Friday, August 8, 2014

Lifetime's Balancing Act Features Broadway Across America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                            

Media Contacts:
PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh:
Shaunda Miles, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-1578 / Miles@TrustArts.org
Diana Roth, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-8717 / Roth@TrustArts.org

Images available: www.TrustArts.org/press
Search: 2014-2015 Broadway


            “ANNIE,” “DIRTY DANCING,” “PIPPIN,” DISNEY’S “NEWSIES” & “MOTOWN THE MUSICAL”
TO BE FEATURED ON LIFETIME® TELEVISION’S
“THE BALANCING ACT®”
                                               
BROADWAY BALANCES AMERICA
Six-part miniseries will take viewers behind-the-scenes of 
some of the most beloved Broadway Musicals  

Pittsburgh, PA:  Broadway Across America has announced that ANNIE, DIRTY DANCING, PIPPIN, Disney’s NEWSIES and MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will be featured on Lifetime® Television’s award-winning morning show “The Balancing Act®” as part of the six part series “Broadway Balances America.”


ANNIE, DIRTY DANCING, PIPPIN, Disney’s NEWSIES and MOTOWN THE MUSICAL are part of the 2014-2015 PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and the Pittsburgh Symphony.  ANNIE performances are October 28-November 2, 2014 at the Benedum Center; Disney’s NEWSIES performances are November 25-30, 2014 at the Benedum Center; MOTOWN THE MUSICAL performances are December 30, 2014-January 4, 2015 at Heinz Hall; PIPPIN performances are January 20-25, 2015 at the Benedum Center and DIRTY DANCING performances are April 7-12, 2015 at the Benedum Center.   For more information about the 2014-2015 PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, visit www.TrustArts.org, in person: Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue or call (412) 456-4800.

Patrice Covington (center) as Martha Reeves in Motown the Musical (Joan Marcus)

“Broadway Balances America” segments will air on “The Balancing Act®” as follows, ANNIE will air on August 12 and 19; DIRTY DANCING will air on September 9 & 16; PIPPIN will air on October 29 and November 5; Disney’s NEWSIES will air on November 6 and 13; and MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will air on November 8 and 25.


“Broadway Balances America” will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes excerpts and interviews with ANNIE, DIRTY DANCING, PIPPIN, Disney’s NEWSIES and MOTOWN THE MUSICAL casts, creatives and crews, even experiencing what it’s like to dance in their shoes.

Cast of Newsies (Photo Credit:  Joan Marcus)

 Host Olga Villaverde had the time of her life when she traveled to Orlando and danced with “Johnny Castle,” the star of DIRTY DANCING.  She even learned the iconic leap that stole people’s hearts in the original movie classic. Balancing Act correspondent Amber Milt hit the boards on Broadway for a unique look at MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, Disney’s NEWSIES, ANNIE and PIPPIN.

Amber Milt goes backstage for a “Supreme” transformation at MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, which tells the behind-the-hits story of Motown founder Berry Gordy and the launch of legendary girl group The Supremes, The Jackson Five and more. Disney’s NEWSIES, the smash-hit, crowd-pleasing new musical, tells the true and captivating story of the 1899 newsboys’ strike and a band of underdogs who fight for what’s right while staying true to themselves.  The segment focuses on Disney’s new national campaign, the “Get Up and Go!” program, which promotes fun ways for kids to lead more active and healthier lifestyles through NEWSIES' Tony Award® winning choreography and music.  The ANNIE segment puts a spotlight on young kids (and their parents) going through the audition process to show what it takes to play one of Broadway’s most cherished roles in the iconic musical about everyone’s favorite orphan.  PIPPIN takes us into a captivating world of aerial acrobatics and temptation in this brand new Tony Award® winning production in which a young prince must decide whether he should risk it all in a blaze of glory or choose a simpler path as he searches for the meaning of life.

Josef Brown and Amanda Leigh Cobb (Photo Courtesy of National Broadway Tour)

 “We are really excited to partner with Broadway Across America so together we can take our viewers behind-the-scenes of the most popular Broadway shows now touring all across the country and meet some of the actors, directors and choreographers who bring it all to life.  Also, with ‘the Arts’ being taken out of so many school curriculums it’s great that Broadway Classroom® provides students an opportunity to connect with the art community. We’re thrilled that Broadway Across America shares our passion for helping empower adults and kids alike and to instill and cultivate an appreciation for the Arts,” said Dr. Thomas C. Deters, President and CEO, O2 Media™, producers of The Balancing Act.

“Broadway musicals are not just the New York art form; they are the great American art form.  We thank our network of local theater partners nationwide and The Balancing Act for helping us share Broadway with that wider audience across the country,” said Lauren Reid, CEO Theater Division, Broadway Across America.



The final segment takes viewers into Broadway Classroom® where students are introduced to all elements of the Broadway industry in collaboration with performers and industry professionals.  Classes range from Broadway 101, an introduction to Broadway, to Musical Theatre Song and Movement, a master class where students learn the music, choreography and staging from a current Broadway musical.

To learn more about the Broadway Balances America series, please visit: www.broadwaybalancesamerica.com

About Broadway Across America
BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and is operated by John Gore (Owner & CEO).  BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring musicals and plays in North America, operating in 40 markets.  As a leading Broadway producer, BAA is dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre.  Current/upcoming productions include Beautiful, Bullets Over Broadway, Million Dollar Quartet and Pippin. Past productions include Hairspray, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Memphis, Promises, Promises and The Producers.  Broadway.com is the premier theaterwebsite for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com andBroadway.com.

About The Balancing Act® on Lifetime Television
Now in its 7th year, The Balancing Act® continues to empower women in all aspects of their lives. The mission at The Balancing Act® is simple -- the show strives to help today’s modern woman balance it all by bringing them exceptional solutions to everyday problems. Entertaining, educational and trusted by women, viewers can watch America’s premier morning show The Balancing Act® weekday mornings on Lifetime television at 7 am (ET/PT).

 For additional information or to view a segment visit:  www.thebalancingact.com.

About The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.  www.TrustArts.org
Follow us on Twitter @CulturalTrust, and like us on Facebook.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

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