Dreamweaver Marketing News, Paris Comes to Pittsburgh via Broadway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh Contact: Diana Roth, 412-471-8717, Roth@TrustArts.org
Pittsburgh CLO Contact: Aja Jones, 412-281-3973 ext. 224, ajones@pittsburghclo.org

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American in Paris Production Number

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
THE MOST AWARDED NEW MUSICAL OF 2015
ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR PITTSBURGH

COMING TO PITTSBURGH CLO & PNC BROADWAY IN PITTSBURGH
MAY 30 - JUNE 11, 2017

Pittsburgh, PA • May 4, 2017 – AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, the most awarded new musical of 2015 and winner of four Tony Awards®, will open in Pittsburgh on May 30 for a two-week engagement at the Benedum Center May 30 - June 11.

Jerry Mulligan and Lise Dassin will be played by McGee Maddox and Sara Esty. Joining them are Etai Benson (Wicked) as Adam Hochberg; Emily Ferranti (Wicked, Dreamgirls) as Milo Davenport; Gayton Scott (Gypsy, The Women) as Madame Baurel; and Nick Spangler (The Book of Mormon, Rogers + Hammerstein’sCinderella) as Henri Baurel.

Leigh-Ann Esty (Miami City Ballet) and Ryan Steele (Newsies, Matilda) join the cast as the Lise and Jerry alternates. Rounding out the company are: Karolina Blonski, Brittany Bohn, Stephen Brower, Randy Castillo, Jessica Cohen, Jace Coronado, Alexa De Barr, Ashlee Dupré, Erika Hebron, Christopher M. Howard, Weston Krukow, Marina Lazzaretto, Nathalie Marrable, Tom Mattingly, Caitlin Meighan, Don Noble, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Alexandra Pernice, David Prottas, Danielle Santos, Bradley Schlagheck,Lucas Segovia, Kyle Vaughn, Laurie Wells, Dana Winkle, Erica Wong and Blake Zelesnikar.

American in Paris,  Arc De Triomphe

Inspired by the Academy Award-winning film, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is the romantic story about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Directed and choreographed by 2015 Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon, the show features the music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, and a book by Craig Lucas.

The creative team also includes Tony Award-winners Bob Crowley (set and costume designer) and Natasha Katz (lighting designer); Jon Weston (sound designer); 59 Productions (projection designer); Rob Fisher (musical score adaption, arrangement and supervision); Todd Ellison (musical supervisor); David Andrews Rogers (musical director/conductor); Christopher Austin and Bill Elliott (orchestrations); Sam Davis (dance arrangements); Telsey + Company/Rachel Hoffman, C.S.A. (casting); Rick Steiger (production supervisor); Dontee Kiehn (associate director and associate choreographer); and Sean Kelly (associate choreographer and resident director).

The score of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS includes the songs "I Got Rhythm," "Liza," “’S Wonderful," "But Not For Me," "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise," and orchestral music including "Concerto in F," "Second Prelude," "Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture" and "An American In Paris."

The production opened to widespread critical acclaim at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in April 2015 after its world premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The New York production closed in October 2016 after playing more than 600 performances. A West End production of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS opened March 21, 2017 at the Dominion Theatre.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS won four 2015 Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and two Theatre World Awards. The musical was included on the Year’s Best lists of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New Yorker, the Associated Press, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Masterworks Broadway Original Broadway Cast recording of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS was nominated for the Best Musical Theater Album Grammy Award.
The producing team includes Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan and Roy Furman by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical, Pittsburgh CLO and Théâtre du Châtelet.
For more information, visit www.AnAmericanInParisBroadway.com.

American in Paris Cast on Bicycles

TICKETS
Individual tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 412-456-6666, by visiting CulturalDistrict.org/Paris online or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh.  Groups of 10 or more should call 1-844-PGH-SHOW (844-744-7469) and press option 2 or 3.

PITTSBURGH CLO

Since 1946, Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons yearly who attend its performances at three venues in the Cultural District: a seasonal subscription series at the Benedum Center, A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater and year-round shows at the CLO Cabaret. Its dedication to the musical theater art form includes educational programs such as the CLO Academy for Performance and Art, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award and The National High School Theatre Awards. As part of its new works development, the organization has been involved with 22 Broadway shows (29 Tony Awards®), and in 2014 produced the world premiere of An American in Paris in Paris on Broadway, where it won 4 Tony Awards® and was the most awarded musical of the season. For more information please visit pittsburghCLO.org.

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. TrustArts.org

Broadway Across America
Broadway 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 Rock and 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.

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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, Cast Announced for CLO Pump Boys & Dinettes!

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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, Story of Hidden Love Transcending Cultural Differences

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Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA
is written in the stars July 26-31
The timeless story of forbidden love to make
Pittsburgh CLO debut at the Benedum Center!

Pittsburgh, PA ∙ July 15, 2016 – A gripping tragedy of love that transcends all, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA follows a courageous Nubian princess as she is forced to choose between passion and allegiance.  This poignant musical featuresHAMILTON’s own Emmy Raver-Lampman as Aida and Broadway’s Mark Evans as Radames.
Two strangers peruse a museum exhibit and are suddenly transported to Ancient Egypt where they meet as Aida, an enslaved Nubian princess, and Radames, an Egyptian soldier betrothed to the Pharaoh’s daughter. Radames and Aida’s forbidden love becomes a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. As their epic story draws to a close, our pair of strangers resume their visit to the museum where they find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. The unforgettable Grammy Award-winning score by Elton John and Tim Rice features soaring ballads including Billboard hit “Written in the Stars.”

ABOUT THE CAST
Kathryn Boswell (Amneris) is making her Pittsburgh CLO debut. Most recent credits: Gigi (Broadway, Kennedy Center), First Daughter Suite (Sundance Institute), Play it by Heart (Human Race Theatre Company) and Les Misérables (Music Theatre of Wichita). TV: High Maintenance (HBO).

Mark Evans (Radames) is also joining Pittsburgh CLO for the first time. U.S: The Fix - Signature Theatre, The Book Of Mormon - First National Tour (2014 Helen Hayes nom.). West End: Ghost The Musical, Wicked, High School Musical and Spamalot. U.K./Regional Tours: Oklahoma!, The Rocky Horror Show, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and Cinderella. TV/Film: The Tower Of Silence, Dead Hungry, Lake Placid 3 and Eurovision Your Country Needs You. Workshops: Anastasia. Concert: Ultimate Broadway (Shanghai), Chess In Concert (Royal Albert Hall). Recording: “The Journey Home & The Journey Home Deluxe Edition” (solo albums). Author: Secrets Of Stage Success.

KAT GEERTSEN, KYLE MCCLELLAN, ERIK HERNANDEZ, ZAKIYA YOUNG & XIMONE ROSE IN MUSIC THEATRE WICHITA’S ELTON JZAKIYA YOUNG  & ANDREW SAMONSKY IN MUSIC THEATRE WICHITA’S ELTON JOHN’S AIDA 

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER CLARK

Monteze Freeland (Amonasro) has worked with the Arena Players, The Pittsburgh Playhouse, Kuntu Rep (Radio Golf), Pittsburgh Playwrights (The Piano Lesson), City Theatre, Quantum Theatre (The Electric Baby) and many more in the Pittsburgh region. He is also the Artistic Director of The LAB Project. Freeland is a new member of Actors’ Equity.

Jeffrey Howell (Pharaoh) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after appearing in shows such as: Damn Yankees, Man of La Mancha, 42^nd Street, Singin’ in the Rain, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Beauty and the Beast, Bells are Ringing, Pajama Gameand The Most Happy Fella.  He was also seen at the REP in Choir Boy and Souvenir. Other credits include Candide, Tigers Be Still,Chicago and Tribute to Lerner and Loewe with Marvin Hamlisch and the PSO.

Fred Inkley (Zoser) joins Pittsburgh CLO again after appearing inLes Misérables (Valjean).  Broadway: Les Misérables (Valjean),Annie (Drake, FDR, Bert Healy), The Addams Family (Lurch, Mal Beineke), Company, Lincoln Center (Vocal Minority), A Tale of Two Cities (Stryver), The Boys from Syracuse (Sergeant),The Nutty Professor (Murray and Maury) and Birdland. Tour: The Little Mermaid (King Triton), Beauty and the Beast (Beast) and Les Misérables (Valjean). Regional: Ever After (Auguste), Paper Mill Playhouse, Les Misérables (Valjean), North Shore Music Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll, Hyde), Ritz Theater, Boston Pops Guest Artist. He is a member of Actors’ Equity.

ZAKIYA YOUNG  & ANDREW SAMONSKY IN MUSIC THEATRE WICHITA’S ELTON JOHN’S AIDA 

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER CLARK

Emmy Raver-Lampman (Aida) appears with Pittsburgh CLO for the first time. Broadway credits include: Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast), A Night With Janis Joplin (Original Broadway Cast), Jekyll & Hyde and Hair. National Tour: Wicked (Elphaba standby). Other Favorites: The SpongeBob Musical (Pre-Broadway Chicago Production), Children of Eden (APAC).  She is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College.

Lamont Walker II (Mereb) is currently a senior at Point Park University pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Other Credits include: Bill Hanney's Theatre by the Sea's West Side Story andThe Buddy Holly Story; A Lesson Before Dying (Jefferson) with Primestage, Choir Boy (AJ) with The Pittsburgh REP, Pittsburgh Playwrights, and others.
Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA is complete with a talented ensemble, including Cameron Amandus, Christopher Campbell, Ryan Cavanaugh, Gerald Caesar, Ixchel Cuellar, Mike Greer, Mya’la Herrold,  Justin Lonesome, Carina-Kay Louchiey, Billy Mason, Mara Newbery, JJ Niemann, Emily Nies, Kate Margalite, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, Taylor Kellas Warren and Ross Yoder.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
Barry Ivan (Director; Choreographer) has directed numerous productions for Pittsburgh CLO including The Wedding Singer, Sunset Boulevard, Company, A Little Night Music, Footloose, The Full Monty, Miss Saigon, West Side Story, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Les Misérables. National and international credits range from directing at the German State Opera to directing at Yale. His productions of The Full Monty and Hairspray received IRNE awards for Best Musical and he received IRNE nominations as Best Director for Nine and Les Misérables. Mr. Ivan directed the US premiere of Dracula, A Chamber Musical and is slated to direct the world premiere of Jeff Stolzer’s comedy-drama Power Plays. Mr. Ivan is currently producing and developing multiple projects for the stage and television.

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 21^st season with Pittsburgh CLO. His theater credits include the Broadway productions of Souvenir, Les Misérables, Me and My Girl, CATSand Brigadoon. He has also contributed his talents to television programs such as Crazy For You and the Today Show. Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national theaters.

Paul Miller (Lighting Designer) returns to Pittsburgh CLO where he previously lent his talents to Legally Blonde.  Broadway:Amazing Grace, Legally Blonde, Freshly Squeezed, Laughing Room Only; Irma La Douce, Where’s Charley?, Lost in the Stars, Of Thee I Sing and Music in the Air (Encores).  Off-Broadway: Out Of The Mouths Of Babes, Clinton The Musical, Lucky Guy, Nunsense,Vanities The Musical, Waiting for Godot, Addicted and Balancing Act.  Regional: Stratford Shakespeare, Chicago Shakespeare, Idaho Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Bay Street, Lookingglass and Goodspeed. Tours: Elf, Shrek the Musical, Storytime Live, Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd, Legally Blonde, Nunsense, Scooby Doo andThe Sound of Music. Television: Live from Lincoln Center; “New Year’s Eve Celebration in Times Square.”


HISTORY OF THE SHOW
With stirring music and an eloquent book, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA follows the same story of conflict and timeless love chronicled in the 19^th century opera of the same name by Giuseppe Verdi.
The musical first astounded audiences with its Broadway premiere in March of 2000.  The production continued to inspire New York audiences until 2004 when it closed after nearly 2,000 performances.  Following its Broadway run, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA hit the road with multiple National Tours, international productions and regional theater performances across the country.
It won four Tony Awards® including Best Original Score and a Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album. Contemporary musical legend and composer Elton John recorded the musical’s showstopper “Written in the Stars” with LeAnn Rimes, which topped the Billboard adult contemporary music charts.


ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM
Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang (Book)wrote the book for Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA. The creative team collaborated in the midst of successful individual careers.  Woolverton’s notable credits include script-writing for Disney’s animated Beauty and the Beast, which received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Picture.  She also co-wrote the script for Disney’s The Lion King and Homeword Bound: The Incredible Journey.   Robert Falls is a Broadway director and writer whose work includes Death of a Salesman, The Speed of Darkness andChinglish, among many others.  Falls has won the Tony Regional Theatre Award and a Tony for Best Direction for Death of a Salesman. David Henry Hwang is a critically acclaimed playwright and opera librettist best known for writing M. Butterfly, for which he won a Tony Award®, Drama Desk™ Award and Outer Critics Circle™ Award. Other notable credits include Disney’s Tarzan,Golden Child, Yellow Face, Chinglish, 1000 Airplanes on the Roof,An American Soldier and Dream of the Red Chamber.
Elton John (Music) is the musical genius behind Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA, among many of today’s contemporary classics and biggest hits.  He has earned 38 gold and 27 platinum or multi-platinum albums, sold more than 250 million records and holds the record for largest selling single of all time. He has toured the world since 1969 with the Elton John band. John’s compositions for 1994 Disney animation film The Lion King won an Academy Award® for Best Original Song.  In 1998, he composed for The Lion King on Broadway which won six Tonys. In 2000 he won the Tony Award® for Best Original Score for AIDA. John also wrote for Billy Elliot the Musical, which won the 2005 Olivier Award for Best Musical.  Additionally, John has earned five Grammy® Awards.

Tim Rice (Lyrics) is one of the most accomplished lyricists and librettists of today.  His work spans multiple genres, decades and has been recognized with a myriad of awards.  His collaborative work with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Jesus Christ Superstar earned him international fame as well as a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. The pair again achieved greatness with Broadway hit Evita which won a Tony Award® for Best Book of a Musical. In 1982, Rice’s contributions to Broadway sensation Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat garnered Tony nominations for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. Following Joseph, Rice lent his talents to Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast.Subsequently, he worked on Blondel and Chess. Rice collaborated with Elton John for the Disney movie and later stage adaptation ofThe Lion King. He also wrote for the Disney animated film Aladdin, which also appeared on Broadway and earned a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. Additionally, Rice has won three Academy Awards®, three Golden Globes® and a Grammy®.
Performance Schedule for Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA

Tuesday	July 26	8 p.m.
Wednesday	July 27	8 p.m.
Thursday	July 28	8 p.m.
Friday	July 29	8 p.m.
Saturday	July 30	2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday	July 31	2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

TICKETS
Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Tickets start at $25. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call our Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for further information.

Dreamweaver Marketing News, "Dear Boy" at Pittsburgh's Hot Metal Musicals Incubator

Media Contact: Stephanie Riso

stephanieriso@comcast.net

(412)979-5750 (cell/text)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dear Boy Kicks-Off Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh’s Hot Metal Musicals Incubator in June

Pittsburgh, PA – June 14, 2016. On Monday, June 27, 2016, MTAP--Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh launches Hot Metal Musicals Incubator with Dear Boy, book and lyrics by Jeanne Drennan and music by David Berlin, to be presented as a reading at 7:00pm at the Pittsburgh CLO’s Charles Gray Auditorium, 130 CLO Academy Way in downtown Pittsburgh.

Stephanie Riso, producer

Dear Boy has seen much development since its debut reading in 2010 under the guidance of producer Stephanie Riso while at Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre (PICT).  The piece has continued to grow and evolve, benefitting from workshops of act one and act two at the University of Pittsburgh and MTAP respectively. 

Librettist and lyricist Jeanne Drennan, who also serves as MTAP’s Managing Director, commented on the direct impact that the Hot Metal Musicals Incubator will provide. 

“Since that initial reading David and I have made huge changes to the work: to the music, to what parts of the story get pulled into the foreground, to the inherent theatricality and the comedy that goes along with it. But since 2010 we haven't had the opportunity to see the entire show presented as seamlessly as possible. So that, and the immediate audience response to the show, will tell us what more we need to do before the show is ready for production.”

Jeanne Drennan (book/lyrics) comes to musical theatre naturally through her work as a 12 Dogs and Get out of Dodge, with the latter play to be produced this November at the Venice Theater in Venice, FL. Drennan has had plays produced or developed in a range of theatres from tiny places in New York to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Bay Area Playwrights Festival.

playwright, with seven fellowships from the PA Council on the Arts to her credit along with awards for her plays

David Berlin (composer) has collaborated extensively in dance-theater and multi-artist performances, and Dear Boy marks his first foray into musical theatre. Primarily a teacher and educator with orchestral compositions performed nationally and internally by such groups as the Philadelphia Classical Symphony Orchestra, the Renaissance City Woodwind Quintet, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Sterbrooke Ensemble at NYC’s Carnegie Hall and Galapagos ArtSpace in Brooklyn, his experience collaborating with artists such as dancers and poets position him well for the extensive reworking involved in bringing a new musical to life.

About Dear Boy

Dear Boy presents the true story of parental love gone haywire in the 18^th century.  The Earl of Chesterfield, a man who in the 1740s was in reality a significant political player in England, is remembered chiefly today for his many letters to his illegitimate son, Stanhope, a boy he sent off to be raised as a gentleman and scholar. As was the case through his letters, Chesterfield in Dear Boy seeks to control every detail of his son’s life, from his education and training to his choice in love.  In fact, he knows nothing of his son's secret life as a husband to Eugenia and father to two children. This news, when it comes, leaves the family in jeopardy unless the earl can overcome a profound sense of betrayal.

About The Cast

The cast features Michael Marra as the Earl of Chesterfield, Stanley Graham as his son Stanhope, and Hilary Caldwell as Eugenia. Cyndi Plyler as Mrs. Gimlet leads an ensemble that includes Hope Anthony as Companion and Sara Fisher as Mlle. du Bouchet, plus Rob James, Ryan Patrick Kearney and Nick Mitchell.

Michael Marra (Chesterfield), a Butler resident, has performed on Broadway in Les Miserables - subsequently joining the 3^rd national tour with the show. He also was in the first national tour of Jekyll & Hyde, and worked regionally with Pittsburgh CLO in The Producers. In addition to live industrials, theme park, and cruise ship work, Marra’s credits include Off-Off Broadway appearances and regional roles with The Strand Theater, Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, Richland Performing Arts Center, Harlequin Dinner Theatre, Weathervane Playhouse and Mountain Playhouse.

Stanley Graham (Stanhope) graduated from Point Park University Oklahoma!, Percy Brown in The Boyfriend and Joseph Surface in The School for Scandal. Regionally, Graham has performed twice with the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops, with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, and recently played John Wilkes Booth in Assassins at Stage 62.
in 2015 with a B.F.A. in musical theatre. While at Point Park he played leading roles such as Curly in

Hilary Caldwell (Eugenia) appeared in MTAP’s reading of new musical in development Kitty in November 2015. A graduate of Penn State, Caldwell performed with No Refund Theatre, Penn State Thespians and the Penn State School of Theatre. Recent Pittsburgh credits include: Pitti-Sing in The Mikado with Pittsburgh Savoyards, Hope Langdon inSomething’s Afoot with South Park Theatre, and was the swing for A Grand Night for Singing with Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center and company member with the 2016 Pittsburgh CLO Gallery of Heroes touring show.

Hope Anthony (Companion) is a Point Park University Conservatory graduate. Recent stage credits include Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Georgia in The Exonerated, Vivian in A Lesson Before Dying, Alma in The Music Man, Bessie in The Civil War, A Dynamite in Hairspray, Gladys in Lunch Lady Cabaret, Lillith in Cult Classic at Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, and Tess in A Pirate’s Tale on the Gateway Clipper Fleet.

Sara Ashley Fisher (Mlle. du Bouchet) is the Producing Artistic Director of 12 Peers Theater.  Sara was previously in the ensemble for the private reading of Dear Boy for MTAP.  Sara has performed with 12 Peers Theater, Unseam'd Shakespeare, Pittsburgh Playwright Theater, Prime Stage Theatre, Pittsburgh New Works Festival and The Theater Factory.  Up next, Sara will be performing in The Birds by Conor McPherson for 12 Peers Theater August 4-21 at the Pitt Studio Theatre in Oakland.

Rob James (ensemble) works for the Pittsburgh CLO Creative Vision Program. Some favorite roles have been Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q, Roger Debris in The Producers, Dave in The Full Monty, and most recently Sam Byck  in Assassins all at Stage 62 in Carnegie. Next adventure with Stephen Santa: Raph/Darth Cancer in Dani Girl at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Ryan Patrick Kearney (ensemble) was recently in the Saint Vincent's Summer Theater production of Route 66 in Latrobe and Off the Wall Theater's production of The Musical of Musicals (the Musical!) in Carnegie! Other theater credits and staged readings have been with The Pittsburgh CLO (Plaid Tidings, The Invention of Edison), Prime Stage (The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451), South Park Theater (Forever Plaid,Nuncrackers), Stage 62 (Titanic, Evita) and others.

Nick Mitchell (ensemble) originated roles in Cactus (12 Peers), The Next Galileo (Pittsburgh CLO Gallery of Heroes), and will again direct for Cup-a-Jo Productions at Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Since moving to the area nine years ago, Nick has been an active actor/director in the area. He was previously the Associate Artistic Director for The Company of Pittsburgh where he directed The Last 5 Years and [title of show]. He directs for South Park Theater, The Pittsburgh Savoyards, Stage 62, Mckeesport Little Theater, Mon River Arts, Americana Theater in Plymouth, Mass., and is resident director at Plum High School.

Cyndi Plyler (Mrs. Gimlet) has performed with many area theatres in the Cranberry Township area including An Amish Family Christmas. Roles include several runs as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Johnston in Blood Brothers, Patsy Cline in Always…Patsy Cline, Maggie in The Shadow Box, and Jean in Good People.  Recently she has been seen at the Strand Theatre in Zelienople in their productions of Oliver (Mrs. Sowerberry), Eulalie Shin in The Music Man, A USO Christmas and Frosty Grinch & Friends.   
Comtra Theatre, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center and the Canadian tour of 

The Creative Team

The reading will be directed by Stephen Santa who previously directed the MTAP reading of Off With Her Maidenheadin 2013 which was the same year he was named one of the top directors in Pittsburgh by CBS Local On-line. Santa has staged over 30 productions in the Pittsburgh area and beyond including UNCHARTED: The Music of Anna K. Jacobs and a concert workshop of TEETH a New Musical both performed at Arts Nova Theatre, NYC.

Music-direction will be by Nick Stamatakis, who has music directed, composed and accompanied for collegiate, community and comedic theater organizations throughout the Pittsburgh area including: Arcade Comedy Theater, Throughline Theatre Company, Sewickley Area Theater Company, Alarum Theatre, Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh and UPStages/Pitt Reparatory Theatre.  Nick also serves as Music/Vocal Director for productions at Montour High School, and serves on the Executive Board of the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival (Aug 25-27).

This Incubator reading of Dear Boy will be produced by MTAP member Vince Ventura, Artistic Director of 12 Peers Theater, with stage management by Mia Rosenfeld. The 2016 Incubator readings are being presented with extensive cooperation and support from the Pittsburgh CLO.

About MTAP

MTAP--Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh--brings together a group of local and regional artists working in a wide range of musical theatre expression, from solo cabaret to full-length narrative musical theatre. The group exists not only to support the development of work members bring in, but also to be an incubator where new works of musical theatre come into being and are nurtured.

MTAP meets monthly between September and May for networking, collaborations, new work development and presentations of work in progress. We are seeking aspiring or established composers, lyricists, librettists, playwrights, performers, professionals, producers and anyone interested in new musical development. To receive regular emails from MTAP about meetings, special events, and opportunities, send an email to mtapgh@gmail.com.

Fact Sheet

Who:     MTAP – Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh
What:    Hot Metal Musicals Incubator, Dear Boy book/lyrics by Jeanne Drennan, music by David Berlin
Where: Charles Gray Auditorium, CLO Academy, 130 CLO Academy Way 8^th Floor, Pgh, PA 15222
When: Monday, June 27, 2016, 7pm
Cost:      Free and Open to the Public
Reservations encouraged: Event Page to RSVP is  https://www.artful.ly/store/events/9298

Details: The Incubator allows a public audience to become involved in the early stages of a new musical’s long and often arduous journey toward full production. Featuring musical works in development by area artists. Visit mtap.weebly.com for more details on the specific presentations. 

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