Celebrate the Tony Awards with the Cultural Trust

Celebrate Broadway's biggest night with the Cultural Trust!
Sunday, June 9 • 7pm
Cabaret at Theater Square
Tickets $50

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is pleased to announce a chance to join together with Broadway lovers, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust staff and special guests on Broadway's most glamorous night!

Come walk the red carpet in evening attire. Enjoy food and drink and a classic party, and watch as the Tony® Awards take center stage.

Your ticket purchase supports the arts in Pittsburgh. New members will receive a Partners level member of the Trust. For more information about membership levels, visitTrustArts.org/support.

To buy tickets:
• Online at TrustArts.org
• Call 412-456-6666
• Box Office at Theater Square

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

The Addams Family Musical Comes to Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today's date: June 29, 2012

PNC Broadway Contacts:
    Veronica Corpuz, 412-471-6081, corpuz@trustarts.org
    Diana Roth, 412-471-8717, roth@trustarts.org

Pittsburgh CLO contact:  
    Aja Jones, 412-281-3973 ext. 224, ajones@pittsburghclo.org

Pittsburgh CLO and PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh

presents

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

A New Musical Comedy

Pennsylvania Premiere:
Tuesday, July 31 - Sunday, August 12, 2012
Benedum Center

Douglas Sills and Sara Gettelfinger lead a magnificently macabre company of 25.

Pittsburgh, PA –  Full casting has been announced for the upcoming national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, which will make its Pennsylvania premiere in Pittsburgh, Tuesday,  July 31 – Sunday, August 12, 2012, at the Benedum Center as part of the Pittsburgh CLO summer season and PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh 2011-12 series.  Tony Award nominee Douglas Sills and Sara Gettelfinger will star as Gomez and Morticia in a principal cast that also includes Tony Award  nominee Martin Vidnovic as Mal Beineke, Gaelen Gilliland as Alice Beineke, Blake Hammond as Uncle Fester, Pippa Pearthree as Grandma, Tom Corbeil as Lurch, Patrick D. Kennedy as Pugsley, Brian Justin Crum as Lucas Beineke and Cortney Wolfson as Wednesday.

Portraying the ancestors are Ted Ely, Karla Puno Garcia, Steve Geary, Victoria Huston-Elem, Patrick Oliver Jones, Lizzie Klemperer, Alexandra Matteo, Pilar Millhollen,Christy Morton, Brad Nacht, Jonathan Ritter, Roland Rusinek, Geo Seery, Samantha Shafer and Ethan Wexler.
 
Pittsburgh CLO and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust are among the co-producers of the new musical which premiered on Broadway in April 2010. Pittsburgh CLO and the Cultural Trust’s involvement began with the joint role as founding members of Five Cent Productions, a producing partner in Elephant Eye Theatrical, the exciting new theatrical-development-and-production company formed in 2006 to create new musicals for Broadway.

TICKETS
THE ADDAMS FAMILY is part of both Pittsburgh CLO’s 2012 summer subscription season and the PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh 2011/2012 subscription season. To subscribe to the PNC Broadway series, call 412-456-1390 or visit www.TrustArts.org/broadway. For Pittsburgh CLO subscription information call 412-281-2822or visit www.pittsburghCLO.org.  For individual tickets ($22 - $71) and information: call 412-456-6666, visit: www.TrustArts.org, or in person, the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue.  The PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Pittsburgh CLO media members may access photos and other show materials by visiting the Press Room at pittsburghCLO.org. When prompted, simply enter “pressroom” as the username and “pittstadium” as the password.  Media may also access show materials by visiting www.TrustArts.org, bottom of home page click on Press Room or http://pressroom.pgharts.org/2012/06/18/the-addams-family-july-31-august-12-2012-benedum-center/

THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story and it's every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren't upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The production is directed and designed (sets and costumes) by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch with production supervision by Jerry Zaksand choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

The production features lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Acme Sound Partners and puppetry by Basil Twist.  The production also features music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, music direction by Valerie Gebert, orchestrations by Larry Hochman, dance arrangements by August Eriksmoen, hair design by Tom Watson, make-up design by Angelina Avallone and special effects design by Greg Meeh.

In a prolific career spanning six decades, Charles Addams created several thousand cartoons, sketches and drawings, many of which were published in The New Yorker. But it was his creation of characters that came to be known as The Addams Family that brought Addams his greatest acclaim. With a unique style that combined the twisted, macabre and just plain weird with charm, wit and enchantment, Addams’ drawings have entertained millions worldwide and served as the inspiration for multiple television series and motion pictures.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, which began performances in March 2010 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and ran through December 2011, immediately became one of Broadway’s biggest hits. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune described the production as “classic, full-tilt, fast paced, old-fashioned musical comedy!” and John Simon of Bloomberg News called it “Uproarious! A glitzy-gloomy musical entirely worthy of the macabre drawings by Charles Addams.”

THE ADDAMS FAMILY tour is produced by Stuart Oken, Roy Furman, Michael Leavitt, Five Cent Productions, Stuart Ditsky/AdamDitsky, Stephen Mary Jo Schuler, Eva Price, James L. Nederlander, Stephanie P. McClelland, Pittsburgh CLO/Gutterman/Deitch, Vivek Tiwary/Jamie deRoy/Carl Moellenberg and Mary Lu Roffe, by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical. International productions have been announced for Brazil (March, 2012) and Australia (March, 2013) with others to be announced shortly.

#     #     #

Photo Credits:  Jeremy Daniels

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh 

Tony Award Winning MEMPHIS Sizzles on Heinz Hall Stage

December 27-January 1

Heinz Hall

Turn up that dial...

From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love.

MEMPHIS is a Masterpiece!”

-BroadwayWorld.com

Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves—filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, MEMPHIS, which played pre-Broadway at the La Jolla Playhouse, features a Tony®-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony®-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony® nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). Get ready to experience Broadway’s most exciting new destination!

Order tickets before they go on sale to the public Friday, November 11! Use promo code HOCKADOO.

To Purchase Tickets:

• Online at TrustArts.org

• Call 412-392-4900

• Box Office at Theater Square

• Groups 10+ Tickets 412-471-6930

Last of the Line World Premiere at August Wilson Center

August Wilson Center

for African American Culture

Last of the Line

World Premiere

By Samm-Art Williams

Directed by Mark Clayton Southers

@ August Wilson Center

Sept 30, Oct 1, 7, 8, 2011 8 PM

Oct 2, 9, 2011  3 PM

Written by Samm-Art Williams, actor and Tony Award-nominated playwright, the world premiere of Last in the Line bursts with drama and comedy, suspense and candor, laughter and regret, as the descendants of African-American slaveholders and their ancestors take center stage. Told in a stream of consciousness tenor, the play flashbacks from 2005 to the years 1845-75. The story tests loyalties and histories, and forces the modern day characters to examine their own identities, in relation to power, resources and "blood money."


Tickets: $30 / $25 / $20

412.456.6666 or 412.338.8742

Online: www.CulturalDistrict.org



Groups of 10+ Call 412.471.6930

BLAST! A Celebration of Movement and Music at Heinz Hall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date: September 23, 2011

BLAST! A Celebration of Movement and Music

Heinz Hall

October 6 through 9, 2011

Taking the world by storm with triumphant successes in London, on Broadway, across North America and Japan BLAST!, winner of the 2001 Tony Award for “Best Special Theatrical Event,” and the 2001 Emmy Award for “Best Choreography,” will play Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from October 6 through 9, 2011. 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 ($20-$60) 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 2011-2012 subscription series, please call (412) 456-1390. Groups of 10 or more may call 412-392-4819.

Astounding audiences around the globe repeatedly since the Emmy® winning PBS performance and the Tony® winning Broadway performances, Blast! is back. Showgoers quickly become fans who return to enjoy and celebrate Blast! over and over again. Along with this ever-growing core following, Blast! attracts to it’s performances newer and newer generations of devotees every time it takes the stage. An event for all ages, Blast! also defies language barriers by performing crowd thrilling instrumental material, making it the perfect touring production.

BLAST!, a celebration of movement and music, almost defies description -- and it has left critics everywhere surprised and delighted. Howard Kissel of the New York Daily News says: “What a cast, what a ‘Blast!’ An exhilarating evening.” Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe says, “BLAST! doesn’t falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock n roll, and techno-pop music. BLAST! stands, blows, pounds, marches, and whirls with panache. It sent the full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause [with] the thrill of seeing sheer virtuosity in a different kind of art form. BLAST! is entertainment of a high order.” And Kevin Nance of The Tennessean raves, “I was helpless in the path of this visual and aural juggernaut, which far outdoes [Stomp and Riverdance] with youthful energy and cocky panache. …I had an absolutely an absolutely marvelous time.”

Born on athletic fields across the nation, BLAST! is a novel art form evolved from the showmanship of outdoor pageantry. A unique experience, BLAST! explodes the genre with the artistry of the theatre. BLAST! is musical spectacle; it is music in motion. Described by Richard Christiansen of the, Chicago Tribune, “‘Blast!’ And a truer word was never spoken. A terrific good time … explosive entertainment. It is indeed a blast.”

BLAST! evolved from the drum corps Star of Indiana, which was founded in 1984 in Bloomington, Indiana, by businessman Bill Cook to benefit young people in music education. The Artistic Director James Mason, is a lifelong veteran of drum and bugle corps and other musical activities. In its initial year, Star of Indiana became the first corps ever to place among the top ten corps at the prestigious Drum Corps International World Championships. Star of Indiana improved each year until it became the World Champion in 1991. Competing against other organizations from the United States, Japan, Canada and Europe, Star’s performances revolutionized the world of drum corps, bringing an ever more sophisticated sense of musicianship, exciting showmanship, and dynamic choreography to this wonderful genre. In 1993, Mr. Mason began shaping the evolution of Star of Indiana from a competitive drum corps into a theatrical show which brings the power, passion and precision of outdoor pageantry to the stage in a musical performance now known as BLAST!

BLAST! on tour consists of 35 members, drawn from the world of outdoor pageantry all across North America. There are over 40 world titles held by BLAST! cast members who comprise three performing sections – the brass, percussion and visual ensembles. The brass instruments are pitched in the standard multi-keys. The percussion section includes drums, mallet instruments and electronic keyboards. The visual element enhances the show by spinning and tossing unusual implements along with the traditional sabers and colorful flags in perfectly synchronized, ballet-like drill.

The physical and musical demands of the production require that the performers be highly trained athletes who are also world-class musicians. Months of intense training prepare the cast. Rehearsing through heat, cold, dust and rain, they produce thrilling performances where athleticism, musical talent, kaleidoscopic movement, and showmanship merge into an art form that is both compelling and entertaining, or in the words of Richard Quzounian of The Toronto Star, “Get your tickets now! BLAST! is nothing short of breathtaking; a free-wheeling fusion of then and now, [it] dazzles the eye, thrills the ear and stirs the spirit. A sure-fire hit.”

BLAST! is produced and booked by Prather Entertainment Group. PBS, the Public Broadcast Service, supports BLAST! with a one hour special program. The official BLAST! cast recording is available on RCA Victor. For further information on BLAST! and the 2011 North American tour, visit www.blasttheshow.com
###

WICKED Tickets on Sale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


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

PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh

A division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust





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

* * *

SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE, MONDAY, MAY 23

WICKED

BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND WINNIE HOLZMAN

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GREGORY MAGUIRE

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

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Academy Award-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”), WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues)and features musical staging by Tony® Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who’s Tommy, How To Succeed…).

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED, winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Single tickets for WICKED, on sale Monday, May 23, at 7:00 a.m. EST, are $35.25-$138.25. The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, September 8, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee.

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

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One – born with emerald-green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

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

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

Award Winning Next to Normal Coming in April

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR

PULITZER PRIZE AND TONY AWARD-WINNING

NEXT TO NORMAL

PITTSBURGH, PA (Feb. 23, 2011) – PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh is thrilled to announce the smash hit Broadway musical and Tony and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Next to Normal is playing at the Benedum Center for a limited engagement April 5-10, 2011. Individual tickets ($21-$57) for Next to Normal are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at pgharts.org and by calling 412-456-6666. Groups of 10+ may purchase tickets by calling 412-471-6930.

Alice Ripley, who received the 2009 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Next to Normal, reprises her acclaimed performance in the musical’s 36-week multi-city North American tour.

Next to Normal also features Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen (Gabe), Emma Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry).

With a thrilling contemporary score, Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other.

Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three 2009 Tony Awards, Next to Normal features music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical staging by Sergio Trujillo, and direction by Michael Greif. The creative team also includes Mark Wendland (set design), Jeff Mahshie (costume design), Kevin Adams (lighting design), and Brian Ronan (sound design). Musical direction is by Bryan Perri, orchestrations are by Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, and vocal arrangements by AnnMarie Milazzo.

In 2009, Next to Normal was chosen as “one of the year’s ten best” by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Time Out New York, New York Daily News, The Bergen Record, and NY1 – more than any other musical from that season.

Next to Normal has had a surprising and highly unlikely route to Broadway. The musical originally opened at Off-Broadway’s Second Stage Theatre on February 13, 2008. The producer, David Stone, who had been guiding the musical since 2005, took the unexpected step of bringing the show to Washington D.C.’s Arena Stage where it was significantly reworked, and then back to New York and to Broadway, where it opened to rave reviews on April 15, 2009. This unusual trajectory from a New York Off-Broadway premiere to an out-of-town regional theatre engagement and then back to New York is unprecedented.

Ben Brantley of The New York Times calls Next to Normal “a brave, breathtaking musical. A work of muscular grace and power. It is something much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel-everything musical.” Peter Travers of Rolling Stone raves, “Rock is alive and rolling like thunder in Next to Normal. It is the best musical of the season by a mile. Next time you think the Broadway musical is dead, head off to Next to Normal. It’ll pin you to your seat.” And Peter Marks of The Washington Post calls it “a moving, blisteringly honest, and inordinately powerful new musical. It is stocked with beautiful songs that get to the heart of the story – and simply get to the heart. Next to Normal strikes a blow for the American musical’s future each night.”

Next to Normal is produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, and Second Stage Theatre.

Individual tickets for Next to Normal range in price from $21 - $57 and are available at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Ticket Line at 412-456-6666, and online at www.pghatrts.org. Groups of 10 or more may receive a discount by calling 412-471-6930. Next to Normal is part of PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural, Pittsburgh Symphony and PNC Broadway Across America.

The April 5-10 performance schedule for Next to Normal is as follows: Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
# # #

For more information about Next to Normal, please visit http://www.nexttonormal.com/ or www.pgharts.org