Friday, November 25, 2016

Dreamweaver Marketing News, Cast Announced for CLO Pump Boys & Dinettes!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aja Jones
412-281-3973 ext. 224
ajones@pittsburghCLO.org
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Take an All-American Road Trip Down Highway 57
with the Multi-Talented Cast of PUMP BOYS & DINETTES!

Pittsburgh Premiere • January 26 – April 15, 2017

Pittsburgh, PA ∙ November 16, 2016 – Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce casting for the Pittsburgh premiere of PUMP BOYS & DINETTES, January 26 – April 15, 2017 at the CLO Cabaret. A high-octane feast for the ears, this full-blown musical experience features the talented men and women of Grand Ole Opry country - a downhome group who love a slice of homemade pie and great music. Equipped with guitar, piano, bass, cello, ukulele, banjo and more, they’re serving up a night of fun in this concert-style show about life’s simple pleasures that received rave reviews both on and off Broadway, along with a Tony Award® Nomination for Best Musical. Tickets start at $38.75 and are available online at CLOCabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square.

THE CAST
JUSTIN BENDEL (Eddie) began his association with the CLO Cabaret during its inaugural show, Forever Plaid, for which he played 400+ performances. Last year, he returned for the hit comedy First Date. With over sixty musicals to his credit, he is certainly no stranger to musical theater. As a professional bassist, he is active in many genres including various orchestras, jazz groups, singing competitions such as Campus Superstar, and studio work. These vast opportunities have allowed Mr. Bendel to collaborate with the highest-caliber of musicians from around the globe. Career highlights include: Patrizio Buanne tour, Elaine Stritch, Tom Rocco, and legendary Ray Charles.

JON ROHLF (Jackson) was last seen at the CLO Cabaret in Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. He is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Band Leader) and Huck Finn (Huckleberry Finn). He also devotes much of his time to education and student outreach as a teaching artist and substitute teacher throughout the tri-county area.
of Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts as well as California University’s Masters of Teaching program. Mr. Rohlf’s other credits include

JULIA SMOLKA (Understudy) is making her Pittsburgh CLO debut. Ms. Smolka works independently as a musician (singer/songwriter), and she performs at local restaurants, cafés, festivals and weddings. She has worked as a performer for RWS & Associates, an entertainment agency based in New York City. Favorite stage credits include Carrie: The Musical (Split Stage Productions), The Little Mermaid, West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera (Stage Right!), Into the Woods and Children of Eden (Seton Hill). Ms. Smolka is a graduate of Point Park Conservatory where she received a BA in Acting.

LUKE STEINHAUER (LM) is making his CLO Cabaret debut in Pump Boys & Dinettes. Regional theater credits include: The Muny, Music Singin’ in the Rain at Pittsburgh CLO. He is a recent graduate from The University of Michigan.
Theatre Wichita, Theatre Aspen and Pittsburgh CLO. Growing up, Mr. Steinhauer attended the Pittsburgh CLO Academy, was a Mini-Star, and eventually got his Equity card

ERIKA STRASBURG (Prudie Cupp) was last seen at the CLO Cabaret in Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, and has also played Belle in Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol for the past 3 years. Other Pittsburgh credits include: Three Days in the Country, Cock (Kinetic Theater), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(barebones), Pantagleize (Quantum). NYC: St. Joan of the Stockyards (Off-Broadway, Broadway World Performance of the Year) Regional: Gypsy, Pirates of Penzance (Bristol Riverside Theater), Last 5 Years (Island Theater Workshop), The Sound of Music (Millbrook Playhouse), Ellis Island (national tour). Graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.

DAVID TOOLE (Jim) rejoins the CLO Cabaret after appearances in The Toxic Avenger and First Date (Reggie, Gabe, Casey's Father & Stoner Guy). Past credits include Pittsburgh CLO’s The Student Prince ; Front Porch Theatrical’s The Last 5 Years (Jamie Wellerstein) and Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Tarzan (Tarzan), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), RENT (Roger), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), West Side Story (Tony) and High School Musical (Troy Bolton). Outside of theater, Mr. Toole is one of five rotating National Anthem Singers for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is a private voice instructor based out of the North Hills and is the front man for the Rock/Alternative band “Identity X.”

DREW LEIGH WILLIAMS (Rhetta Cupp) is making her CLO Cabaret Debut. Although she’s a Pennsylvania native, her theater performance background includes Chicago’s Stage 773, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Profiles Theatre, Pride Films & Plays and Fremont St., to name a few. Favorite roles include “Sara Jane Moore” in Assassins, “Cathy” in The Last Five Years, “Lucienne” in A Flea in her Ear, “Dionyza” in Pericles and “Mrs. Walker” in The Who’s Tommy. Outside of theater, Ms. Williams is on faculty at Clarion University and Clarion Center for the Arts. MFA in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts.

REED ALLEN WORTH (Understudy) is a Point Park University graduate Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Grover). Others: Beauty and the Beast(Lumiere), Cabaret (Clif), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Andrew Jackson), Oklahoma (Will Parker).
originally from Lisbon, Ohio. National Tour:

THE CREATIVE TEAM

http://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Benjamin-Klein/

BENJAMIN ENDSLEY KLEIN (Director) was born in Charlotte, NC and graduated from the University of Michigan. Director of Annon Broadway First Date at Pittsburgh CLO, Bend in the Road at New York Musical Theatre Festival (included in Huffington Post’s “The Best Shows of 2013”), the world premiere musical Hello Out There at The Adirondack Theatre Festival, the East Coast Premiere of Sickby Zayd Dohrn at New Jersey Repertory, Hairspray at Charlottetown Festival (Prince Edward Island, Canada), Notes to MariAnne at the Eugene O'Neill Musical Theatre Conference, and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe in San Diego, California.
starring Tony Award®-Nominated actress Holland Taylor as Governor Ann Richards. Selected credits as director include

ISAAC HARLAN (Music Director) is a graduate of Penn State University where he studied classical piano with Steven Smith. For the past six years, he has been living in NYC where he works as a pianist, music director, arranger and orchestrator. Mr. Harlan has played concerts with Norm Lewis, Eden Espinosa, Patina Miller, Renee Goldsberry and Michael McElroy, and has also been fortunate to work with other vocalists such as Leslie Odom Jr., Liz Callaway, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Angela Lansbury. Mr. Harlan also frequently works as an arranger and pianist for the Broadway Inspirational Voices.

KIESHA LALAMA (Choreographer) has created more than 50 works for stage, film and television. Ms. Lalama choreographed feature films, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Sorority Row, the hit television documentary series Broadway or Bust (PBS) and upcoming television series Outsiders (WGN). Theatrical credits include National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Broadway), All Shook Up (North Shore Music Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar(Kansas City Starlight Theatre), Into the Woods (Arsht Center), Judge Jackie Justice, Ruthless! The Musical and A Grand Night for Singing (Pittsburgh CLO). Concert dance highlights include Shed(DCDC), Catapult (Dance Kaleidoscope), Alegria (Giordano Dance Chicago) and Torque (August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble). She has created two full-length contemporary dance theater productions. The Bench received rave reviews and was named by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s “Best of Dance” Top Ten list in both 2009 and 2010. The Bench is currently under development with Titus Theatrical with a world premiere set for Fall 2017. As an educator, Ms. Lalama serves as an Associate Professor in the Point Park University Dance Department and as the Education Director for Pittsburgh CLO.

TONY FERRIERI (Set Designer) returns to Pittsburgh CLO: The Toxic Avenger, The 39 Steps, First Date. City Theatre: Feeding the Dragon, Hand to God, Sex with Strangers. Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre: Miss Julie. barebones: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center: The Phantom of the Opera, The Little Mermaid. Quantum: The Master Builder. Other credits include designs for: Milieu Theatrics NY, Jewish Theatre of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Opera, Carrnivale, PICT, Emelin, Northlight, Madison Rep, TheatreWorks, 1812 Productions, Playhouse REP & Conservatory, Tuesday Musical Club, Hartwood, Gargaro, Physical Theatre, Spur of the Moment, Chatham, Pitt, International Poetry Forum, Dana Phil Productions, Development Dimensions International, Saltworks and Unseam’d.

STEPHANIE SHAW (Costume Designer) returns to the CLO Cabaret where she previously designed costumes for The 39 Steps. Ms. Shaw is new to Pittsburgh, moving here from her previous job as Instr. Asst. Professor of Costume Technology for the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss. Some of her costume design credits include: The Spitfire Grill (Ole Miss 2015), World Builders (Contemporary American Theatre Festival 2015), Blood Brothers (Texas Shakespeare Festival 2012), The Taming of the Shrew (TSF 2011), and Hamlet (Reduxion Theatre Company NYC 2006).

KEITH A. TRUAX (Lighting Designer) returns to the CLO Cabaret after The Toxic Avenger, First Date and Altar Boyz. Additional credits include PICT Classic Theatre’s Two Tales of Terror, Oliver Twist, Sharon’s Grave, How the Other Half Love and Women and Scarecrow, and Sherlock’s Last Case and Romance for Kinetic Theatre Ensemble. In NYC: Good Girl Gone Bad and Walken on Sunshine Fringe Festival. Mr. Truax recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with an MA in Lighting Design.

Performance Schedule for PUMP BOYS & DINETTES
Wednesdays at 7:30pm
Thursdays at 1:00pm* 7:30pm
Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:00pm
*March 23 and April 6
TICKETSTickets start at $38.75 and are available online at CLOCabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more can call the Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 to learn more about special discounts, priority seating and corporate discounts.
Pittsburgh CLO graciously acknowledges the generosity of The Charity Randall Foundation for its sponsorship of the 2016-2017 CLO Cabaret Series.

About this Blog: Dreamweaver Marketing Associates provides this blog as a service to the community, friends, clients and business associates. Feel free to use this blog as a resource and also to send in your press releases. Dreamweaver Marketing Associates is a full service marketing company that specializes in online and digital branding. Run exclusively by Joanne Quinn-Smith, aka TechnoGranny and specializing in organic search content, like blogs, video and audio podcasts and searchable social media. For additional information you can contact the host of this blog, Joanne Quinn-Smith at 412-444-5197.Podcasts that come under the umbrella of Dreamweaver Marketing are PositivelyPittsburghLive, TheTechnoGrannyShow ,MondayMorningMarketeer

Dreamweaver Marketing News, A Christmas Story, The Musical

Broadway: A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL, Benedum Cener

PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRMUST ANNOUNCES

PNC BROADWAY IN PITTSBURGH SERIES

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL

COMES TO PITTSBURGH
PLAYING AT THE BENEDUM CENTER, NOVEMBER 22-27, 2016

Pittsburgh, PA—This holiday season, for the first time in Pittsburgh, the award-winning Broadway hit, A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL, brings the beloved classic movie to life at the Benedum Center, 237 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, from Tuesday, November 22 through Sunday, November 27, 2016. This tour is part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series, a presentation of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday evening at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, November 23, at 6:30 p.m. PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh patrons are invited to join us for a free pre-show talk, Know The Show Before You Go, held at the Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information visit: www.TrustArts.org/KnowTheShow.

Tickets ($26-$77) to A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL at the Benedum Center are available at these Pittsburgh Cultural Trust official ticket sources: www.TrustArts.org, by calling 412-456-4800 or in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. For information about the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh subscription series, visit TrustArts.org or call 412-456-1390. Tickets for Groups of 10+ are available online at TrustArts.org or call 412-471-6930.

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (“You’ll shoot your eye out kid!”). An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Chock-full of delightful songs and splashy production numbers, A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL, has proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family.

Hailed by The Associated Press as “a joyous Christmas miracle,” The New York Times writes “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.” A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICALpremiered on Broadway in 2012 and was a critical and commercial success. The musical was nominated for three TONY Awards® including Best New Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical.

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL features a festive and nostalgic holiday themed score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with a book by Joseph Robinette, based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. The tour features direction by Matt Lenz, and TONY Award® winner Warren Carlyle’s Broadway choreography will be reset for the tour by Jason Sparks. A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL features scenic design by Mike Carnahan, with costume design by Lisa Zinni and lighting design by Charlie Morrison. The hounds will play themselves.

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL is produced by Big League Productions, Inc. Led by President and Executive Producer Daniel Sher, Big League is celebrating its 27th season of producing, general managing and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world. For more information visit www.bigleague.org.

Broadway Across AmericaBroadway Across America is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and The Broadway Channel. Led by 9 time Tony-winning producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 41 markets with over 270,000 subscribers. Current and past productions include Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray, On Your Feet!, School of Rockand The Producers. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

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.

Dreamweaver Marketing News, 1,500 Students, Educators to Kick off 15th Annual ‘The Nutcracker

Contact:
Meghan Swartz
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
412-454-9117
mswartz@pittsburghballet.org
Kristy Cramlet
Highmark Health
304-424-9888
kristy.cramlet@highmarkhealth.org

More than 1,500 Students, Educators to Kick off 15^th Annual ‘The Nutcracker’Highmark & Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Present Dec. 2, Student Matinee Performance

PITTSBURGH, PA (Nov. 7, 2016) – Kicking off the 15^th anniversary run of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker,” more than 1,500 students and educators will fill the Benedum Center for the 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 2, Student Matinee performance sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The performance is the first of 26 performances of Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr’s Pittsburgh-inspired interpretation, onstage through Dec. 27, at the Benedum. Just before the curtain rises, Neil Parham, director of community affairs for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, will present a $50,000 check to PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr and Executive Director Harris Ferris.

“Highmark has been a longstanding supporter of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Student Matinee Program,” Parham said. “As the lead sponsor of this program, we want to make sure that our children have the resources they need to be healthy and succeed, and education is a great place to start. We are hopeful that this program will create opportunities for children who otherwise would not have access to the arts.”
The Highmark sponsorship makes it possible for PBT to offer discounted ticket prices for schools, professional development workshops for teachers and curriculum guidance for the classroom. During the Student Matinee performance, PBT will offer students a behind-the-scenes peek at production by raising the curtain during intermission so students can view set changes with commentary from Mr. Orr.

“Highmark’s support makes a strong statement about how important the arts are to a well-rounded education,” Orr said. “For many at our Student Matinee performances, this is their first-ever ballet experience. I don’t think we can underestimate the power of live performance to inspire ideas, aspirations and personal expression.”
PBT’s “The Nutcracker” has been a Pittsburgh tradition for 15 years. Set to Tchaikovsky's sublime score, the story journeys through a moonlit snowscape to a whimsical Land of Enchantment, reminiscent of the historic amusement parks of Pittsburgh. More than 100 dancers bring to life iconic choreography from the waltz of the snowflakes to the Sugarplum Fairy pas de deux. PBT’s “The Nutcracker” laces the familiar story with references to Pittsburgh’s landmarks and history.
In addition to PBT’s 30 company dancers, more than 130 PBT School students, ages 7 and up, will perform throughout the run as toy soldiers, clowns and other fairy tale characters.

PBT will present 26 performances of “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 2-27, at the Benedum Center. Tickets start at $28 and are available at www.pbt.org, 412-456-6666 or the Box Office at Theater Square.
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Highmark Inc., doing business as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, serves approximately 3.3 million members through the company’s health care benefits business and hundreds of thousands of additional members through the Blue card program. It employs more than 4,200 people in western, north central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
About Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
One of the most exciting ballet companies in the United States, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has built a legacy of excellence and innovation since its founding in 1969. Its eclectic style has been shaped by a series of distinguished artistic directors over four decades. In the 1980s, former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Patricia Wilde led the Company to new heights and national acclaim with an emphasis on virtuosic technique and works by the modern masters, including her mentor, George Balanchine. Since 1997, the Company has flourished under the direction of Terrence S. Orr, former American Ballet Theatre ballet master and principal dancer. Mr. Orr has created a powerful repertoire, including fresh versions of traditional ballets, original works commissioned to contemporary American music and dramatic works that push the boundaries of ballet as an art form. Through more than 50 performances each year at home and on tour, PBT audiences discover the passion and joy of ballet.

Dreamweaver Marketing News, Michael W. Smith and Voice Star Jordan Smith at the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Ed Traversari, edtraversari@hotmail.com / 412-779-3112

Images available: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Pressroom
Search: Michael W. Smith

PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST ANNOUNCES

RICH ENGLER PRESENTS

MICHAEL W. SMITH UNITES FOR POPULAR 2016 CHRISTIMAS TOUR WITH JORDAN SMITH, WINNER OF THE VOICE

DECEMBER 14 | 7:30 PM | BENEDUM CENTER

picture from http://www.jordansmithofficial.com/

Pittsburgh, PA – Coming live to the Benedum Center on Wednesday, December 14th,7:30pm, Rich Engler Presents Michael W. Smith joined by Republic recording artist Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner of NBC's The Voice.

Incorporating a 53 piece symphony orchestra at each performance, this seasonal crowd-pleaser will travel to nearly 20 major markets across the U.S., including Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Detroit, Dallas, Tulsa, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Baltimore and more.

Michael W. Smith draws hundreds of thousands of people to his concerts each year, and having Jordan Smith on his tour this year makes this tour one of the most anticipated holiday events of the season.

With a vast collection of critically-acclaimed holiday albums, the 2016 Christmas tour will showcase selections from Michael’s extensive Christmas repertoire. Additionally, the Christmas tour will help benefit Operation Christmas Child, known for distributing over 135 million shoeboxes of Christmas gifts to children in need in 150 countries.

“Being on stage with a full symphony orchestra, performing some of my all-time favorite songs, is a dream come true”, says Michael W. Smith. “And I have to say, I have never heard a voice quite as pure and beautiful as Jordan Smith’s. It’s going to be a great night! Christmas is my favorite time of year, and performing these holiday shows each November and December is a major highlight for me.”

"One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music that accompanies the season," shares Jordan Smith.

Don’t miss this wonderful “family oriented” Holiday Show December 14^th at the Benedum Center. Tickets are reserved at $45.75, $55.75 and $65.75. Some limited gold circle seats are also available for $125.75, and are on sale now at the Theatre Square Box Office, by phone at 412-456-6666 or online at www.trustarts.org.

Media Contact:Velvet Kelm & Courtney Hyder
the media collective
velvet@themcollective.com courtney@themcollective.com (615) 591-7989
www.themcollective.com

Tour Publicity Contact:Debra Akins
Southside Entertainment
debra@debraakins.com (321) 747-0077

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