Pgh Cultural Trust Announces Exceptional Upcoming Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Shaunda Miles, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, 412-471-1578/Miles@TrustArts.org
Diana Roth, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, 412-471-8717/Roth@TrustArts.org

Images available: TrustArts.org/Press
Search: 2014-2015 Trust Presents

PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST ANNOUNCES
TICKETS ON SALE - FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL SEASON OF WORLD-CLASS,
ONE-OF-A-KIND PERFORMANCES FOR ALL AGES
2014–2015 COHEN & GRIGSBY TRUST PRESENTS SERIES

Pittsburgh, PA ̶   The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 22, at 9:00 a.m., EDT, for an exceptional season of events featuring area premieres and returning favorites by national and international performing artists for the 2014–2015 Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.  Music, dance, comedy, theater, and more will take place at various venues in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, as presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.  Tickets are available at www.TrustArts.org, by calling 412-456-6666, or in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. For groups of 10 or more, call 412-471-6930.

“The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is pleased to bring these outstanding performers from around the globe to the Cultural District.  This diverse series represents an opportunity for people of all ages, in and around the region, to experience the vitality of live performances,” comments Paul Organisak, Vice President of Programming for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

2014–2015 Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents events going on sale Friday, August 22, include:

SpokFrevo Orquestra
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $25.
This high energy 17-piece Brazilian big band is enthralling audiences worldwide with the swinging, rhythmically infectious sounds of “frevo,” a music genre born from the joyful carnival culture of Brazil. SpokFrevo Orquestra pushes musical boundaries, threading Brazilian traditions through compelling jazz improvisation.

Photo Credit:  Mike Reynes
 

The Capitol Steps
Sunday, November 2, 2014 | 4 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $25.
Cleverly putting the “mock” in democracy, The Capitol Steps began as a group of U.S. Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them, and there is never any shortage of fresh, comedic material.








Royal Ballet of Cambodia 

Friday, November 7, 2014 | 8 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $25.
Renowned for its graceful hand gestures and stunning costumes, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia has been closely associated with the Khmer court for more than 1,000 years. Their traditional dance style lends itself to exquisite, subtle movement that leaves audiences spellbound.

360 ALLSTARS
Saturday, November 8, 2014 | 8 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $25.
A breathtaking theatrical sensation, 360 ALLSTARS skillfully explore forms of rotation live on stage. Boasting a stellar cast of world class athletes, dancers and musicians, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to present an exhilarating urban circus for audiences of all ages.

The Intergalactic Nemesis
Friday, November 14, 2014 | 8 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $25.
A brilliant mash-up of the epic adventure comic book and a 1930s era radio broadcast performed live on stage. The popular, period-sci-fi-horror-suspense-comedy-romance is presented in a whole new way. Three actors, one Foley artist and one keyboardist perform all the voices, sound effects and music, while 1,000+ hand-drawn, full-color comic-book images blast onto a large screen.

Photo Credit:  Ines Kaiser

Maceo Parker
Friday, January 16, 2015 | 8 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $25.
The funkiest saxophonist on the planet, Maceo Parker is revered for his impeccable pedigree and leading the world’s tightest orchestra. Maceo Parker has played alongside R&B titans James Brown, George Clinton and Prince, among others. His collaborations with Ani Difranco, Dave Matthews and Red Hot Chili Peppers have introduced Maceo Parker to an ever expanding fan base.

Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure 
Saturday, January 31, 2015 | 3 & 6 pm | Benedum Center
Tickets start at $20.25.
Live on stage traintastic adventures await in the modern world of Chuggington. Wilson, Brewster and Koko take on exciting challenges, learn new skills and discover a sense of achievement through teamwork, courage and determination.

Zap Mama & Antibalas
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $25.
The captivating Afro-European singer Zap Mama collaborates with Brooklyn’s premier Afrobeat band, Antibalas, to celebrate the evolution of contemporary Afro music. Zap Mama mixes African vocal techniques with European polyphony, while Antibalas effortlessly weaves Afrobeat, Latin funk and the traditional drumming styles of Cuba and West Africa.

ABBA the Concert
Thursday, February 12, 2015 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $30.
Audiences and critics agreed, ABBA the Concert is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get. This special tribute brings one of the greatest pop phenoms in the history of music back to life.






Tiempo Libre
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $35.
The GRAMMY®-nominated Tiempo Libre has introduced audiences from all over the world to the rich musical traditions of Cuba. The Miami-based band is known for its sophisticated performances of Timba, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of R&B, jazz and Cuban son.

The Peking Acrobats 
Thursday, April 2, 2015 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $20.
Redefining audience perceptions of acrobatics, The Peking Acrobats defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control. The Peking Acrobats push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing dexterity, showcasing their tremendous skill and daring ability.

Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey
Thursday, April 16, 2015 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $30.
Film, television and stage star Jasmine Guy and world-class jazz bassist Avery Sharpe pay homage to the Harlem Renaissance. Raisin’ Cane beautifully brings to life the words and thoughts of Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, W.E.B. Du Bois and other poignant voices from this extraordinary period of artistry and activism in Harlem, as revealed through text, song, music, movement and imagery.


POTTED POTTER - The Unauthorized Harry Experience - A Parody by Dan and Jeff
May 5–7, 2015 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater
Tickets start at $35.
Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into one hilarious performance.  “A fabulously funny parody. Will tickle the funny bone of every age group.” –The London Daily Telegraph

Photos courtesy of the artist unless otherwise noted

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

Mamma Mia!

Media Contacts:

PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh
Show Publicist: Diana Roth, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-8717/Roth@TrustArts.org
Other Contact: Shaunda Miles, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-1578/Miles@TrustArts.org


Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’
MAMMA MIA!
The Smash Hit Musical Based on the Songs of Abba

THE GLOBAL SMASH HIT WILL RETURN TO HEINZ HALL FOR ONE WEEK ONLY!

February 11-16, 2014 | Heinz Hall

PITTSBURGH, PA – Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to Heinz Hall in February 2014.  Performances begin on Tuesday, February 11 and runs through Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Heinz Hall.  MAMMA MIA! is a season special, part of the 2013-2014 PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Tickets are on sale for all performances. The performance schedule is Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.  Tickets begin at $23 and are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by visiting TrustArts.org, or by calling 412-392-4900.  Group tickets are on sale now, call 412-471-6930.

ABOUT MAMMA MIA! WORLDWIDE
Seen by over 54 million people around the world, MAMMA MIA!, is celebrating 5,000 performances on Broadway and is the 10thlongest running show in Broadway history. The original West End production of MAMMA MIA! is now in its fifteenth year and has celebrated over 6,000 performances in London and the international tour has visited more than 74 foreign cities in 35 countries and been seen by over 4.3 million people. The blockbuster feature film adaptation of MAMMA MIA! is the most successful movie musical of all time grossing $600 million worldwide.

Seen in 38 productions in 14 different languages globally and with a worldwide gross of over $2 Billion, MAMMA MIA! is acclaimed by the Associated Press as “quite simply, a phenomenon.”

North American Tour Cast, Mamma Mia!

ABOUT MAMMA MIA!
An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she’s raised alone. For Sophie’s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends—practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya - from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.
On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna’s past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.
Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” MAMMA MIA! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.

The special edition cast recording of MAMMA MIA! is available on Decca Broadway.
For information about MAMMA MIA! visit www.Mamma-Mia.com

ABOUT THE CAST
Leading the cast of 30 of MAMMA MIA! is Georgia Kate Haege as “Donna Sheridan,” the independent single mother whose carefree past catches up with her on the eve of her daughter’s wedding.  Bride-to-be “Sophie Sheridan” is played by Chelsea Williams; her fiancé “Sky” is played by Chris Stevens.  
Gabrielle Mirabella and Carly Sakolove play Donna’s best friends and former back-up band, “Tanya” and “Rosie,” (respectively) who reunite with their best friend on the island for Sophie’s wedding.  The three men from Donna’s past and Sophie’s possible dads are Michael Colavolpe (“Bill Austin”), Mark A. Harmon (“Harry Bright”) and Don Winsor (“Sam Carmichael”).  Sophie’s & Sky’s best friends are played by Antoinette Comer (“Lisa”), Kyle Dupree (“Eddie”) Emily Price (“Ali”) and Neil Starkenberg(“Pepper”).
MAMMA MIA!’s ensemble features Francesca Arostegui, Ken Arpino, Meghan Glogower, Andrew J. Koslow, Bonnie Kramer, Grace Leszynski, Danny Lopez, Rebecca Mason-Wygal, Royce James McIntosh, Tyler McKenzie, Alex Mendoza, Brynn Smith, Joshua LaMonte Switzer, Carly Wielstein, Jennifer Wingerter, Vince Wingerter, P. Tucker Worley and Lauren Wright.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
MAMMA MIA! is produced by Work Light Productions, whose other touring productions include American Idiot, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and Chaplin.
The original production of MAMMA MIA! was produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the creative team responsible for bringing MAMMA MIA! to theatrical life includes some of the most gifted and celebrated talents of musical theatre and opera. With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus,MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. MAMMA MIA! has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce andBobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.
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, Betrayal, Bullets Over Broadway, Little Miss Sunshine,Million Dollar Quartet and Pippin. Past productions include Hairspray, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,Memphis, Promises, Promises, The Producers and War Horse. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.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 non-profit 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.

Photo Credits:  Kevin Thomas Garcia
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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

Smash Hit Musical MAMMA MIA! Will Have You Dancing in the Aisles

MAMMA MIA

WALKS DOWN THE AISLE OF HEINZ HALL

THE GLOBAL SMASH HIT WILL RETURN FOR ONE WEEK ONLY!

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall April 19-24, 2011. Performances begin on Tuesday, April 19, and run through Sunday, April 24, at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue. This tour is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Tickets ($27-$67) are available by calling 412-392-4900, visiting the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue) or online at www.pgharts.org. For more information about the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh 2010-2011 subscription series, please call 412-456-1390. Groups of 15 or more may call 412-471-6930. The performance schedule for MAMMA MIA! is 7:30 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m., Friday; 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday; and 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., Sunday.

Seen by over 45 million people around the world, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA!, is celebrating over 3,800 performances in its tenth smash hit year at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre and remains among Broadway’s top selling musicals. The current North American Tour has played over 3,000 performances in over 130 cities with 125 repeat visits. The original West End production of MAMMA MIA! is now in its twelfth year and has celebrated over 4,800 performances in London and the international tour has visited more than 50 foreign cities and been seen by 3.6 million people. The blockbuster feature film adaptation of MAMMA MIA!, produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, is the most successful movie musical of all time grossing $600 million worldwide.

In the 2010 - 2011 season, MAMMA MIA! will walk down the aisle for the first time, making premiere performances, in Alaska, Mississippi and West Virginia. The show will also return to Detroit, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Providence and Tampa for a remarkable fifth return visit.

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she’s raised alone. For Sophie’s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends—practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya - from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.

On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna’s past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.

Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” MAMMA MIA! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.

Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the creative team responsible for bringing MAMMA MIA! to theatrical life includes some of the most gifted and celebrated talents of musical theatre and opera. With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. MAMMA MIA! has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.



The special edition cast recording of MAMMA MIA! is available on Decca Broadway.

For information about MAMMA MIA! go to www.mammamianorthamerica.com.