Anything Goes at Heinz Hall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today's date: March 19, 2013
Contact: Diana Roth / 412-471-8717 / roth@trustarts.org
                PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh

PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh presents

2011 Tony® Award for Best Musical Revival

ANYTHING GOES
a Roundabout Theatre Company Production

ANYTHING GOES National Tour To Make Its Pittsburgh Premiere At Heinz Hall, April 16-21, 2013

Pittsburgh, PA:  The national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter’s timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, will make its Pittsburgh premiere April 16-21, 2013 at Heinz Hall as part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series.   The PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

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.; and Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets begin at $20 and can be purchased by calling (412) 392-4900, visiting the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, or online at www.TrustArts.org. For more information about the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, please call (412) 456-1390. Groups of 10 or more may call (412) 471-6930. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.

Winner of the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Roundabout Theatre Company’sANYTHING GOES sails direct from Broadway under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, who won the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Choreography.  The New York Times calls it “a zesty new revival with knockout numbers and white-hot dancing” while the AP exclaims that it’s, “so delightful, so delicious, so de-lovely!”

Rachel York will star as Reno Sweeney and Fred Applegate will star as Moonface Martin. The principal cast also includes Josh Franklin as Billy Crocker, Jeff Brooks as Purser, Joyce Chittick as Erma,Alex Finke as Hope Harcourt, Dennis Kelly as Elisha Whitney, Vincent Rodriguez III as Luke, Marcus Shane as John, Sandra Shipley as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Edward Staudenmayer as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, and Chuck Wagner as Captain.

The ensemble includes Jeremy Benton, Jacqueline Burtney, Jan Leigh Herndon, Kristie Kerwin, Gary Lindemann, Dionna Thomas Littleton, Michael Milton, Ashley Peacock, Bobby Pestka, Courtney Rottenberger, Vanessa Sonon, Ryan Steer, Kristopher Thompson-Bolden, Aaron Umsted, Mackenzie Warren, Sean Watkins, Sara Andreas, Audrey Cardwell, Sean McKnight, and Tony Neidenbach.

Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; and new book byTimothy Crouse and John Weidman. The creative team includes music direction by Jay Alger with additional orchestrations by Bill Elliot, original scenic design by Derek McLane, costumes by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Howell Binkley and sound design by Brian Ronan.

The National Tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES is dedicated to the memory ofMartin Pakledinaz, a beloved member of the Roundabout Theatre Company family.

Cole Porter’s roundup of nostalgic hits in the production include “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and, of course “Anything Goes.”

ANYTHING GOES, the 1934 musical comedy about the lovers, liars and clowns on a transatlantic cruise is “a daffy, shipshape romp!” - Variety. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.

The New Broadway Cast Recording of Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES, nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.

KATHLEEN MARSHALL received 2011 Tony®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Awards for choreography and Tony®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics nominations for direction for Roundabout Theatre Company’s Anything Goes. Also for Roundabout, Kathleen directed and choreographed The Pajama Game and choreographed Follies and 1776. Other Broadway credits include Wonderful Town; Grease; Boeing-Boeing; Little Shop of Horrors; Seussical; Kiss Me, Kate; and Swinging on a Star. Off-Broadway:Two Gentlemen of Verona (New York Shakespeare Festival), Saturday Night (Second Stage), Violet(Playwrights Horizons) and As Thousands Cheer (Drama Dept). City Center Encores!: Bells Are Ringing, Applause, Carnival, Hair and Babes in Arms; Artistic Director for four seasons. For ABC/Disney: “Once Upon a Mattress” and Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” (Emmy nomination). She has received two Tony® Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Astaire Award, the George Abbott Award, the Richard Rodgers Award and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for the Arts. Ms. Marshall is the Vice President of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and is an Associate Artist of the Roundabout Theatre Company. For Scott, Ella and Nathaniel.

ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) was most recently represented across the country with the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning national tour of Twelve Angry Menthat toured the country for 2 years, spending 63 weeks across the United States and Canada. Roundabout’s longest-running musical, the revival of Cabaret, received a multi-year tour across the country beginning in 1999. In 2011, Roundabout Theatre Company’s acclaimed work reached a worldwide cinema audience with the HD capture and broadcast of their Tony nominated production of The Importance of Being Earnest, starring Brian Bedford.

Now in its 46th season, Roundabout has become one of New York City’s most accomplished cultural institutions and one of the country’s largest not-for-profit theatre companies. With four theatres both on Broadway and off, Roundabout reaches over 600,000 theater goers annually, including over 35,000 subscribers, through award-winning productions of classical and contemporary plays and musicals. In addition to providing an artistic home for many of the finest actors, playwrights, composers and directors of our time, Roundabout is home to model education and outreach programs designed to diversify and develop the theatre’s audiences. With four distinctive homes, the American Airlines Theatre, Studio 54 and the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, site of the Laura Pels Theatre and Black Box Theatre, Roundabout has the unique ability to do high-quality, professional stagings of work in a venue perfectly suited to enhance each production. Roundabout also programs the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, where its 2011 Tony Award winning production of Anything Goesplayed. Since moving to Broadway 20 years ago, Roundabout productions have received 181 Tony®nominations, 174 Drama Desk nominations and 195 Outer Critics Circle nominations. Production highlights include Anna Christie, She Loves Me, A View from the Bridge, 1776, Nine, Assassins,Intimate Apparel, The Understudy, The Pajama Game, Sunday in the Park with George, Waiting for Godot, The Importance of Being Earnest and Cabaret, one of the longest-running musical revivals in Broadway history.

Roundabout Theatre Company’s 2012-2013 season features Rupert Holmes’ The Mystery of Edwin Drood starring Stephanie J. Block, Will Chase, Gregg Edelman, Jim Norton and Chita Rivera, directed by Scott Ellis; Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, with a translation by Ranjit Bolt, starring Douglas Hodge, Clémence Poésy & Patrick Page, directed by Jamie Lloyd; William Inge’s Picnicdirected by Sam Gold; Nick Payne’s If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet directed by Michael Longhurst, with Michelle Gomez, Jake Gyllenhaal, Brian F. O’Byrne; Clifford Odets’ The Big Knife starring Bobby Cannavale, directed by Doug Hughes; Lanford Wilson’s Talley’s Folly, directed by  Michael Wilson; Steven Levenson’s The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin directed by Scott Ellis.  Joshua Elias Harmon’s Bad Jews directed by Daniel Aukin is a world premiere production that launches the sixth season of Roundabout Underground following five critically acclaimed seasons of world-premiere productions since its premiere in 2007.


For more information, visit www.anythinggoesthemusical.com
For more information on Roundabout Theatre Company, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org

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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

Book of Mormon at Benedum

PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh Presents

Performances run March 26 through April 7, 2013

 at the Benedum Center

Tickets On Sale Now!

PITTSBURGH, PA:  THE BOOK OF MORMON will run March 26-April 7, 2013 at the Benedum Center. 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.; and Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.  THE BOOK OF MORMON is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Tickets begin at $41 and are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by visitingwww.Trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-4800. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.

Photo Credit:  Joan Marcus

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, “South Park.” Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q.  The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholawand Parker.

THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan.  Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus.  Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus.
The Original Broadway Cast Recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.
# # #
For more information, visit www.BookofMormonTheMusical.com
  Follow THE BOOK OF MORMON on Twitter and on Facebook.

Media Contacts:

Diana Roth / roth@trustarts.org / (412) 471-8717
PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series


National Tour Press Contact: John Gilmour / jgilmour@alliedlive.com  /  (312) 428-2400
Broadway Press Contact: Chris Boneau, Jim Byk, Christine Olver

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

Award Winning Green Day's American Idiot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Diana Roth
412-471-8717
roth@trustarts.org

PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh

THE NATIONAL BROADWAY TOUR

 Green Day's American Idiot

Makes Pittsburgh Premiere

At Heinz Hall February 19-24, 2013

Tickets On Sale Now!

Pittsburgh, PA: The national tour of GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT is coming to the Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA from February 19-24, 2013.

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.; and Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.  Tickets for this production are on sale now.

Tickets ($20-$62) are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by visiting www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 392-4900. Groups 10+ tickets are available by calling (412) 471-6930.Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.

GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT is part of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT, a 2010 Tony Award®-nominated Best Musical and 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, features the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The book is by Armstrong and Michael Mayer and direction is by Tony Award®-winner Mayer (“Spring Awakening”).

Green Day's American Idiot Company (Photo by Litwin)

The acclaimed creative team also includes choreography by Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett (“Black Watch”) and orchestrations and arrangements by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”). The Tony Award®-winning scenic design by Christine Jones and the Tony Award®-winning lighting design by Kevin Adams will also be featured in the tour.

Winner of two Tony Awards®,  GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9-11 world. Through incredible spectacle, thrilling performances and with the hope embodied by a new generation, GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT has given audiences the time of their lives night after night since its Broadway run at the St. James Theatre (March 2010 – April 2011) and its subsequent national tour, which launched December 2011 in Toronto.

The musical features the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum album. Also included in the score are several songs from Green Day’s 2009 release “21st Century Breakdown,” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”

Green Day's American Idiot Company (Photo by John Daughtry)

GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and played through November of that year. In April 2010, the musical opened on Broadway where reviews were unanimously positive with Charles Isherwood of the New York Times calling the show “the most adventurous musical to brave Broadway in the past decade” and the Toronto Star naming it “the first great musical of the 21st century!”


Cast Biographies:

ALEX NEE (Johnny) is a Bay Area native and a senior (on leave) at Northwestern University. Recent credits include Spring Awakening (Melchior), Rent (Roger) and The Who’s Tommy (Hawker). He’s thrilled to join such an amazing team for his first tour. Love and thanks to his family, friends and all of the Idiots.

TRENT SAUNDERS (St. Jimmy) could not be more excited to be a part of this incredible production. He just graduated with a BM from UMiami. Thanks to the entire team and cast. Love to the family and all of you guys! Rock on!

THOMAS HETTRICK (Tunny) is proud to be a part of this tour. He recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Acting. He is a member of Less Than Rent Theatre Company as well as the Lust & Liberty Theatre Company. He would like to thank his mother, step-father, sister and girlfriend for their love and support.

CASEY O’FARRELL (Will) is super psyched to join the Idiot family! He has been seen rockin’ it in the theatre from Rent (Roger) to the stages of the Sunset Strip with Side/Winders! So much love to the Family, sidewindersmusic.com for the Rock, and Ron Kellum for his trust. RAGE and LOVE!

ALYSSA DiPALMA (Whatsername) is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She was seen in productions in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival such has Realm of the Unreal (Daily) and Dog Sees God (Van’s Sister). Endless love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, Quigleys and Rachel!

JENNA RUBAII (The Extraordinary Girl) is a recent graduate of the University of Miami with a BM in musical theatre and could not be more ecstatic to rock out with the IDIOT team. Special thanks to the creative team, JV, Cynthia, Joy and family and friends for their support. For my rock star, LW. www.jennarubaii.com

KENNEDY CAUGHELL (Heather) is thrilled to be joining the Idiot family! She has just come from creating the role of Olive in Sidekicks! (NYMF). Regional: Guys and Dolls (New London Barn Playhouse) and Into the Woods (CPCC). BFA Elon. Thanks to God, Mom, Dad, Caitlyn, the K’s and DGRW for being in my corner!

AURIE CEYLON (Ensemble; u/s Whatsername, The Extraordinary Girl) could not be more pumped to rock out with the cast of American Idiot! Rage and Love to Jim Carnahan Casting, the American Idiot fam and the amazing rock stars that share the stage. Many thanks and eternal love to her family. Howard University: BFA-Acting. Selah.

CARSON HIGGINS (Ensemble; u/s Will, St, Jimmy) is thrilled to be a part of this cast of IDIOT! He is a native Californian and graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles. Carson was featured on season 10 of American Idol and just finished shooting Without Ward. He thanks his parents and his hometown of Malibu for their love and support.

ANTWAUN HOLLEY (Swing) is ardently impassioned about his touring debut in American Idiot. Favorite credits: Youth in Passing Strange, Seaweed in Hairspray and Angel/Benny in Rent. Training: Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. S/o to Carnahan Casting, my girls at CESD and my amazing father, family and friends! www.antwaunholley.com #dreamscometrue

DANIEL C. JACKSON (Ensemble; u/s St. Jimmy). A native of Birmingham, AL, Daniel is amped to be part of this punktastic show. Fav Roles: Enjolras (Les Mis), Buddy (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story), Troy Bolton (HSM 1 and 2). Thanks to Dave at Shirley Grant. Love to family, and AG. Proud to be an IDIOT. @danielcjackson

BRANDON KALM (Ensemble; u/s Johnny) is so excited to be making his first professional debut in American Idiot! Musical Theater junior at Pace University. Plano, Texas native. Love and appreciation to Carnahan, Amy, his family and mother Karen for always believing in him! Love my Pace MT family! With drive and passion anything is possible!

JOHN KRAUSE (Ensemble; u/s Johnny, Will, Tunny) could not be more thrilled to be an IDIOT! He would like to thank Carnahan Casting for this amazing opportunity, his family and friends for their unending love and support, and Jim and Joan for being his #1 fan. This performance is dedicated to Boco 2012. Much love!

ALISON MOROONEY (Swing; u/s Heather) is thrilled to make her post-PSU debut on the American Idiot tour!  She graduated in 2012 from Penn State. Some favorite roles include Mimi in Rent and Wendy in Peter Pan. Thanks to everyone on the tour, to her family and friends for all of their love.

TURNER ROUSE, JR. (Swing) is thrilled to be making his professional debut. Graduate of the BFA Music Theatre Class of 2012 from Elon University. Elon: Children of Eden (Abel), It’s Only Life with John Bucchino, Hair (General MacNamara). Turner is also a photographer and songwriter/composer under the alias Logical Confusion. www.soundcloud.com/logical-confusion

JAMAL SHURIAH (Ensemble) graduated from the Hartt School with a BFA in Musical Theatre. His most recent accomplishments have circulated around Disney Cruise Lines playing roles such as Simba in Golden Mickeys and Jaq in Twice Charmed. He is very excited to be a part of this amazing production and thanks his family and friends for their love and support!

DUSTIN HARRIS SMITH (Ensemble; u/s Tunny). Int’l: Urintown, Bobby (Edinburgh, Scotland). Off Broadway: The Who’s Tommy (Abrams Arts Center). Selected Regional: Idaho! The Musical, Chicago, Biloxi Blues (Forestburgh Playhouse, NY), Batboy (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta). Favorite Roles: Radames/Aida, Al/A Chorus Line, Jimmy/Thoroughly Modern Milly. TV: Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns. BFA Drama NYU: Tisch. Love to my family for their support. www.dustinhsmith.com

ASHLEY TOBIAS (Ensemble; u/s Whatsername, The Extraordinary Girl) is extremely excited to be in the UK/National Tour of American Idiot! Graduate of Montclair State. Credits: The Unexpected Dreams. Off-Broadway: Freckleface, The Musical (Emily), The Ohmies (original Daisy Dog), Virtually Me (Lindsey, US Tour-Original Cast). Special thanks to the American Idiot team, my manager and of course her parents! www.ashleytobias.com.

CHELSEA TURBIN (Ensemble; u/s Heather) is psyched to make her National Tour debut with American Idiot! Recently seen at The MUNY in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ethel Peas). She received a BFA from The Boston Conservatory where credits included 42nd Street and Strike up the Band (Anne). Thanks and love to family, friends and this AWESOME cast!

JARED YOUNG (Ensemble) has starred alongside Audra McDonald in 110 in the Shade (Jimmy). He studied Media Music at BYU and has ROCKED Europe, China & Australia. Special thanks to Carnahan Casting for believing in me. Super LOVE to Family, Jers & Germy! This one's for Gilmores.


For more information on GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT, visit www.americanidiotthemusical.com.

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

The Lion King Triumphantly Returns to Pittsburgh

THE WAIT IS OVER!
 Disney’s THE LION KING
Triumphantly RETURNS TO Pittsburgh, PA in 2013

Broadway’s Award-Winning Best Musical to Play Exclusive
Four Week Engagement at the Benedum Center
as Part of PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh’s 2013-2014 season
September 3 through 29, 2013

Pittsburgh, PA (November 8, 2012):  By popular demand, Disney’s THE LION KING will return to Pittsburgh for an exclusive 4-week engagement at the Benedum Center.  Performances begin Tuesday, September 3, 2013 and play through Sunday, September 29, 2013.  Opening night is set for Friday, September 6, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.  Single tickets for THE LION KING will go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 6, 2013.  THE LION KING’s sold-out six-week Pittsburgh premiere engagement in 2004 at the Benedum Center was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2008.  Disney’s THE LION KING is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony.

TICKET INFORMATION

Disney’s THE LION KING will be the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh opening production of the 2013-2014 season. Current PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh season ticket holders can renew their season tickets in early 2013 and stay in their current seats or be first in line for upgrades. For subscription information, call (412) 456-1390 or visitwww.TrustArts.org/broadway.

Group tickets (15) or more are on sale now by calling (412) 471-6930; email at groupsales@trustarts.org orwww.trustarts.org/groupsales.

Single tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 6, 2013. For more information, call 412-456-4800 or visitwww.trustarts.org. The complete PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh 2013-2014 season will be announced in early 2013.

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history.  Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 20 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 65 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the fifth longest-running musical in Broadway history and only the second show in history to generate five productions running 10 or more years.  Translated into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese), the show has been performed in 15 different countries on five continents.  Continuing to reign as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour in North America, in London’s West End and on tour in the UK, in Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo and on tour in Japan.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor.  THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year, the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design and seven 2012 Spanish Musical Theatre Awards, including Best Musical.  

On stage, Taymor’s creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters.  Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING.  The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”

Other members of the creative team include:  Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (Production Supervisor).  Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $928 million to date.  Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its Pittsburgh return at the Benedum Center.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.    

Photo Credit:  Joan Marcus   Copyright: Disney

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

Chicago Kicks Off Broadway at Heinz Hall Series

For Immediate Release
Oct. 26, 2012

‘CHICAGO’ KICKS OFF ‘BROADWAY AT HEINZ HALL’ SERIES
Performances run Thursday, Nov. 8 – Sunday, Nov.11

PITTSBURGH – The Tony Award-winning musical Chicago kicks off the “Broadway at Heinz Hall’ series with performances starting Thursday, Nov. 8.

Now in its 16th glorious year of girls, glitz and glamour on the Great White Way, the record-breaking smash hit musical Chicago is now the fourth longest-running production in Broadway history.

Chicago will play at Heinz Hall at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8; 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9; 2 & 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10; and 1 & 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11. Tickets, ranging from $20 to $85, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412.392.4900, or visitingwww.pittsburghsymphony.org.
With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.

The national tour is directed by Scott Faris and choreographed by Gary Chryst.  Walter Bobbie is the director of the original New York Production and Ann Reinking was the original choreographer in the style of Bob Fosse. Chicago features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer. The production also features orchestrations by Ralph Burns, supervising music direction by Rob Fisher.

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Contact: James Barthen, Vice President of Public Affairs                                                            
Phone: 412.392.4835 | email: jbarthen@pittsburghsymphony.org

Contact: Ramesh Santanam, Director of Media Relations
Phone: 412.392.4827 | email: rsantanam@pittsburghsymphony.org

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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

WEST SIDE STORY RETURNS TO PITTSBURGH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
corpuz@pgharts.org
412-471-6082

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING BROADWAY SMASH HIT

WEST SIDE STORY

IS COMING TO PITTSBURGH

MAY 17-22, 2011

BENEDUM CENTER

The tour of the current smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Pittsburgh, Penn. WEST SIDE STORY will open at the Benedum Center on Tuesday, May 11, 2011. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life). WEST SIDE STORY is part of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

The new Broadway cast album of WEST SIDE STORY won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album on January 31, 2010. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.”

The new Broadway production began previews at the Palace Theatre on Broadway Monday, February 23, 2009, opened to critical acclaim breaking box office records at the Palace Theatre on Thursday, March 19, 2009, and recouped its $14 million investment after running only 30 weeks. The Broadway production played its final performance January 2, 2011. The musical played 27 previews and 748 regular performances, making it the longest-running production of the groundbreaking musical in Broadway history. The original production, which had held the record, played 732 performances on Broadway.

WEST SIDE STORY features scenic designs by James Youmans (Gypsy), costumes by Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard (The Farnsworth Invention, The Who’s Tommy), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Gypsy, Jersey Boys), sound design by Tony Award nominee Dan Moses Schreier (Gypsy, A Catered Affair) and hair by Mark Adam Rampmeyer (The Farnsworth Invention).

WEST SIDE STORY is written by three theatrical luminaries: two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents (book) and multiple Tony and Grammy Award winners Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) in his Broadway debut.

WEST SIDE STORY is produced by Kevin McCollum, James L. Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller with Terry Allen Kramer, Sander Jacobs, Roy Furman / Jill Furman Willis, Robyn Goodman / Walt Grossman, Hal Luftig, Roy Miller and Broadway Across America.

WEST SIDE STORY tickets ($22-$69) are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at pgharts.org and by calling 412-456-6666. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling 412-471-6930. Performances are: Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

WEST SIDE STORY had a long journey to Broadway. Six years elapsed between Jerome Robbins's first idea of a modern musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and its actual Broadway debut in 1957. Originally, the action of the musical was to take place on New York's Lower East Side with tensions flaring between Jews and Catholics during the Passover and Easter holidays. The original setting left the authors uninspired and the project was put on hold. Years later, when Arthur Laurents proposed changing the basis of conflict from religion to race, the show gained creative momentum and WEST SIDE STORY was born.

Originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, WEST SIDE STORY opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26, 1957 and garnered passionate reactions from critics and audiences alike. The piece has often been credited with changing the entire course of the American musical theatre. Applauding the creators’ innovation in dance and musical style, TIME Magazine exclaimed “Robbins’ energetic choreography and Bernstein’s grand score accentuate the satiric, hard-edged lyrics of Sondheim and Laurents’ capture of the angry voice of urban youth.” New York Times critic Brooks Atkinson described the show as “profoundly moving; an incandescent piece of work where theatre people, engrossed in an original project, are all in top form.”

The original production starred Larry Kert as “Tony,” Carol Lawrence as “Maria,” Chita Rivera as “Anita,” and won six Tony Award nominations including Best Musical of 1957. Jerome Robbins won the Award for his groundbreaking choreography and Oliver Smith took home the prize for Best Scenic Design. Also nominated were Carol Lawrence for Best Supporting Actress, Max Goberman for Best Musical Director and Irene Sharaff for Best Costume Design. WEST SIDE STORY ran for 732 performances before launching national and international tours and a successful mounting at London’s Majesty Theatre in 1958. The first revival of the musical opened on April 8, 1964 at New York City Center by the New York City Center Light Opera Company. The production closed on May 3, 1964 after a limited engagement of 31 performances. The City Center production was staged by Gerald Freedman based on Robbins' original concept. A Broadway revival opened at the Minskoff Theatre on February 14, 1980 directed and choreographed by Robbins with the assistance of Tom Abbott and Lee Becker Theodore. The revival was nominated for a 1980 Tony Award for Best Revival as well as nods for Debbie Allen as “Anita” and Josie de Guzman as “Maria.”

The revival of WEST SIDE STORY on which this tour is based began previews at the Palace Theatre on Broadway Monday, February 23, 2009, opened to critical acclaim breaking box office records on Thursday, March 19, 2009, recouped its $14 million investment after running only 30 weeks. The musical played 27 previews and 748 regular performances, making it the longest-running production of the groundbreaking musical in Broadway history.

An exciting and innovative motion picture version, directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, was released in 1961 and starred Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as the star-crossed lovers “Maria and Tony” and Rita Moreno as “Anita.” The film also received wide praise from critics, winning ten Academy Awards out of its eleven nominated categories (including Best Picture) as well as a special award for Robbins. The film’s soundtrack grossed more than any other album before it.
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WICKED Tickets on Sale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Veronica Corpuz
412-471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh

A division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust





BROADWAY’S BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTER RETURNS TO PITTSBURGH’S BENEDUM CENTER, SEPTEMBER 7 – OCTOBER 2

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SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE, MONDAY, MAY 23

WICKED

BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND WINNIE HOLZMAN

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GREGORY MAGUIRE

PITTSBURGH, PA – After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2008, WICKED, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, will return to Pittsburgh, with performances at the Benedum Center, from September 7 through October 2. Single tickets will go on sale Monday, May 23, at 7:00 a.m. EST in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue; and 9:00 a.m. EST by phone (412) 456-4800 and online at wicked.pgharts.org. WICKED is a season special, part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony.

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)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 35 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.

Single tickets for WICKED, on sale Monday, May 23, at 7:00 a.m. EST, are $35.25-$138.25. The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; 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. On Thursday, September 8, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee.

PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh subscribers may purchase tickets in advance from The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust by calling412-471-1390. Groups of 20 or more may also purchase tickets in advance by calling 412-471-6930. For information, visit wicked.pgharts.org.

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.

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

*As a note to all calendar listing editors, the title of the show is WICKED (not WICKED: A New Musical or WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz).
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Smash Revival of HAIR Comes to Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh presents

THE SMASH BROADWAY REVIVAL OF

HAIR

WINNER! BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL 2009 TONY® AWARD

COMES TO HEINZ HALL

FEBRUARY 15-20, 2011

HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, will play Heinz Hall for a limited engagement February 15-20, 2011. Tickets ($20-$69) 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 10 or more may call 412-392-4819. This tour is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

HAIR won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival and is currently playing on Broadway where it also received the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

The story of a group of young Americans searching for love and peace during the Vietnam era, HAIR is a timeless portrait of a movement that changed the world. Its groundbreaking rock score paved the way for some of the greatest musicals of our time. HAIR features an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs, including Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, Good Morning, Starshine and East to be Hard.

The New York Times says "Diane Paulus's THRILLING, EMOTIONALLY RICH production delivers INTENSE, UNADULTERATED JOY" and Time Out New York says "HAIR SPEAKS TO A WHOLE NEW GENERATION!."

Directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Karole Armitage, HAIR features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. HAIR contains smoke effects and strobe lighting.

HAIR is presented on Broadway and tour by The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Executive Director) Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/WenCarLar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, JAM Theatricals, The Weinstein Company / Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, Joey Parnes and by special arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann.

Parental Discretion Advisory: While many find this show suitable for young adults 13 and older, parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Presents, Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Children’s Festival, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O’Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities.
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