Charlotte's Web Weaves a Tale of Bravery, Love and Friendship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date:
December 12, 2011

Contact:
Diana Roth
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
(412) 471-8717
roth@trustarts.org

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

Charlotte’s Web, Pittsburgh premiere performed by Theatreworks USA, and presented by Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater

January 8-15, 2012
Six performance locations throughout Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents Theatreworks USA in the Pittsburgh premiere of the stage adaption of Charlotte’s Web from January 8-15, 2012 at six performance locations throughout the area. Performance locations include: City: Byham Theater, January 8 at 2:00 p.m.  Student Matinee: January 9 at 10:15 a.m.; East: Gateway High School, January 11 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Our North location has changed to Carson Middle School, January 12 at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. ; West: Moon Area High School, January 13 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Upper St. Clair High School, January 14 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.

Theatreworks USA’s live stage performance of Charlotte’s Web, by Joseph Robinette, has toured across the country since fall 1993, and is based upon the Newbery Medal-winning book by E. B. White. The stage performance follows White’s classic story of a pig named Wilbur who is saved from the slaughterhouse by a gifted little barn spider named Charlotte. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. A cast of six actors, directed by Rob Barron, portrays the familiar and loveable characters that include Fern, Homer, and Templeton the rat, with incidental music by Jeffrey Lunden. The scenic design by James D. Sandefur and costumes by Anne-Marie Wright also help to enhance this courageous tale of friendship. This 60-minute play is recommended for children ages 5 and up.

Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has enlightened, entertained, and instructed more than 68 million people in 49 states and Canada and is America's largest and most prolific professional not-for-profit theatre for young and family audiences. The company tours approximately 16 shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 110 plays and musicals, performing for about four million people annually. Under the direction of Barbara Pasternack (Artistic Director) and Ken Arthur (Managing Director), Theatreworks USA is the only children's theatre to receive both a Drama Desk and a Lucille Lortel Award, and they are known for an extensive multi-cultural guest artist roster, including storytellers, puppeteers, poets, and magicians.

Joseph Robinette is the author of 51 published plays and musicals, including The Fabulous Fable Factory, written with composer Thomas Tierney, and Charlotte's Web, two of the most widely produced children's plays in the United States. He has also dramatized the authorized stage versions of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Paper Chase, and A Rose for Emily. In 2004, he received the American Association for Theatre and Education's best play award for his adaptation of Sarah, Plain and Tall, and in 2006, he was awarded the Children's Theatre Foundation of America Medallion "...for his body of dramatic works for children and young people in the United States and beyond." -Dramaticpublishing.com

Elwyn Brooks White, or E.B. White, is known both for his work in children’s classics and in modern American essays, largely through his contributions to The New Yorker magazine. White remained a contributing editor for The New Yorker magazine from the year 1927 until his death in 1985, and is still remembered for his long-lasting column, One Man’s Meat. White is also famous for a collection of poetry, The Fox of Peapack, and his editing of The Subtreasury of American Humor. In the world of children’s literature, White is known for such classics as Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swan.

Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.TrustArts.org/kids, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930; for season subscription call (412) 456-1390.

Adam and Anthony Perform Joint Concert at the Byham

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date: September 6, 2011

Adam & Anthony

Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 pm

Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, stars of the iconic Broadway musical Rent, will perform a joint concert on Thursday, September 22, 2011, at 7:30 pm at the Byham Theater. The concert is a part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “A smart one-two punch of a concert, this equalized double bill not only allowed each of these two accomplished performers to strut their personal best individually…and gave their fan base the revered songs they came to hear” (Broadway World).

The two Broadway veterans return to the concert stage combining music from Rent with performances from individual careers. Combining songs from the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical with stories of their friendship and time working on the production, Rapp and Pascal are thrilling the audiences with their up-close-and-personal concert. In addition to the selections from Rent, Rapp and Pascal will be presenting individual material as well. Rapp’s selections include familiar pop songs as well as original material from his award-winning Off-Broadway show Without You. Pascal will be performing original material, as well as modern arrangements of classic Broadway tunes.

Adam Pascal joined the cast of the then Off-Broadway production of Rent in 1996 in the role of Roger Davis, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award and won Drama League and Obie awards. He went on to star in Broadway productions such as Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida and the Emcee in the Broadway revival of Cabaret. He recently appeared as Freddie Trumper in the Chess concerts in London, also featuring Josh Groban and fellow Rentco-star Idina Menzel, which were broadcast to PBS and released on both CD and DVD. As a solo artist, Pascal has released three albums: Model Prisoner, Civilian, and his latest, Blinding Light.

Anthony Rapp began acting very young, making his stage debut at the age of nine. Best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen in Rent, his additional, numerous stage credits include You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Hedwig and the Angry Inch; and Bright Lights, Big City. In 2000, he found success as a solo artist when he released his debut album, Look Around. Rapp has also worked as an author, publishing Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent. Rapp can be next seen in the film 17 Photos of Isabel, opposite Natalie Portman, Lisa Kudrow, and Jeffery Dean Morgan.

Tickets ($20.00, $30.00, $40.00)for the September 22, 2011 performance of Adam & Anthony at the Byham Theater may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, online at www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.
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WICKED Lottery for $25 Orchestra Seats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date: August 31, 2011

Contact: Veronica Corpuz, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

WICKED announces lottery for $25 seats

September 7 - October 2, 2011 - Benedum Center

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held daily for WICKED, which will be performing from Wednesday, September 7 through Sunday, October 2, at the Benedum Center. Each day, 2½ hours prior to show time people who present themselves at the Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh will have their names placed in a lottery drum and then thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person.

WICKED, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Disney’s Enchanted, Academy Award winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”), is based on the 1995 best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire. The musical 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…). WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

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, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

WICKED features set design by Tony Award winning Eugene Lee (Ragtime,Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony winner Susan Hilferty (Spring Awakening, Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony nominee Kenneth Posner (Tony Award winner for The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King). Stephen Oremus is the show’s music director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

WICKED has “cast quite a spell” (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston to name a few.

Called “a cultural phenomenon” by Variety, WICKED continues to thrill audiences around the world. There are currently seven productions of WICKED worldwide, including two North American tours, a Broadway production, London production, a Japanese-language production, a German-language production and Australian production. A Dutch-language production of WICKED will open in November 2011.

The return engagement of WICKED, Wednesday, September 7-Sunday, October 2, at the Benedum Center, is a season special, part of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series, a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony.

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 1 p.m. matinee.

Tickets are selling fast and many performances are close to selling out. Best availability is for weeknight performances and the Thursday matinee. For ticket information call (412) 456-4800 or visit www.pgharts.org.

*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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Cultural Trust Legal Society Pledge Support for the Arts

Contact:

Veronica Corpuz,

412-471-6082

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces new funding support: The Trust’s new Legal Society to raise $1,200,000 in support for the Trust


PITTSBURGH, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has announced the commencement of the “Cultural Trust Legal Society,” a group of the Pittsburgh region’s most prominent law firms that has collaborated on a visionary program to support the mission of the Cultural Trust. The Legal Society consists of 18 of Pittsburgh’s leading law firms that have pledged $240,000 in annual support to the Cultural Trust through 2015.


Spearheaded by volunteer board members Chester R. Babst and Thomas L. VanKirk, the Cultural Trust Legal Society was created in response to the shifting landscape of the economic environment and financial support for the arts. The Legal Society is one initiative among many that the Cultural Trust has instituted to balance its $51-million operating budget.


"The Legal Society members recognize the tremendous contribution the Cultural Trust has made to the quality of life in our region—for residents, visitors and members of the business community,” said Mr. Babst, a founding shareholder of Babst Calland. “The member firms of the newly-formed Legal Society recognize the significant benefits created by the Trust and have joined together to pledge their financial support so that this wonderful organization can continue to provide the region with world-class performing and visual arts events, as well as redevelop major sections of downtown Pittsburgh.”


“We’re extremely grateful for the generosity of the Legal Society Members,” noted J. Kevin McMahon, President and CEO, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “Having such a significant and meaningful financial commitment come from a collective group made up of competing businesses is truly unique and clearly shows the commitment of the members of the Legal Society to this region and its residents. It is an extraordinary example of the Pittsburgh legal community taking the initiative to help support the important mission of the Cultural Trust.”

Members of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Legal Society include:

Babst Calland

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney P.C.

Cohen & Grigsby, P.C.

Dickie McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.

Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC

Flaherty & O'Hara, P.C.

Goehring Rutter & Boehm

K & L Gates LLP

Littler Mendelson P.C.

Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Pepper Hamilton LLP

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP

Reed Smith LLP

Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP

Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C.

The Webb Law Firm, P.C.

Tucker Arensberg, P.C.

(As of July 5, 2011)



Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust offers a wide range of performing and visual arts, has restored the Cultural District in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh through the acquisition and development of real estate and serves as a steward of the investments and collaborations that continue to enhance the Cultural District neighborhood.

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Jesse Hulcher Exhibition STRAIGHT OUTTA CompUSA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Jesse Hulcher

STRAIGHT OUTTA CompUSA

February 25 – May 1, 2011

SPACE, 812 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh PA


PITTSBURGH, PA: New technology can help us to communicate. It can help us to be creative, if we need help. But sometimes new technology can be difficult to use. Sometimes there's a learning curve. In this upcoming exhibition at SPACE we’ll see Jesse Hulcher having the time of his iLife as he tries to find a use for the internet.

About Jesse Hulcher

Born in 1980, Raleigh, NC native Jesse Hulcher works with video, audio, text, code and anything that can be made with a computer or bought at Best Buy. Hulcher explores the many ways in which people use media and how they navigate their network of mass-marketing tools for the purposes of individual expression. His work has been exhibited across the U.S., Europe, Japan and more importantly, on the internet. Hulcher earned a MFA from Carnegie Mellon University in 2006. He currently checks his email in San Diego, California.

GALLERY DETAILS

SPACE is located at 812 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District.

Hours:

Wednesday & Thursday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SPACE is a Visual Arts project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 412-325-7723 or visit spacepittsburgh.org



EXHIBIT DETAILS

Jesse Hulcher STRAIGHT OUTTA CompUSA runs from February 25 – May 1, 2011
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Nicoletta Giacchino to Perform at First Night Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




Media Contacts:

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Lauren Bracey
(412) 471-3591

Equitable Gas
Scott Waitlevertch
(412) 395-2314

FRANKLIN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENT WINS SING-OFF

Nicoletta Giacchino to perform at First Night Pittsburgh

As part of its staunch commitment to opening opportunities for young people in its service territory, Equitable Gas Company initiated a sing-off competition for musically talented students in the region. Created in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Equitable Gas Sing-Off is an exciting new component of the upcoming 2010 First Night Pittsburgh activities.

Similar to a number of talent shows currently popular on television, students from grades six through 12 affiliated with a middle or high school in Southwestern Pennsylvania were invited to submit an audition performance. Entries conveying the spirit of the New Year, celebration, resolution or hope on video were submitted via YouTube and were then open to online voting.

The voting was very competitive, with a near tie among the three finalist entries. Amidst this tough competition, Equitable Gas proudly announces Nicoletta Giacchino, a 17-year-old senior from Franklin Regional High School, is the winner of the 2010 Equitable Gas Sing-Off competition.

Says Ms. Giacchino, “I am very honored to be the Equitable Gas Sing-Off winner. I would like to thank Equitable Gas and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for providing such a wonderful opportunity and for keeping the arts alive in Pittsburgh.”

Ms. Giacchino has been working toward a professional music career all of her life. She made her first singing recordings at the age of 10 and has taken steps since then to become a first-rate well rounded performer. She also developed her stage presence by studying ballet, tap, jazz, theater, and gymnastics. Now, with help of mentor Walt Maddox, (Christina Aguilera’s mentor), Ms. Giacchino is developing her own style and finding her professional voice.

“Equitable Gas is pleased to once again sponsor First Night® Pittsburgh and support The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in its annual presentation of this premier holiday event,” said Bill Lucas, Executive Vice President of Equitable Gas. “We congratulate Nicoletta Giacchino, winner of the Equitable Gas Sing-Off, and all of the talented young people who participated in this new community initiative.”

Ms. Giacchino will perform live as the opening act for the 6:30 p.m. Equitable Gas Marquee Performance of Squonk Opera at the Byham Theater during First Night. A First Night® button and a free seating voucher are required to attend the performance.

First Night® buttons ($8 advance/$10 at the door) are available at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at firstnightpgh.org, by phone by calling 412-456-6666, and at participating Giant Eagle locations. Free seating vouchers are available at the Box Office at Theater Square or by calling 412-456-6666.

About First Night® Pittsburgh

First Night® is the largest one-day outreach event of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has led the way for the creation and ongoing development of Pittsburgh’s award-winning Cultural District. Utilizing the arts as a means for transforming a formerly blighted downtown, the Cultural Trust today welcomes over a million visitors annually to thousands of performances, gallery exhibitions and community events.

About Equitable Gas Company

Equitable Gas Company is a provider of safe and dependable natural gas service to approximately 275,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers located mainly in the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Its customer base also includes more than 200 municipalities in nine other counties in western Pennsylvania, 12 counties in central and northern West Virginia, and nine counties in eastern Kentucky. Additional information about Equitable Gas can be obtained through its Web site at www.equitablegas.com.

Salsa Fridays Celebrates 100th Night of Salsa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: Veronica Corpuz, 412-471-6082

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's

Popular Salsa Fridays

Celebrates Milestone with 100 Nights of Salsa

PITTSBURGH: On Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10 P.M., The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust marks its 100th Salsa Fridays with a big 70s theme bash. Established in 2008, Salsa Fridays is the Cultural District's sizzling dance party held every Friday night at the Trust's intimate Cabaret at Theater Square.

Attendees are encouraged to don nostalgic tie-die, flared jeans, peace symbols and sandals for a lively 70s dance party with a Latino flavor. Guest Deejay Marc Brewer from Detroit and Pittsburgh's leading ambassador of Salsa, Jeff Shirey, will fill the Cabaret at Theater Square with spicy Salsa rhythms to fill the dance floor.

Admission for Salsa Fridays is only $5 at the door. Admission is free (space permitting), for attendees with a ticket stub from an earlier Friday night show in the Cultural District. Salsa Fridays is a 21+ event.

The Cabaret at Theater Square is located at 655 Penn Avenue in the heart of the Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District. For more information on the Cabaret at Theater Square's late night, weekend entertainment, visit pgharts.org or call 412-456-6666.

Maceo Parker, Legendary Saxman at The Byham

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

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

Diana Roth
412-471-8717
 roth@pgharts.org

Electronic artwork is available upon request.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

presents

legendary R&B saxman

MACEO PARKER

Sunday, January 16, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.

Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

PITTSBURGH, PA  The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents R&B funk legend Maceo Parker and his band on Sunday, January 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m., at the Byham Theater. This performance is part of the 2010-2011 Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. Tickets ($20.75, $32.75, $37.75) may be purchased in-person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, online at pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more group tickets, call (412) 471-6930.

Revered for his impeccable pedigree and leading the world's tightest funk orchestra, the saxophone titan has played with Funk legends James Brown, George Clinton and Bootsy Collins, among others. Collaborations with Ray Charles, Ani Difranco, James Taylor, De La Soul, Dave Matthews and Red Hot Chili Peppers have introduced him to an exuberant, younger fan base.

"Everything's coming up Maceo," concluded DownBeat Magazine in a 1991 article at the beginning of Maceo Parker's solo career. At the time Maceo was a remembered by aficionados of funk music as sideman; appreciated mainly by those in the know. For the past two decades, Maceo has been building a new funk empire, fresh and stylistically diverse, navigating deftly between James Brown's 1960's soul and George Clinton's 1970's freaky funk while exploring mellower jazz and the grooves of hip-hop.

His solo career recording highlights include 10 weeks at the top of Billboard's Jazz Charts for his recording Roots Revisited (1990) and "funk fan favorite" Live on Planet Groove, recorded live in 1992. Parker's recordings Funk Overload, Dial M-A-C-E-O and Made by Maceo all reached the top 40 charts in Europe. "Maceo Parker is a funk titan. " "Parker must be regarded as simply one of the all-time great saxophonists. He stretched the boundaries of music, fashioned a new style of playing and, most importantly, made some truly great music" (Mercury San Francisco).

Mr. Parker is the recipient of the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation for his leadership contributions to the genre of rhythm and blues. "Quite simply, there is no better showman than Maceo Parker. Catching one of the alto sax maestro's marathon three-hour shows is a truly transcendental experience for any fan of funk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B and soul: His performances are "a funky, funky good time (Westworld)."

Artist website: http://www.maceo.com/biography.html

ParkPGH Innovative Parking Solution for Cultural District

FOR RELEASE: December 15, 2010


Media Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
412-471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust unveils city’s first mobile “smart” parking solution for Cultural District garages

Pittsburgh, PA: This morning The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust launched the pilot program ParkPGH [Park P-G-H], the city’s first comprehensive “smart” parking solution that delivers real-time information about parking availability in all Cultural District garages. This technology-based program, funded by The Benter Foundation, delivers space availability by way of an iPhone application, a traditional website, a mobile website, text messaging, and through a call-in telephone service.

“One of the perceived barriers to the Cultural District has traditionally been access to parking,” said J. Kevin McMahon, President and CEO of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “Our goal in launching ParkPGH is to reduce stress for arts patrons, increase more impromptu visits to the District, decrease the number of latecomers to performances, and further improve the overall visitor experience of enjoying Downtown retail and entertainment.”

“The Benter Foundation is pleased to support development of these smart technologies to make parking easier in the Cultural District,” said Bill Benter, President of The Benter Foundation. “These applications will guide visitors to open spaces right when they’re needed, easing traffic congestion, reducing energy and making the Cultural District an even more inviting destination. This pilot should help to enhance the vitality of Pittsburgh.”

In the pilot phase, eight parking lots are currently transmitting real-time information: five Alco Parking-managed garages (Theater Square, 6th and Penn Avenue, Convention Center, Three PNC Plaza, Town Place) and four Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garages (Grant Street Transportation Center, Ft. Duquesne and 6th Street, Smithfield & Liberty). The Pittsburgh Parking Authority garage located at 9th and Penn Avenue will be added in January 2011, totaling more than 5300 spaces monitored by the ParkPGH system and representing 25% of garage parking in Downtown Pittsburgh. The program serves two million visitors to the Cultural District annually and approximately 149,700 daily commuters.

Once the initial phase is assessed, enhancements and plans for ParkPGH will extend to other areas for citywide use of the technologies. “ParkPGH is a great opportunity to highlight how Pittsburgh is deploying technology to advance intelligent transportation solutions. This pilot program is one aspect of a multidisciplinary approach that will help brand the region as a learning lab for smart transportation,” said Rick Stafford, director of Traffic21, a research initiative of Carnegie Mellon University.

“ParkPGH is an exciting initiative that figures into the city’s long-term transportation plan of MovePGH. The program helps to raise the national profile of Pittsburgh as a ‘smart transportation’ city that successfully showcases the collaboration among our cultural and educational institutions,” noted The Hon. Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh.

In addition to The Benter Foundation and Traffic21, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s ParkPGH program is made possible through and its partners: Pittsburgh Parking Authority, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Hillman Foundation, Numeritics, and Alco Parking. ParkPGH was built by Deeplocal.

PARKPGH DELIVERY MECHANISMS

ParkPGH operates on a system that calculates the number of parking spaces available in Cultural District garages every 30 seconds. Patrons who use the system will know the capacity of each garage through a Green/Yellow/Red grade and a numerical update for the number of spaces available.

iPhone

A free iPhone app is available at the iPhone App Store. The app features a scrollable view, listing each available parking lot and its parking space availability along with Cultural District destinations. The information can be manually refreshed by the end-user. Clicking on the parking lot will reveal more information, such as address, map and pricing. Patrons can view a map with each parking space and availability as well as the user’s current location (if GPS is enabled). This will help visitors to pick the closest parking lot to their location.

ParkPGH.org

The website, ParkPGH.org, offers a web page with a list of parking lots and their parking space availabilities. Clicking on a lot will provide the user with an address, map, and options to get directions to the parking lot. Pricing information will also be displayed.

In addition to parking garage information, popular destinations will also be displayed so that visitors can locate their targeted destination and find the closest available parking.

Mobile Website

A mobile version of the website, m.parkpgh.org, provides the same information as the traditional website but will be optimized for all mobile devices, including Blackberries and Andriod Phones.

SMS

Visitors can text PARKING to 412-423-8980 to obtain a list of downtown parking lots.

Voice

Similar to the SMS offering, visitors may call 412-423-8980 to receive a list of parking lots with available space. A text-to-speech system will announce the parking lot names and the available spaces for each lot.



ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST

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.
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First Night® Features Events, Tower of Power

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2010


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

Lauren Bracey
412-471-3591
bracey@pgharts.org

Electronic art is available for download at pressroom.pgharts.org

FIRST NIGHT® PITTSBURGH 2011

is entertainment hub during historic weekend

First Night® features more than 100 events including headliner Tower of Power

Friday, December 31, 2010, 6 pm – Midnight

In the heart of the Cultural District

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District with The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s First Night® Pittsburgh 2011. This family-friendly community event is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, with generous support from lead sponsor Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. During this momentous weekend of entertainment, the city will revel in a joyous celebration of the arts: dance, music, theater, comedy, magic, visual art and film, plus hands-on activities for children and adults.

“During this exciting weekend for Pittsburgh, First Night will serve as a gateway of fun and entertainment offering an incredibly diverse selection of programming on New Year’s Eve,” said David O’Brien, Executive Vice President, Government Services and External Affairs for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “First Night presents a creative, affordable, and healthy New Year’s Eve celebration that makes the most of our city’s wealth of artistic talent. Highmark is proud to mark its fifth year as the lead sponsor of First Night.”

Adds Kathryn Heidemann, Director of First Night Pittsburgh: “We’re thrilled to welcome tens of thousands of First Night visitors, including the many Winter Classic patrons, to the heart of the Cultural District. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to host this community event and to introduce Pittsburgh to premiere artists such as the Neo-Futurists, a Chicago-based theater company, and acclaimed saxophonist Tia Fuller, among many others.”

First Night® Pittsburgh begins at 6 pm with the Dollar Bank Children’s Fireworks Display and performances by One World Tribe on the Dollar Bank Stage, followed by the First Niagara First Night® Parade at 8 pm. This year’s parade will have a “Winter Wonderland” theme with penguin puppets and Iceburgh as a programming thread to the Winter Classic. The evening concludes with a performance by Tower of Power and the First Night® tradition, The Countdown to Midnight and Future of Pittsburgh Grand Finale atop Penn Avenue Place. The Highmark Stage, where all the First Night® revelry concludes, is located on Penn Avenue next to Fifth Avenue Place. The newest venue is the former Bally’s Building, which will have half a dozen workshops and activities.

Among the 125 events and activities held in 50 venues throughout the Cultural District, other special First Night® Pittsburgh attractions include the First National Bank Family Tent; Equitable Gas marquee performances featuring Squonk Opera at the Byham Theater and the Neo-Futurists at the O’Reilly Theater; Tia Fuller (who has performed with Beyoncé) at the Trust Arts Education Center; First Night Around the World international performances at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture and other venues. For a complete listing of events, visit firstnightpgh.org or call 412-456-6666.

FIRST NIGHT® BUTTONS

To join the celebration, simply purchase an all-access First Night® Pittsburgh 2011 Button. A First Night® button costs only $8 in advance, $10 at the door; children age 5 and under are admitted for free. First Night® buttons are available at participating Giant Eagle stores, at The Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.firstnightpgh.org, and by calling 412-456-6666.

Due to their overwhelming popularity and limited seating in Cultural District theaters, a free General Admission Seating Voucher is necessary to see the performances of Squonk Opera, the Neo-Futurists, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Attack Theatre, Dan Kamin, Pittsburgh Gospel All City Choir and Jason Hudy’s Magic Show. Vouchers are available at The Box Office at Theater Square beginning Wednesday, December 7, 2010. Simply show a First Night® button to obtain one seating voucher per production. The Box Office at Theater Square is located at 655 Penn Avenue between the O’Reilly Theater and Katz Plaza.

There will be general admission waiting lines for performances at all “vouchered” venues. Patrons will be seated on a space-available and first-come, first-served basis once voucher holders have been accommodated. Box Office hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 am to 9 pm and Sunday, noon to 6 pm.

VOLUNTEERS

First Night needs volunteers for numerous jobs–from button checkers to activity helpers to parade assistants. Families, co-workers, school groups and individuals of all ages are needed to help us ring in 2011 in a fun, alcohol-free, family-friendly way. To volunteer with First Night, sign up at www.firstnightpgh.org.

SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNERS

First Night® Pittsburgh 2011 Sponsors as of release date include: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as the lead sponsor, Dollar Bank, Equitable Gas, First National Bank, First Niagara Bank, Giant Eagle, and PNC.

First Night® Pittsburgh 2011 Community Supporters include County of Allegheny, The Buhl Foundation, The Grable Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation.

First Night® Pittsburgh 2011 Media Partners include Trib Total Media, KDKA TV, BOB 96.9 FM, Q 92.9 FM, Radio Disney, STAR 100.7, WDUQ 90.5 FM, 91.3fm WYEP and Y108.

ABOUT FIRST NIGHT PITTSBURGH

First Night® is the largest one-day outreach event of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has led the way for the creation and ongoing development of Pittsburgh’s award-winning Cultural District. Utilizing the arts as a means for transforming a formerly blighted downtown, the Cultural Trust today welcomes over a million visitors annually to thousands of performances, gallery exhibitions and community events.

First Night Sing-Off Seeks Talented Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


November 15, 2010

Student Stars Sought for First Night Pittsburgh Sing-Off

(Pittsburgh, PA) – As part of its staunch commitment to opening opportunities for young people in its service territory, Equitable Gas Company is searching for musically talented students to audition for the company’s vocal competition. The Equitable Gas Sing-Off is part of the upcoming 2010 First Night® Pittsburgh, a project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, with generous support from lead sponsor Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Similar to a number of talent shows currently popular on television, students from grades six through 12 who are affiliated with a middle or high school in Southwestern Pennsylvania may submit a video audition performance of a song that conveys the spirit of the New Year. Individual students and groups of 20 or fewer should upload a video up to 5 minutes in length to YouTube, then submit it to the contest. Additional contest information and the entry form are available on the First Night® Pittsburgh website, firstnightpgh.org. The application deadline is December 6, 2010.

“Equitable Gas is pleased to once again sponsor some of the key family-friendly activities of First Night Pittsburgh and support The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in its annual presentation of this premier holiday event,” said Bill Lucas, Executive Vice President of Equitable Gas. “We are proud to offer the Equitable Gas Sing-Off, a new activity for young people to showcase their musical talents on New Year’s Eve.”

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Equitable Gas will select up to five finalists, and the community will be invited to vote on these five submissions. The popular vote will help to determine the winner. Award winners will perform live as the opening act for the three Equitable Gas Marquee Performances at the Byham Theater during First Night® Pittsburgh. In addition, winners will have a private cast session with members of a cappella group Straight, No Chaser in mid-December. Finally, winners will receive complimentary First Night® Pittsburgh admission buttons to enjoy the numerous activities that night.

“We are excited to give Pittsburgh youth an opportunity to share their interpretation of what the New Year means to them,” said Kathryn Heidemann, Director of First Night Pittsburgh and Senior Manager of Education & Community Engagement for The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “The Equitable Gas Sing-Off is a perfect addition to First Night Pittsburgh, powerfully depicting celebration, resolution, community and hope through song.”

First Night® Pittsburgh is a joyous celebration of the arts, featuring everything from children’s activities to performances by nationally-known musicians to installations by local artists and a spectacular fireworks finale. First Night® Pittsburgh is a licensee of First Night® USA, the national association of community-based New Year’s Eve arts festivals.

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.

Equitable Gas Company is a provider of safe and dependable natural gas service to approximately 275,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers located mainly in the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Its customer base also includes more than 200 municipalities in nine other counties in western Pennsylvania, 12 counties in central and northern West Virginia, and nine counties in eastern Kentucky. Additional information about Equitable Gas can be obtained through its Web site at www.equitablegas.com.
# # #

Media Contacts:
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Veronica Corpuz, (412) 471-6082
Equitable Gas, Scott Waitlevertch (412) 395-2314

Pittsburgh Premiere of "runt"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
412-471-8062

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Education and Community Engagement Department presents the Pittsburgh premiere of

“runt”

The Trust Arts Education Center

December 2-12, 2010

Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Education and Community Engagement Departmis presenting “runt,” a one-man play by award-winning, Canadian/Jamaican writer/actor, Michael Phillip Edwards, December 2-12, 2010 at the Trust Arts Education Center at 805 Liberty Avenue. “runt” is a powerful autobiographical story of one man’s journey from cowering child to an autonomous man.

As the “runt,” the writer details his relationship with his very charismatic father; a domineering man of “self-made fortune--and cursed to the bone.” Set in the male-dominated society of Jamaica, Michael Phillip Edwards shares stories of his life that have guided him to his self awareness, independence from the projections of others, and the ability to stand on his own.

Edward’s meticulous characterization, powerful writing, and mighty performance have garnered numerous accolades for “runt. According to the LA Times, “runt confronts fear in taut, moving dialogue.” The show won the Fringe First award at the international Edinburgh Theater Festival in Scotland, the Sony Gold Award for Best Radio Drama when it was broadcasted on the BBC.

Janis Burley Wilson, VP for Education/Community Engagement says, “It’s a fantastic project and we’re very proud to have an opportunity to bring this show to Pittsburgh. It’s a very important theatre piece, acclaimed internationally, and now Pittsburgh will be among the fortunate cities to have witnessed ‘runt.’”

Michael Phillip Edward will be here in Pittsburgh for an extended stay, conducting acting/writing workshops on what he calls “The runt Method,” and engaging with Pittsburgh’s rich theatre community. One workshop in particular, will be hosted by Mark Clayton Southers of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre and Patrick Jordan of Barebones Theatre Company on Monday, November 29, at 7:00 pm at the Trust Education Center. The cost of this workshop is $25 and includes a post-workshop reception. To register, call 412-471-6079.


DETAILS:

“runt”

A Play written by and starring

Michael Phillip Edwards

Thursday-Saturday, December 2-4 and December 9-11, at 8PM

Sunday, December 5 and December 12 at 2PM

A “raw, comic, electric ride”, Runt is an autobiographical account of the struggles between himself “the Runt” and his Jamaican father.

Winner of the Fringe First award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2001

Winner of the BBC Sony Gold Award for best Radio Drama, 2003

Nov. 29, “RUNT” method acting/writing workshop, conducted by Michael Phillip Edwards, post-workshop reception hosted by Patrick Jordan (Barebones Productions) and Mark Clayton Southers (Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company)

December 4, Meet the Playwright and Post-Show Talk

December 11, Jamaica Night Post-Show Party with DJ Soy Sos

Tickets: $25.75

Outlets: Box Office at Theater Square, pgharts.org, 412-456-6666
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Mary Poppins Comes to The Benedum in January

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

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

Diana Roth
412-471-8717
roth@pgharts.org

Electronic images are available upon request.

PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh

Announces on-sale ticket information for

MARY POPPINS

Performing at the Benedum Center, January 5-23, 2011

Tickets for this production go on sale Friday, November 12, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. (EST)

Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announce today that tickets to the Broadway touring production of MARY POPPINS will go on sale to the public on Friday, November 12 at 9:00 a.m. (EST). This production of MARY POPPINS will perform at the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, PA, from January 5 through 23, 2011. The opening night is Friday, January 7 at 8:00pm.

The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world’s most famous nanny to audiences around North America. The MARY POPPINS North American Tour celebrated its first anniversary on March 25, 2010 and announced that it had achieved the milestone of being the most successful touring theatrical event in 2009.

Tickets start as low as $22 and are now on sale for all performances at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by phone at (412) 456-6666 or online at www.pgharts.org. For group ticket sales (15 or more), please call 412-471-6930. PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

MARY POPPINS, a co-production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006. Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS the stage play features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. MARY POPPINS features set and costume design by TonyÒ Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick. The tour’s creative team includes Tour Director Anthony Lyn, Associate Choreographer Geoffrey Garrett, and Music Director James Dodgson.

ABOUT MARY POPPINS WORLDWIDE

With four productions currently running on three continents, MARY POPPINS is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years. Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $457 million and welcomed 6.4 million guests.

The Broadway production of MARY POPPINS officially opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 16, 2006 and has been seen by over 2.5 million theatergoers and grossed $202 million to date. According to figures released by The Broadway League, MARY POPPINS placed on the Top Ten lists for both highest-grossing and best-attended shows of the 2009-10 Broadway season, an indicator of its remarkable success.

MARY POPPINS received its worldwide premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End in December 2004. Following its successful three-year London run, the production launched an acclaimed U.K. tour. The MARY POPPINS North American tour has also garnered continuous critical praise and achieved box office success since its launch in Chicago in March 2009. In addition to Broadway and North America, MARY POPPINS can also be seen at the Circus Theatre in Scheveningen, Holland, outside of Amsterdam, and in Melbourne, Australia at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Later this year, MARY POPPINS opens in Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Hungary, with plans underway for future productions in Israel, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Korea, Canada and Japan.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH JULY 2011

East Lansing – Wharton Center for Performing Arts
November 4 – 21, 2010

Des Moines – Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
November 26 – December 12, 2010

Detroit – Opera House
December 16, 2010 – January 2, 2011

Pittsburgh – Benedum Center
January 5 – 23, 2011

Omaha – Orpheum Theatre
January 27 – February 13, 2011

Boston – Opera House
February 17 – March 20, 2011

Philadelphia – Academy of Music
March 23 – April 17, 2011

Columbus – Ohio Theatre
April 20 – May 8, 2011

Seattle – Paramount Theatre
May 12 – 29, 2011

Sacramento – Community Center Theatre
June 2 – 19, 2011

Portland – Keller Auditorium
June 22 – July 10, 2011

Costa Mesa – Orange County Performing Arts Center
July 14 – 31, 2011

For more information, please visit MaryPoppins.com
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DWTS Mark Ballas in National Tour of Burn the Floor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“DANCING WITH THE STARS”

MARK BALLAS

JOINS THE NATIONAL TOUR OF

BURN THE FLOOR

IN A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

The producers of BURN THE FLOOR, Broadway’s Latin and Ballroom dance spectacular, announced today that Mark Ballas of TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” will join the touring company of BURN THE FLOOR for a limited engagement. Mark Ballas will perform in Pittsburgh, December 28-January 2, 2011, at Heinz Hall as a special presentation of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series. In addition to Pittsburgh, Ballas will perform with dance partner Giselle Peacock in only two other cities: Raleigh, NC (November 30-December 5) and Houston, TX (December 14-19).

Single tickets to BURN THE FLOOR ($21-$57) 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 subscription series, please call (412) 456-1390. Groups of 10 or more may call 412-392-4819. PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Mark Ballas is a lifelong performer, born in Houston and raised in England. As the only child of 8-time undefeated World Latin Ballroom Champions Shirley and Corky Ballas, he was raised in the ballroom world. He's held every major championship in ballroom, from Junior Olympic Gold Medallist to twice winning the International Open to the World. He's currently competing on his seventh season of America's Number 1 TV show, "Dancing With The Stars," having already won the competition twice in past seasons. Mark is currently in the studio recording his debut solo CD, The HurtLoveBox, which will be distributed exclusively through WalMart later this month.

“We are thrilled that Mark will be appearing in the US Tour. His star-power attraction is well deserved, and we look forward to bringing his amazing talents to the stage for audiences in these three cities,” says Harley Medcalf, BURN THE FLOOR creator and producer.

Ballas will be partnered with Giselle Peacock, known to US audiences from her appearances on “Dancing with the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Superstars of Dance.” She began dancing at the age of 10, studying ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and modern dance. As a competitive dancer, Giselle has captured both US and British Youth Championship titles.

Also appearing as featured dancers in these three cities will be “So You Think You Can Dance” alums Robbie Kmetoni, Janette Manrara and Karen Hauer. All three have been seen on TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” in the US (Janette Manrara and Karen Hauer, Top 10 Finalists) and in Australia (Robbie Kmetoni, 2010 Winner).

Years before “Dancing with the Stars”and“So You Think You Can Dance” turned Ballroom Dancing into must-see TV, BURN THE FLOOR was blazing a new dance trail and igniting stages around the globe. In BURN THE FLOOR, Ballroom Dance is totally reinvented. All the dance styles are refreshed and invigorated and leave audiences grinning with delight and screaming for more. You see and feel, live on stage, all the passion, drama and sizzling excitement of 20 gorgeous world champion dancers in a true theatrical experience, a performance with a grace and athleticism that The New York Times calls, "Dazzling!" and The Times (London) calls “the summer’s hottest ticket”!

BURN THE FLOOR is directed and choreographed by Jason Gilkison. The national tour of BURN THE FLOOR launched in Portland, OR, on September 7, 2010, and continues through spring of 2011. For a full list of tour cities, please visit www.burnthefloor.com.
# # #

Press Contact for interviews, photos and press tickets: Veronica Corpuz, 412-471-6082 / corpuz@pgharts.org

Rock of Ages Rocks Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

Electronic images are available upon request.


FIVE-TIME TONY AWARD® NOMINATED SMASH-HIT MUSICAL!

ROCK OF AGES

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’!

THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR WILL ROCK PITTSBURGH!

November 23-28, 2010

Benedum Center

PITTSBURGH, PA− Five-time Tony Award® nominated smash-hit musical ROCK OF AGES comes to Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center, November 23-28, 2010. 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 ($21-$74) are available at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), by phone (412) 456-6666 or online at www.pgharts.org. For group discounts, please call 412-471-6930. ROCK OF AGES will play Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Parental advisory: some of the costumes, dancing and language performed in ROCK OF AGES may not be appropriate for kids under the age of 14.

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl met a big-city dreamer – and in L.A.’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80’s. It’s ROCK OF AGES, a hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of iconic rockers Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake, and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time where big hair meets big dreams and the result totally wails.

Coming to you, direct from Broadway, Tony Award® Nominee Constantine Maroulis of “American Idol” fame, will reprise his acclaimed performance as Drew in the First National Tour of the five-time Tony Award® nominated smash-hit musical ROCK OF AGES. Rolling Stone says, “Rock of Ages has found a perfect lead in Maroulis,”andso like Bartles & James, big hair and Dep, some things are just meant for each other.

ROCK OF AGES is directed by Tony Award Nominee Kristin Hanggi (Bare, Pussycat Dolls on the Sunset Strip) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys – Associate Choreographer). The book is by Chris D’Arienzo (writer and director of the film Barry Munday), the original arrangements are by David Gibbs(Counting Crows, Film: That Thing You Do) and the Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp (Tarzan; Europe: We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia).

Scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt (Spelling Bee, LoveMusik), costume design is by Tony Nominee Gregory Gale (Cyrano, The Wedding Singer), lighting design is by Jason Lyons (The Threepenny Opera), sound design is by Tony Nominee Peter Hylenski (Shrek), and projection design is by Zachary Borovay (A Catered Affair). ROCK OF AGES is produced by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Relativity Media and The Araca Group.

ROCK OF AGES opened on April 7, 2009 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre to critical acclaim, following an off Broadway engagement in the fall of 2008. The Broadway production was nominated for five 2009 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, and New Line Records released the Original Broadway Cast Recording in July, 2009, featuring 28 songs from the show. A New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. film of the musical, directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray), is scheduled to be released in 2011. ROCK OF AGES opened to rave reviews at the legendary Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada in May, 2010 and premiered at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Australia in April, 2011.

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,.at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities.
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Mannheim Steamroller Rolls into the Benedum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Press Contacts:

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

Diana Roth
(412) 471-8717
roth@pgharts.org

http://pressroom.pgharts.org/?p=654

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents

25th Anniversary Tour

The Christmas Music of

Mannheim Steamroller

by Chip Davis

Tuesday, December 3 & Wednesday, December 4, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.

Benedum Center

Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis, at 8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 4, 2010, at the Benedum Center. Mannheim Steamroller’s performances will feature the band’s innovative arrangements and extravagant multi-media show of images, synchronized lighting and special effects. Mannheim Steamroller celebrates their 25th year touring the holiday concert across the United States this year. This performance is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Known for their classic arrangements of Silent Night, Deck the Halls, and Angels We Have Heard on High, the concert will feature the group’s distinctive Christmas music from many of their multi-platinum award holiday albums heard over the past 25 years. Mannheim founder and composer Chip Davis comments, “The music, along with our state of the art multimedia production, is meant to make this an experience for the whole family.”

Chip Davis began piano lessons at age four and had composed his first piece of music at age six. He graduated from the University of Michigan, School of Music− specializing in bassoon and percussion. Before founding Mannheim Steamroller, Davis’ early musical career included touring with the Norman Luboff Choir and later working for a Nebraska advertising agency writing jingles. These included spots for a local bakery featuring the fictional trucker C. W. McCall. The spots were co-written with advertising writer William Fries, who became the voice of McCall. The spots were so popular Davis and Fries were persuaded to begin writing non-advertising songs featuring McCall. The most famous of these is the 1975 "Convoy". The duo released a total of five albums between 1974 and 1979. Davis was named ASCAP Country Music Writer of the Year in 1976.

Founded by Chip Davis, Mannheim Steamroller’s music is best described as 18th Century classical rock with a musical fusion of acoustic, analog, digital and electronic sounds. Named after an 18th Century musical term that now translates as “crescendo,” the group’s popularity began in the 1990s with their album “Fresh Aire.” The seventh recording in the Fresh Aire series received a Grammy Award for Best New Age Recording. Billboard calls the ensemble one of “the pioneers of neo-Classical electronic music” and “one of the driving forces behind the New Age phenomenon.”

Tickets ($34.50 - $79.50) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, at 655 Penn Avenue, online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

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 Trust Presents series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Pittsburgh Dance Council, 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, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty: a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org
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Pink Martini Performs at the Byham

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

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

Diana Roth
(412) 471-8717
roth@pgharts.org

Artwork available at http://pressroom.pgharts.org/?p=599

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents

Pink Martini

Sunday, November 21, 2010, at 8 p.m.

Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

Pittsburgh, PA: Drawing its inspiration from the romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and 50s, while blending classical, jazz and global rhythms, Pink Martini performs on Sunday, November 21, 2010, at 8 p.m., at the Byham Theater. This concert is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Opus One Productions, as part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Founded in 1994 by bandleader/pianist Thomas Lauderdale in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Pink Martini quickly became an international phenomenon after the success of its first song, “Sympathique”, which was nominated for “Song of the Year” at France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards. Since then, Pink Martini has performed on stages around the world, including sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as performances with the Boston Pops, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the BBC Orchestra in London, among other symphony orchestras.

Pink Martini’s newest album, Splendor in the Grass, draws inspiration from all over the world and continues Pink Martini’s spirit of global collaboration and inclusivity. "The retro-minded, multilingual, virtuosic musicians of Pink Martini gleefully trip across boundaries with each new album...Jam-packed with unlikely excavations, inspired collaborations, obscure covers, and lyrics in languages ranging from Japanese to Neapolitan, it’s a gift to music magpies the world over” (Interview Magazine).

“All of us in Pink Martini have studied different languages, as well as different styles of music from different parts of the world. Because of the diversity inside the band, there are endless ideas,” says Lauderdale on Pink Martini’s website. With their varying backgrounds and experiences, each of Pink Martini’s 12 musicians contributes to the group’s multicultural and multilingual repertoire. Band members include: Thomas M. Lauderdale (bandleader, piano); China Forbes (vocals); Robert Taylor (trombone); Gavin Bondy (trumpet); Brian Lavern Davis (congas, drums and percussion); Derek Rieth (percussion); Martín Zarzar (Latin percussion); Phil Baker (bass); Timothy Nishimoto (vocals, percussion); Nicholas Crosa (violin); Pansy Chang (cello); Dan Faehnle (guitar); and Maureen Love (harp).

“Pink Martini definitely is an original force in contemporary music even as it basks in eclectic nostalgia. It also bridges, better than any band in recent memory, the high-brow/pop culture divide” (The Washington Times).

Tickets ($47.75-$62.75) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

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 Trust Presents series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Pittsburgh Dance Council, 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, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty: a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org.
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Wicked Returns to the Benedum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 20, 2010


Veronica Corpuz, PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh

A division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

412-471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

BROADWAY’S BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTER

WICKED

TO RETURN TO

THE BENEDUM CENTER

SEPTEMBER 7 – OCTOBER 2, 2011

* * *

BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND WINNIE HOLZMAN

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GREGORY MAGUIRE

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2005 and 2008, WICKED, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, will return to the Benedum Center on September 7-October 2, 2011, as part of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh Series. Tickets for the return engagement will go on sale to the public next year. PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh subscribers may purchase tickets in advance from The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust by calling 412-471-1390. Groups of 20 or more may also purchase tickets in advance by calling 412-471-6930. PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony. Visit pgharts.org for more information.

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.

Tickets 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 1 p.m. matinee.

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.

WICKED has “cast quite a spell” (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston to name a few.

Called “a cultural phenomenon” by Variety and named “the defining musical of the decade” by The New York Times, WICKED continues to thrill audiences around the world. There are currently seven productions of WICKED worldwide, including two North American tours, a Broadway production, London production, a Japanese-language production, a German-language production and Australian production. A Dutch-language production of WICKED will open in 2011.

WICKED features set design by Tony® Award winner Eugene Lee (Ragtime, Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony® winner Susan Hilferty (Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony® nominee Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King). Stephen Oremus is the show’s musical director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

Grammy Award-Winning Cast recording 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).

Bombay Bellywood Comes to Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

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

Diana Roth
(412) 471-8717
roth@pgharts.org

Artwork available at http://pressroom.pgharts.org/?p=591

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents

Bellydance Superstars

in

Bombay Bellywood

Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the tantalizing and captivating Bellydance Superstars’ Bombay Bellywood on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at the Byham Theater. Experience the intensity and passion of this performance as the best dancers in the art of bellydance transport you to an exotic locale. Bellydance Superstars’ Bombay Bellywood is a bold interpretation of Bollywood that weaves traditional bellydance with Indian dance styles, brilliant costuming and emotive, infectious music. This performance is part of the 2010-2011 Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Tickets ($20.75, $32.75, $37.75) for this performance of Bellydance Superstars can be purchased in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by calling 412-456-6666, or online at www.pgharts.org. Groups of 10+ can purchase tickets by calling 412-471-6930.

Bellydance Superstars (BDSS) first performed in 2003 and was founded and produced by music executive Miles Copeland. Copeland is the former manager of R.E.M, Sting and The Police. In 1980, Rolling Stone called Copeland, the most successful “New Wave” entrepreneur in America. Copeland’s interest in bellydance began in 2002 when he sponsored a bellydance competition in Hollywood to promote an Arabic record. Bellydancers from around the country participated in the competition and from that point in time Copeland’s idea to promote a bellydance troupe on tour began one year later.

Bellydance Superstars features America's best-known, most sought-after bellydancers – many of whom are expert bellydance instructors. This premiere dance troupe is the only professional dance company of its kind on tour, making their performances and workshops popular affairs across the United States and around the world. The artists come from a variety of dance backgrounds ranging from Egyptian, Mexican, Latin, Classical Ballet, jazz and others.

Performing a cross-section of Tribal, Egyptian and Cabaret styles, the Bellydance Superstars will transport the audience to a distant time and place with this performance. Taking an ancient art form into the mainstream of current dance performance, Bellydance Superstars have garnered international acclaim from critics, instructors, dancers and fans alike.

Over half a million people saw Bellydance Superstars for the first time on the Lollapalooza rock tour in 2003. Since then, the dance troupe has performed at the famed Folies Bergère, Paris, in 2005 and has continued to tour throughout the word garnering rave reviews and sold out performances. The Bellydance Superstars have truly set a new standard for bellydance and proved, without a doubt, its wide appeal to Western audiences. Bellydance Superstars films have been televised on PBS, the Documentary Chanel and Direct TV-Latin America. In 2009, Bellydance Superstars performed in over 20 countries and over the years the group has taught workshops in the art of bellydance around the world.

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 Trust Presents series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Pittsburgh Dance Council, 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, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. http://www.pgharts.org/
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South Pacific Touring Cast Evokes Passion and Emotion

The Seven-time 2008 TONY AWARD®-WINNING LINCOLN CENTER THEATER Production of

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC

Directed by BARTLETT SHER

Announces Casting for Benedum Center in Pittsburgh

Bob Boyett and NETworks Presentations announce casting for the National Tour of The Lincoln Center Theater Production of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein’s prize-winning musical SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher playing the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, November 2-7, 2010. SOUTH PACIFIC ispart of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh Series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America. For more information on the production, please visit www.SouthPacificOnTour.com.

Tickets start at $20 and are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by phone at 412-456-6666 or online at pgharts.org. For group ticket sales (10 or more), please call 412-471-6930. SOUTH PACIFIC will play Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The National Touring Company of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC will be led by David Pittsinger (Emile de Becque) and Carmen Cusack (Nellie Forbush), with Anderson Davis (Lt. Cable), Timothy Gulan (Luther Billis), Jodi Kimura (Bloody Mary), Gerry Becker (Capt. Brackett), Peter Rini (Cmdr. Harbison), Sumie Maeda (Liat), Rusty Ross (Professor), original 2008 Broadway cast member Genson Blimline (Stewpot), Christina Carrera (Ngana) and CJ Palma (Jerome).

The ensemble will include Christopher Carl, Christian Carter, Eric L. Christian, Jacqueline Colmer, Alexis G.B. Holt, Rashaan James II, Chad Jennings, Christopher Johnstone, Kristie Kerwin, Joe Langworth, Cathy Newman, Julia Osborne, Diane Phelan, John Pinto Jr., Bret Shuford, Kristen J. Smith, Matt Stokes, Gregory Williams, Victor J. Wisehart and Amos Wolff.

Critics laud high praise for the National Tour:

- “Electric! This is the South Pacific we’ve been waiting for.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

- “It is a tribute to the sublime beauty of this musical, filled with gorgeous voices and astonishing emotional depth.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

- “Bartlett Sher’s staging of South Pacific reveals, intensifies and clarifies the work of Rodgers & Hammerstein.” (Seattle Times)

- “Superbly sung and powerfully acted, the touring cast of the magnificent Lincoln Center Theater restoration of South Pacific is the equal of the New York team.” (Houston Chronicle)

- “One of the theatrical highlights of the year!” (Los Angeles Times)

-“I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love with a wonderful show!” (Toronto Star)



Carmen Cusack “is a sublime “knucklehead” Nellie” (Palm Beach Arts) as she “achieves a delicious balance of sweet and smart” (San Francisco Examiner); and “evokes the spirit and style of the original, Mary Martin” (Dallas Morning News).

As Emile de Becque, David Pittsinger (who performed the role on Broadway) is “sincere and vocally thrilling” (Chicago Tribune) with “an easygoing, even delicate charm that makes for an appealing leading man” (Denver Post).

Anderson Davis is “rich in exposed passion” (San Francisco Chronicle) as Lt. Joseph Cable and his “clear tenor has strength and innocence” (Charlotte Observer). Jodi Kimura is “equal parts fierce and haunting” (Cincinnati Enquirer) as Bloody Mary, giving a “hypnotic performance of ‘Bali Ha’i” (Grand Rapids Press).

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC swept the 2008 Tony Awards®, winning seven honors including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Bartlett Sher. This breathtaking new production completed a sold out 2 ½ year run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on Broadway on August 22, 2010 (after playing 1,000 performances) and was recently featured on PBS’ ‘Live from Lincoln Center’ series.

Based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIChas music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan.

Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples -- US Navy nurse Nellie Forbush and French plantation owner Emile de Becque and Navy Airman Joe Cable and a young local native girl Liat -- and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Considered by many the finest musical ever written, the score’s songs include such classics as “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “Younger Than Springtime,” “Bali Ha’i,” “There is Nothin’ Like A Dame,” “This Nearly Was Mine” and “A Wonderful Guy.”

The lavish new production features a cast of 34, musical staging by Christopher Gattelli, sets by Michael Yeargan (winner of the 2008 Tony Award®), costumes by Catherine Zuber (winner of the 2008 Tony Award®), lighting by Donald Holder (winner of the 2008 Tony Award®), sound by Scott Lehrer (winner of the 2008 Tony Award®) and music direction by Ted Sperling. A full orchestra of 26 members – the largest orchestra of any touring Broadway production – will perform the original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett (winner of a Special 2008 Tony Award®) and dance and incidental music arranged by Trude Rittmann.

For more information on the production, please visit www.SouthPacificOnTour.com. Become a fan on Facebook (South Pacific on Tour).

BIOGRAPHIES

BARTLETT SHER (Director) Lincoln Center Theater: Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, South Pacific (Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards), Awake and Sing (Tony nomination), The Light in the Piazza (Tony nomination). Artistic Director of Seattle’s Intiman Theatre; credits there include: the world premieres of Prayer for My Enemy and Singing Forest by Craig Lucas (both also Long Wharf Theatre) and Nickel and Dimed; plays by Chekhov, Wilder, Shakespeare, Goldoni and Tony Kushner. Opera: Roméo et Juliette (Salzburg Festival), The Barber of Seville (Metropolitan Opera), Mourning Becomes Electra (Seattle Opera and New York City Opera). New York: Cymbeline (2001 Callaway Award for Best Director; first American Shakespeare at the Royal Shakespeare Company), Waste (2000 Best Play Obie), Don Juan (all TFANA). He is a member of the TCG Board.

DAVID PITTSINGER (Emile de Becque) Broadway: South Pacific (Lincoln Center). Metropolitan Opera: Tosca (also live HD cinemacast), Hamlet, Lulu, Die Zauberflöte, Don Carlo, Rake’s Progress, Giulio Cesare, La Bohème, The Magic Flute. NYCO: Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni), Nozze di Figaro (Figaro), Orlando (Zoroastro). U.S. & International credits include: Don Quichotte (Don Quichotte/Vienna, Teatro Colon Buenos Aires), Tosca (Scarpia/FGO), Nozze di Figaro (Count/La Opera) Faust (Mephistopheles/L’Arena Sferisterio, L’Opera de Montreal), Mefistofele (Mefistofele/I Solisti Veneti, Pittsburgh), Rake’s Progress (Nick Shadow/Paris, Brussels, Hamburg, Bordeaux,), Carmen (Escamillo/Montpellier, Santa Fe). Orchestral appearance include: Vienna Philharmonic,, Salzburg Festival, Dresden Festival, NY Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, ENO, St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra. Discography includes: Charles Ives Songs, La Calisto, Carlisle Floyd’s Susanna. Awards: “Artist of the Year” Awards from NYCO and Pittsburgh Opera. MM: Yale.

CARMEN CUSACK (Nellie Forbush) Carmen is from Houston, TX, has spent the last two years playing Elphaba in Wicked (US National tour, Chicago and Australia productions). Her career prior was based in England. Recent West End credits include: Les Misérables (Fantine; UK, US & Shanghai), The Secret Garden (Rose; Royal Shakespeare Company), Personals (Kim), Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (Chesty Prospects), Over the Rainbow (Eva Cassidy; UK & Ireland) and The Phantom of the Opera (Christine; UK National Tour). http://www.carmencusack.net/

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For interviews and photos, please contact Zach Stevenson and Kent McIngvale, national press representatives, at the Broadway Booking Office NYC: zach@bbonyc.com, kent@bbonyc.com or 212-792-9550

High-resolution art available at http://pressroom.pgharts.org/?p=560