. The national tour hit the Dallas Summer Musicals on Tuesday with an explosive bang.

This company belongs to the growing number of tours that actually play better on the road than they did on the Great White Way. Many Broadway producers seem to feel they must cast names recognizable to New York audiences, and that's a limited pool of talent. You can't really call many of these performers stars in the old sense, and the shows surely aren't tailored to them. Fortunately for us out here in the sticks, the producers feel free to use less-familiar faces, sometimes much more able in their roles, on tour.

Thus, the gorgeous Anika Larsen, as the muse Clio who falls in love with a California painter, really looks like a goddess and sounds like one, too. As the clueless artist, Danny, Max von Essen is funnier and more consistent in his Valley Boy accent (and a more secure singer) than his Broadway predecessor.

The superiority in this production continues pretty much all the way down the line. Natasha Yvette Williams and Annie Golden are especially delicious as the comic villains. As the aging owner of the building Danny wants to turn into a roller derby, Larry Williams turns a dreary role into a lovable one.

Xanadu played in the smallest house on Broadway, but it feels liberated, rather than dwarfed, in the immensity of Fair Park Music Hall. The audience catches all of Beane's well-crafted in-jokes. This is one self-reflective musical that doesn't take itself too seriously, or seriously at all.

Thanks to Christopher Ashley's witty direction and Dan Knechtges' inventive choreography, Xanadu might just be the best time you have at a musical this season.

PLAN YOUR LIFE: Through April 18 at Fair Park Music Hall. Runs 100 mins. $15 to $71. Ticketmaster at 214-631-2787, www.ticketmaster.com

To see the review on The Dallas Morning News' website, follow this link: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-xanadu08_0408gd.State.Edition1.41785f7.html

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber comes to Dallas!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:11:00 +0000

THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
PRESENTED BY DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS,
COMES TO THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK April 20-25

Dallas, TX…The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a special production of Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, comes to the Music Hall at Fair Park April 20-25. Tickets, ranging in price from $15-$71, are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any area TicketMaster location, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787). Tickets for groups of 15 or more are available by calling 214-426-GROUP.

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber will star six performers who are noted interpreters of Lloyd Webber’s music and well known to Broadway fans: David Josefsberg (Les Misérables, Grease); Kevin Kern (Wicked, Les Misérables); Howard McGillin (The Phantom of the Opera, Bounce); Charlie Pollock, (Nine to Five the Musical, Urinetown); Laurie Gayle Stephenson (The Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line;, and Kathy Voytko (Nine, Oklahoma!); Shoshana Bean, (Hairspray, Wicked); and Deone Zanotto (A Chorus Line, Zorba).

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is a grand concert showcasing the Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning composer’s biggest and most memorable hits. A full onstage symphony orchestra will accompany the soloists, recreating countless extraordinary moments and thrills created by one of the most acclaimed composers of our time. It will be an evening to revisit such legendary musicals as Cats, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Whistle Down the Wind, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and more.

Presented by Jeffrey Finn Productions, this new version of the concert was personally devised by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Following a sold-out engagement at the Kennedy Center, The Washington Post raved, "Very impressive. The hits come crashing at you in an evening dedicated to crescendo and climax."

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is presented by special arrangement with The Really Useful Group. The creative and design teams for this engagement will reunite the team behind the 2004 production: director Tom Kosis, musical supervisor and conductor Edward G. Robinson, lighting designer Brian Nason and sound designer Lucas J. Corrubia, Jr. Robinson, who will be center stage conducting the 30-member orchestra, has a long history working on Andrew Lloyd Webber shows including Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and previous tours of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER is the composer of The Likes of Us, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, By Jeeves, Evita, Variations and Tell Me on a Sunday, Song & Dance, Cats, Starlight Express, The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, The Beautiful Game and The Woman in White. He composed the film scores of Gumshoe and The Odessa File and Requiem, a setting of the Latin Requiem Mass, for which he won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Composition. He has also produced in the West End and on Broadway, not only his own work, but the Olivier Award-winning plays La Bête and Daisy Pulls It Off. In 2004 he produced the film version of The Phantom of the Opera. In 2006 he oversaw a new London production of Evita, Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular and pioneered television casting for musical theater with the hit BBC series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?” which won an International Emmy. He followed this with the equally successful series Any Dream Will Do. His awards include seven Tonys, three Grammys, six Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, an International Emmy, the Praemium Imperiale and the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre. He was knighted in 1992 and made an honorary life peer in 1997. He’s a 2006 Kennedy Center Honoree.

DAVID JOSEFSBERG’s Broadway credits include The Wedding Singer, Grease, Les Misérables and On The Twentieth Century. Off- Broadway credits include Altar Boyz (Drama League nomination), Joys of Sex and Night Blooming Jasmine. He has been touring both Europe and the United States for the past year with comedy legend, Stephen Lynch. He has been performing his own original material, as well as songs co-written with Lynch and Jeff Gurner (Carnegie Hall, Central Park, Vegas and Miami comedy festivals). Josefsberg was seen as TV icon Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli on NBC’s The Mork and Mindy Story, and in the films Limbo and Carlito’s Way. Josefsberg is rejoining The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber after most recently performing the show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

HOWARD McGILLIN is best known for his record-setting title appearance in The Phantom of the Opera, a role he performed more than 2,500 times on Broadway. He appeared in Stephen Sondheim’s musical Bounce and was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for his performance. His Broadway and West End credits include Kiss of the Spider Woman, She Loves Me, Mack and Mabel, The Secret Garden, Anything Goes (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Tony and Drama Desk nominations, Theatre World Award) and Sunday in the Park with George. On tour, he has played in Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby. His numerous televised concerts include Stephen Sondheim's Follies, Kennedy Center Honors and the Boston Pops. He has also provided voices for animated films such as South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and The Swan Princess. He released a solo CD, Howard McGillin: Where Time Stands Still.
CHARLIE POLLOCK originated the role of “Dwayne Rhodes” in 9 to 5 the Musical and played “Bobby Strong” in Urinetown, The Musical on Broadway. He also originated the role of “Bobby Strong” in the first national tour of Urinetown. He starred as “Paul Bertolet” in Carnival, at The Paper Mill Playhouse and played “Dwayne” in 9 to 5 at the Ahmanson Theatre in L.A. Some of his off-Broadway credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Original company of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…Boom!, Don’t Quit You Night Job, The Last Starfighter (world premier), “Ken Star” in Monica the Musical!, Loot, Lola, Opus Profundum and Cock and Bull Story(NY premier). Across the country Charlie has appeared as “Steve Jobs” in Nerds! The Musical, “Jerry Lukowski” in The Full Monty, “Judas” in Jesus Christ Superstar, “Jesus” in Godspell, “Tommy” in The Who’s Tommy and “Eddie” in King of the Moon. He worked with Stephen King and John Mellencamp on their new musical The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, and played Maffio in the new musical Dangerous Beauty, written by Grammy Award winner Amanda Mcbroom. His TV/Film credits include the recurring role of Bud Mcgann on “As the World Turns”, “P.S. I Love You” with Hilary Swank, the Palm Springs Film Festival award-winning, “Walking Charley”, “Law and Order”, and “The Guiding Light” Please visit www.charliepollock.com.

LAURIE GAYLE STEPHENSON made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning The Secret Garden. The Dallas native starred for two years on Broadway as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. Stephenson made her debut as Christine with the first national touring company at the Kennedy Center. She was an original cast member of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert, touring the U.S. singing opposite Michael Crawford. She was part of Stephen Sondheim's 75th birthday celebration concert at the New Amsterdam Theatre. She is a regular soloist with the popular Bravo Broadway, having sung with most major symphony orchestras across the country. Her national tours include Annie, Camelot and Dames at Sea. She has also been seen in the revival of Follies, A Chorus Line, Grease, A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine, 110 In the Shade and in the world premiere of Startime. She can be heard on the original cast albums of The Secret Garden, Prom Queens Unchained, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Bravo Broadway I, Bravo Broadway II and her debut solo album, Till You Find Your Dream.

KATHY VOYTKO made her Broadway debut in the original revival cast of Oklahoma! directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Susan Stroman, and was also in the Tony Award-winning revival cast of Nine the Musical starring Antonio Banderas and Chita Rivera. At Lincoln Center, she originated the role of Ariadne in The Frogs opposite Nathan Lane. She was chosen by Hal Prince to play Eva on the 25th anniversary tour of Evita. Voytko played Christine on the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera. She was in the original cast of Boublil and Schonberg’s The Pirate Queen, and was also the standby Grania, which she performed several times in Chicago and on Broadway. She has sung in concert at Carnegie Hall in Showboat, and most recently in the live-recorded concert of Kristina. Voytko has performed in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber in other cities.

SHOSHANA BEAN made her New York city debut in the off-Broadway revival of Godspell, and soon after made her Broadway debut in the original cast of the Tony Award-winning production of Hairspray. She went on to be the first replacement for the green-skinned witch Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked later reprising her performance on the Wicked national tour. She performed in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber at the Kennedy Center and Joseph and the. . .Dreamcoat at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Most recently she headlined in the Las Vegas burlesque revue Peepshow and made her New York City concert debut to a sold-out crowd at Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber will open Tuesday, April 20 at 8 p.m. All performances are at the Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Tuesday April 20 8 p.m.
Wednesday April 21 8 p.m.
Thursday April 22 8 p.m.
Friday April 23 8 p.m.
Saturday April 24 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday April 25 2 and 8 p.m.

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as “Ma,” May 11-23; WICKED, May 26-June 27; DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18; and the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are WFAA TV Channel 8 and American Airlines. Now celebrating its 70th season, Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States, and the sixth largest non-profit theater company. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theatre entertainment since 1941. In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

As a non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatres, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the DSM Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.org or call (214) 421-5678.

# # #

For media information about this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

Xanadu Is Rolling Into Dallas!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:53:00 +0000

BROADWAY’S SURPRISE HIT MUSICAL
HITS THE ROAD!

WINNER BEST NEW MUSICAL 2008 – Outer Critic Circle Award
Presented by Dallas Summer Musicals April 6-18

Dallas, TX…Producers Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Mickey Liddell, Tara Smith /B. Swibel, in association with Latitude Link, proudly present the musical adventure XANADU. The musical is brought by Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, as part of their 70th anniversary season, and opens at the Music Hall at Fair Park on April 6th.

XANADU, described as “Heaven on Wheels” by The New York Times, is based on the Universal Pictures' cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. XANADU was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award® for Best Musical.

Single tickets are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all area Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are also available by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 15 or more, call 214-426-GROUP (4767).

This hilarious roller skating musical adventure, set in the year 1980, follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens to inspire the greatest of artistic achievements – the first roller disco! Along the way she falls in forbidden love with a mortal, and chaos abounds when her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation.

“I laughed the entire time! It’s great fun for the whole family!” exclaimed Olivia Newton John.
XANADU is 90 minutes of family fun and inspiration to follow your dreams despite the limitations.

Douglas Carter Beane has written the book for XANADU based on the film of the same name and was the winner of the 2008 Drama Desk Award® for Outstanding Book of a Musical. The score, by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, includes the hits, “Magic,” “Xanadu,” “Party All Over the World” and “I’m Alive” -- all top 20 Billboard hits. Lynne wrote and produced all of the music of Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O.). Farrar was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970’s. XANADU is directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Dan Knechtges.

XANADU features scenic design by Tony Award® winner David Gallo, costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Tony Award® winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, projections design by Zachary Borovay, wig and hair design by Charles LePoint and musical direction by Eric Stern.

XANADU will open Tuesday, April 6 at 8 p.m. All performances are at the Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Tuesday April 6 8 p.m.
Wednesday April 7 8 p.m.
Thursday April 8 8 p.m.
Friday April 9 8 p.m.
Saturday April 10 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday April 11 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday April 13 8 p.m.
Wednesday April 14 8 p.m.
Thursday April 15 2 and 8 p.m.
Friday April 16 8 p.m.
Saturday April 17 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday April 18 2 p.m.

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, April 20-25; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as “Ma,” May 11-23; WICKED, May 26-June 27; DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18; and the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are WFAA TV Channel 8 and American Airlines. Now celebrating its 70th season, Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States, and the sixth largest non-profit theater company. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theatre entertainment since 1941. In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

As a non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatres, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the DSM Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.org or call (214) 421-5678.

# # #

For media information about this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

How to get Wicked Tickets

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:48:00 +0000

For immediate release:
Local Press Contact: Jo Ann Holt
469-363-7371 or joannholt@gmail.com

March 15, 2010

HOW TO GET TICKETS TO
BROADWAY’S BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTER

FOR ITS DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS ENGAGEMENT
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK
MAY 26-JUNE 27

* * *

Dallas, TX…Tickets to WICKED, “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times), go on sale Monday, March 22, for a limited five weeks run at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.

Here are the only ways we suggest purchasing tickets for this engagement:

The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any area Ticketmaster location, or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787), or online at www.ticketmaster.com/wicked. Groups of 20 or more should call 214-426-GROUP (4767).

In previous engagements, when ticket buyers have been told that performances of WICKED are sold out, they sometimes find that tickets are still available through third parties: ticket agencies or brokers. Tickets purchased through these sources are usually substantially more expensive than the original ticket price. Please know that we cannot prevent these agencies from buying tickets when they go on sale, and laws governing ticket brokers (and how much they can charge for tickets) vary greatly from state-to-state

There have been instances where ticket brokers have launched websites that might include the theatre name and/or name of our show in order to confuse ticket buyers. The only way that patrons can be sure that they are purchasing legitimate tickets at the original ticket price is to use only the sources listed above.

For more information about WICKED log on to www.wickedthemusical.com. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

# # #

Wicked Tickets ON SALE NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (DSM Columnists) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:46:00 +0000

BROADWAY’S BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTER TO RETURN TO
DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS AND THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK
MAY 26-JUNE 27
* * *
TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY, MARCH 22!

BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND WINNIE HOLZMAN
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GREGORY MAGUIRE

Dallas, TX– After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2005 and again in 2007, WICKED, the smash-hit musical, will return to Dallas Summer Musicals and the Music Hall at Fair Park May 26-June 27. A special Internet only pre-sale will be held Sunday, March 21, from 8 p.m. to midnight at www.ticketmaster.com/wicked; code word POPULAR. For more information, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”), WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is directed by two-time Tony® Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues, 9 to 5) and features musical staging by Tony® Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who’s Tommy, How To Succeed…).

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED, winner of 20 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Tickets for the return engagement go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Monday, March 22. Single tickets, priced from $35-$135, will be on sale at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all area Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are also available by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com/wicked. Groups of 20 or more should call 214-426-GROUP (4767).

All performances will be at the Music Hall at Fair Park, opening at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 with the following schedule.

Wednesday May 26 8 p.m.
Thursday May 27 2 and 8 p.m.
Friday May 28 8 p.m.
Saturday May 29 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday May 30 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday June 1 8 p.m.
Wednesday June 2 8 p.m.
Thursday June 3 8 p.m.
Friday June 4 8 p.m.
Saturday June 5 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday June 6 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday June 8 8 p.m.
Wednesday June 9 8 p.m.
Thursday June 10 8 p.m.
Friday June 11 8 p.m.
Saturday June 12 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday June 13 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday June 15 8 p.m.
Wednesday June 16 8 p.m.
Thursday June 17 8 p.m.
Friday June 18 8 p.m.
Saturday June 19 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday June 20 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday June 22 8 p.m.
Wednesday June 23 8 p.m.
Thursday June 24 8 p.m.
Friday June 25 8 p.m.
Saturday June 26 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday June 27 2 and 8 p.m.

“I’m very pleased that we have been able to secure a return of WICKED for Dallas. Since every seat of the Music Hall at Fair Park was sold for the musical’s 2005 and 2007 engagements, we were unable to accommodate large numbers of people who wanted tickets to this wonderful show,” said Michael Jenkins, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals. “In my opinion, the national tour is even better than the Broadway production, which I also loved. The producers of WICKED should be complimented for sending out such a high-quality show.”

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One – born with emerald-green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

WICKED has “cast quite a spell” (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston to name a few.
Called “one of the most successful shows in Broadway history” by The New York Times and “a phenomenon that keeps growing” by the Los Angeles Times, WICKED continues to thrill audiences around the world. There are currently eight productions of WICKED worldwide, including two North American tours, a Broadway production, San Francisco production, London production, a Japanese-language production, a German-language production and Australian production. A Dutch-language production of WICKED will open in 2011.
WICKED features set design by Tony® Award winner Eugene Lee (Ragtime, Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony® Award winner Susan Hilferty (Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony Award® nominee Kenneth Posner (Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King and the recent Man of La Mancha). Stephen Oremus is the show’s musical director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

Grammy Award-Winning Cast recording available on Decca Broadway. For more information about WICKED, log on to www.wickedthemusical.com.

Casting for the forthcoming national tour stop will be announced at a later date.

# # #

For media information about this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.