Dallas Summer Musicals Sounds Better Than Ever!

Written by DSM Columnists on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 9:27 AM


Events and Announcements Media Contact:
Sharon Adams
Adams Communications Public Relations

214-343-4402

Adamscomm1@aol.com


DSM Technical Contact:
Barry Epstein
972.387.8702

BarryT21@aol.com

All new state-of-the-art sound concept literally targets each seat, making the musical experience at the Music Hall at Fair Park the best ever!

(Dallas, TX) January 19, 2011 – Dallas Summer Musicals sounds better than ever! The Music Hall at Fair Park is now outfitted with an all new, state-of-the-art sound concept. As the quality of sound improves through technological advances and the style of sound changes with each theatrical production, DSM’s goal is to ensure that every single patron enjoys each show and its unique style of music to the fullest. That’s why the new sound concept, new sound system enhancements and many other complementary acoustic improvements have been made.

Many people don’t realize that most Broadway theaters have 800 – 1,000 seats. The Music Hall has more than 3,400. Since most shows design the sound for the smaller theaters, it has been a challenge to distribute that sound to each patron. Now, that has all changed.
“Over the past two years, through a very precise design and strategy, we have added additional electronics and 15 additional speakers which are carefully and individually optimized. Now, this new system, including 40 loud speakers, seamlessly integrates with each show’s system. This ensures that we maintain all of the acoustic nuances originally designed by the director as part of the show,” said Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director, DSM.

Part of the challenge was to preserve the art deco look of the Music Hall, a Nationally Registered Landmark building, while transforming its acoustics to complement the need of modern electronic sound systems. Thousands of square feet of acoustic materials have been added to the side walls, the front of the balcony and even the rear walls, doors and certain exit areas, including space-age technology licensed by NASA and new materials that adapt themselves to the surrounding environment.

The research team on this project includes Acoustic Dimensions, a world class acoustic and sound consulting firm; Richard Thomas, Professor of Visual and Performing Arts at Purdue University; air conditioning specialists, and Barry Epstein, a member of the DSM board with over 50 patents in electronics. All of these experts coordinated efforts to the overall scheme. In addition to that, Epstein analyzes each show for continued improvement. The very latest in computer analysis is used in every step of the process.

Finally, patrons may see Greg Moxley, resident sound engineer and third generation in his family to work at the Music Hall, walking around with a special lap top during the shows. He is not playing games. The lap top is part of the sound system remote control and many may see Greg fine-tuning during a show.
Join in the experience as Dallas Summer Musicals continues to bring the Best of Broadway home to Texas for over 70 years and now, presents the best sound ever in the Music Hall at Fair Park!

Comments:
”I have seen Phantom 8 times. The Phantom sound tonight at the Music Hall was the best I have ever heard.” – John Garcia (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, March 2010).

DSM’s 2011 Season: The 2011 season begins on March 15, 2011 with Tommy Tune’s STEPS IN TIME through March 20; BURN THE FLOOR plays April 5 – 17; NINE TO FIVE THE MUSICAL, May 18 – 29; STOMP, June 7 – 12; MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, June 14 – 26; GUYS AND DOLLS, July 19 – 31; WEST SIDE STORY, October 4 – 23. Season tickets are now on sale. You can see five shows for $75 total.

Season tickets, priced from $75-$380 are available at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center. Subscribers may also order tickets to the season specials TOMMY TUNE STEPS IN TIME and STOMP ($12-$70 each), and may order by mail or in person at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, by phoning 214-346-3300, by faxing 214-691-7386, or online at www.dallassummermusicals.org. For groups, please call 214-426-GROUP.

Season subscribers enjoy such benefits as first opportunity to get the best seats available for the season, plus huge savings over single ticket prices and easy payment plans, lost ticket replacement, ticket exchange privileges and a 10% discount on all DSM logo merchandise. Plus, season subscribers have first option on their seats for the following season, and can save up to 35% over the cost of last season’s subscription package.

The Music Hall at Fair Park Celebrates 85 Years at Fair Park
DSM is celebrating the anniversary October 2010 through October 2011
Nestled among the greatest concentration of genuine exposition art deco architecture in the world, the Music Hall at Fair Park made its grand theatrical debut on October 10, 1925, with the musical premiere of Sigmund Romberg’s THE STUDENT PRINCE. However, the real star of the show was the Grand Hall itself, which was dedicated “to the good, the true, and the beautiful” and made possible by the cooperation of the Board of City Commissioners, the Park Board, and officers and directors of the State Fair of Texas.

About Dallas Summer Musicals
As a non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theater, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM provides positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, The Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and Texas Instruments.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.org or call (214) 421-5678.
Visit the website at www.dallassummermusicals.org

DSM is proud to announce: Barry Epstein to receive a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award from Purdue University in recognition of outstanding achievements in professional and related fields of endeavor on February 25, 2011 and in recognition of his technical, entrepreneurial and management success and his outstanding support of education. The Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award is presented to engineering alumni who have distinguished themselves in any field of endeavor that reflects favorably on Purdue University, the engineering profession, or society in general. The College of Engineering has over 81,000 living alumni. The distinction of DEA has been bestowed upon [more than 400] of these outstanding individuals. [For more information on Barry, his involvement with DSM and this award, please contact him directly at 972.387.8702 or BarryT21@aol.com]

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Michael Steindorf Named DSM Board Chairman for 2011

Written by DSM Columnists on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 9:27 AM


local attorney michael steindorf takes over as new chairman of the board of dallas summer musicals

Dallas, TX… Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc., (DSM) presented by Comerica Bank, and the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, has named Michael Steindorf, a local attorney, Chairman of its 2011 board of directors. Steindorf was installed as Board Chairman at DSM’s annual meeting in December 2010.

Steindorf is a partner at the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., where he has specialized in business litigation for 23 years. He became involved with DSM several years ago as a result of handling a pro bono legal matter on the company’s behalf, but his interest in Dallas Summer Musicals goes back much further. At age 15, Steindorf mowed yards all summer to earn money to take a date to see DSM’s 1971 production of Camelot starring Robert Goulet. He was prompted to continue his more recent involvement with DSM because of its many programs aimed at children, including the Stage Right program created in partnership with the Dallas Police Department to help bring at-risk students to the shows.

DSM President and Managing Director Michael Jenkins said, “We are very fortunate to have someone like Michael Steindorf take the helm of Dallas Summer Musicals in these challenging economic times. He combines legal and business expertise with a passionate commitment to the arts and an understanding of the needs of a non-profit organization such as DSM.”

Steindorf is a 1978 graduate of Texas A&M and 1980 graduate of Baylor Law School. He serves as a member of the State Bar of Texas Standing Committee on Racial Diversity in the Profession and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has been listed among The Best Lawyers in America and as a Texas Super Lawyer in Business Litigation for many years. Steindorf is also a past member of the board of directors of the North Texas Food Bank and board of trustees of the Dallas Opera.

“Dallas Summer Musicals has been putting smiles on Dallas faces for a long time and it is an honor to have the opportunity to lead the organization as it enters its 71st season in 2011,” said Steindorf. “DSM belongs to the people of Dallas, and like a treasured family heirloom, we have to safeguard it and make sure that it is passed along in good condition to the next generation. As a non-profit, we work year around to bring the best that Broadway has to offer to Dallas at an affordable ticket price. With the help of sponsors, subscribers, volunteers and the community at large, we plan to continue this tradition for many years in the future.”

Steindorf and his wife, Dallas native Victoria, live in Highland Park and are longtime members of Park Cities Presbyterian Church. The Steindorfs have three children and a new granddaughter.

Immediate Past Chairman of Dallas Summer Musicals is Gary Griffith, with Darrel Jordan serving as Chairman Elect. Ruth Altshuler holds the title of Honorary Chair, and Michael A. Jenkins is President and Managing Director of DSM.


Other DSM Officers for 2011:

Vice President – Audit, Dorsey Baskin; Vice President – Community Outreach, Laura Estrada; Vice President – Development, Karl Chiao; Vice President – Finance, Michael S. Albright; Vice President – Investment, Ted Munselle; Vice President – Marketing, Brice Beaird; Vice President – Nominating, Gary Griffith; Vice President – Personnel & Compensation, Steve Watson; Secretary, Steven C. Metzger; and Treasurer, Richard L. Rogers.


The 2011 executive committee members are Michael S. Albright, Ruth Altshuler, Dorsey Baskin, Brice Beaird, Ed Blessing, Ed Bratton, Karl Chiao, Diana Childress, O. Paul Corley, Jr., O. Paul Corley, Sr., Terry R. Dallas, Laura V. Estrada, Jay Fox, Christine Gancarz, Stanley D. Gardner, Rick Graham, Gary E. Griffith, Charles L. Gummer, Darrell Jordan, Sheffie Kadane III, Rebecca Kay, Glenda Kemple, Marvin Lane, Meredy McClure, John McCoy, Bill Melton, Steven C. Metzger, Caven Miller, Ted Munselle, Alfonso E. Pino III, Charles Pistor, Gail Plummer, James W. Porter, Jr., Dick Quisenberry, Scott Ragland, W. Wallace Reed, Kenneth D. Sandstad, Kip Sowden, Donald K. Spies, Michael C. Steindorf, Paul A. Stotts, Sandra K. Thomas, Larry Waisanen, Steve B. Watson, and Kit Williams.


Past Chairmen of the Board for DSM are Ed Bratton, O. Paul Corley, O. Paul Corley, Jr., Stanley D. Gardner, Rick Graham, Charles L. Gummer, Steven C. Metzger, Charles Pistor, Bud Porter, Dick Quisenberry, Ken Sandstad, Donald K. Spies, Paul A. Stotts, and Kit Williams. Past chairmen J. Frank Miller III and Douglas Perry are deceased.

Now celebrating its 71st season, Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM), presented by Comerica Bank, is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theatre organization in the United States, and the sixth largest non-profit theatre company in the nation. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theatre entertainment since 1941.

In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSM MGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park. In addition, DSM has its own school of musical theatre, which provides quality education and outreach to the youth of Dallas. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.org or call 214-421-5678.


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