DSM presents "Battle of the Broadway Musicals '09"

by Steven Hall
Webmaster, DSM

UPDATE:

CLICK HERE FOR THE WINNERS CIRCLE

NOW - SEPTEMBER 4 Voting 10 A.M. - 10 P.M. Daily

Currently on Battle 11 of 15 (Round 2)
LES MISERABLES vs. THE LION KING

For 15 days, we are pitting one Broadway musical against another Broadway musical, 1 battle per day, and letting our Facebook fans vote the daily winner until, after 4 rounds of historic musical battles, we will crown the 2009 “Best All-Time Musical”!

We've chosen 16 Broadway musicals to battle each other.Each was chosen for a combination of the number of awards won, combined with the longest runs on "The Great White Way" -- BROADWAY.

1 Broadway musical will be voted the best of all time ... and one lucky contestant will win*:
>4 tickets to attend MARY POPPINS
>Dinner for 4 at “Dining at the Music Hall”
>A show poster from this season, signed by the show's cast
>A CD from one of this season's shows
>Backstage tour for MARY POPPINS

While it's too late to turn in a contest bracket -- it's NOT too late to join the 100's of fans voting their choice of winner, each weekday en route to crowning the 2009 Champion! To vote go to www.facebook.com/dallassummermusicals

Read all of the details about the contest and daily battles here!

* After The Championship has concluded September 4th, the person whose bracket has scored the most points will win the MARY POPPINS package!* The winner* will be announced on Facebook once office personnel have had a chance to tally all of the points on each bracket form and determine a winner! In the event multiple people have the same identical high-score, the contest winner will be determined by choosing, from that group of same-score brackets, the individual who correctly predicted the most battles. In the event a tie still exists at that point, a winner will be selected, from those remaining in the tie, by our company President. Brackets not filled out completely will not be considered.

Broadway Leading Lady Rachel York to Star as Cruella De Vil in “The 101 Dalmatians Musical”

Jo Ann Holt, Publicist
joannholt[at]gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

York Signs on as the Villainous Lead in First National Stage Production Of One of the Most Popular Stories of All Time; National Tour Starts Oct. 13 Special engagement for Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park December 2-20, 2009

Dallas, TX…August 25, 2009 – Drama Desk Award® Winner Rachel York has joined the cast of the highly anticipated national stage production of The 101 Dalmatians Musical, based on the 1956 classic story written by Dodie Smith. Announced today by Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions, Troika General Management and international producer Luis Alvarez, York joins an impressive creative team in the starring role as the sinister Cruella de Vil, notorious for kidnapping Dalmatian puppies for their distinctive spots, in a one-of-a-kind musical adventure for the entire family about what it means to be a family, canine and courageous. York makes her debut in The 101 Dalmatians Musical when the North American tour kicks off at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on October 13, 2009.

Best known for her critically acclaimed Broadway performances in City of Angels, Les Misérables, Victor/Victoria (Drama Desk Award®) with Dame Julie Andrews, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sly Fox, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Rachel York also turned heads with her portrayal of Lucille Ball in the CBS movie, Lucy. Recently, York co-starred opposite Jeff Daniels in the world premiere of the new Broadway bound musical Turn of the Century at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

York’s addition further builds upon the extraordinary creative team behind The 101 Dalmatians Musical including four-time Tony Award winning director Jerry Zaks (A Bronx Tale, Smokey Joe’s Café, Guys and Dolls), acclaimed bookwriter and co-lyricist BT McNicholl (Billy Elliot, Spamalot, The IT Girl), and composer and co-lyricist Dennis DeYoung, best known as the founding member of the legendary rock band STYX.

“Rachel’s high energy performances have really made her in our minds one of Broadway’s true standout leading actresses. Her versatility in both dramatic and comedic settings, as well as her powerful scene-stealing voice really offer us a Cruella that we believe will help make The 101 Dalmatians Musical a truly special theatrical event,” said Lee D. Marshall, Co-Founder of Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions.

York added, “Growing up, 101 Dalmatians was one of my favorite children's stories and Cruella De Vil, one of my all time favorite characters. Ironic I should say, because I am a huge animal lover. It will be so much fun to bring such a fabulously dynamic villain to life. Cruella is unlimited in her treachery, and yet, you can't help but love her. The opportunity to collaborate with the enormous talents of Jerry Zaks, Warren Carlyle, Dennis DeYoung and BT McNicholl, well, that’s just icing on the cake.”

The production follows Dalmatians spouses Pongo and Missis Pongo who are living the good life in London with their “pets” Charles and Catherine Dearly. When their 10 puppies are suddenly “dognapped” by the villainous Cruella de Vil, they summon the help of a vast network of dogs and set off to rescue their pups.
There’s a happy ending for all with laughter, mayhem and music along the way. The 101 Dalmatians Musical also stars fifteen real Dalmatians, many of which were rescued from animal shelters across the country, in a surprise grand finale that will leave audiences cheering.

Dallas Summer Musicals will present The 101 Dalmatians Musical at the Music Hall at Fair Park December 2-20, 2009. For more information about this special performance, please visit http://www.dallassummermusicals.org/. For more information about the national tour, please visit: http://www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com/.

About Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions
Magic Arts & Entertainment has been bringing hundreds of thousands of people to their feet each year throughout their 25 years in the entertainment industry. Led by business partners Lee D. Marshall and Joe Marsh, the duo began by producing David Copperfield’s first-ever tour in 1983. The partnership then grew to produce, manage, book and promote a versatile roster of live entertainment events that expanded to include such high-grossing concerts such as the North American tours for Janet Jackson, Cher, N Sync, Britney Spears, Barry Manilow, The Backstreet Boys and many others. Current tours include The Magic of David Copperfield, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Mannheim Steamroller, and Jesus Christ Superstar staring Ted Neeley.

In 2008, Magic Arts & Entertainment was acquired by the Tix Corporation (Nasdaq: TIXC), with Marshall and Marsh assuming the roles of Co-CEO of Tix Productions, a newly-formed subsidiary of Tix Corporation.

About Troika General Management
Troika General Management has over two decades experience producing shows of all types and sizes throughout North America and the world. International venues include Russia, Brazil, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Korea and Japan. Troika was most recently involved in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China with productions of The Sound of Music, 42nd Street and Chicago. Current and upcoming productions in North America include Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol, The 101 Dalmatians Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Ted Neeley and Cats, running “now and forever.”

About Luis Alvarez
Luis Alvarez, the youngest theatrical producer and director in Madrid, is responsible for one of the most successful shows in Spain. 101 Dalmatians: The Musical premiered at the Wonderland Theatre in 2001. In 2002, Mr. Alvarez received an award for Best Theatrical Producer in Spain. Mr. Alvarez and 101 Dalmatians: The Musical broke all records for sponsorship deals in Spain. Kellogg’s, Kodak, Iberia, Haagen Dazs and many other well known companies sponsored the World Premier of 101 Dalmatians: The Musical.

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We are very excited about this news! She will be the best Cruella ever!
thanks,
Jo Ann

MARY POPPINS OFFICAL PRESS RELEASE

Jo Ann Holt, Publicist
joannholt[at]gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2009
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh present

MARY POPPINS
FEATURING ORIGINAL BROADWAY STARS
ASHLEY BROWN & GAVIN LEE

DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS’ LIMITED PREMIERE ENGAGEMENT BEGINS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

Dallas, TX…Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are pleased to announce full casting for the Dallas Summer Musicals engagement of MARY POPPINS. Dallas’ most eagerly anticipated stage production will begin performances at the Music Hall at Fair Park on Thursday, September 24, 2009 for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, October 18. The official opening night is Friday, September 25, 2009 at 8 p.m.

The entire creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the word’s most famous nanny to audiences across North America. Original Broadway stars, Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee, will reprise their roles as “Mary Poppins” and “Bert” respectively.

For her portrayal of “Mary Poppins,” Ashley Brown received Drama League®, Drama Desk® and Outer Critic Circle® nominations for Best Actress. Upon graduating from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Ms. Brown landed a leading role in the touring production of Disney’s On the Record. Soon after she was offered the chance to star in Beauty and the Beast and made her Broadway debut as “Belle” in September 2005. Upcoming projects include concerts with Marvin Hamlisch, the New York Philharmonic and a debut album of American Songbook standards.

Gavin Lee made his Broadway debut with MARY POPPINS after originating the role of “Bert” in the world premiere production in London’s West End. Lee received critical acclaim for his portrayal of “Bert,” both in NY and London, and was the recipient of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor. Lee also received Tonyâ, Outer Critic Circle® and Olivier Award® nominations for Best Actor. His London theatre credits include Peggy Sue Got Married, Contact, Oklahoma!, Sondheim’s Saturday Night, Crazy For You, and Me and My Girl. In addition, he has appeared in the recent film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera and Beyond the Sea.

Joining Brown and Lee will be Karl Kenzler as “George Banks.” Mr. Kenzler’s Broadway credits include Twelve Angry Men, The Caretaker, Dinner At Eight and The Heiress. “Winifred Banks” will be played by Megan Osterhaus, who comes straight from the Broadway company of Mary Poppins. Her other stage credits include Mamma Mia, Martin Guerre, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Children Of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Gypsy.

Valerie Boyle will portray “Mrs. Brill.” Ms. Boyle has been seen in a wide variety of leading roles in Canada and Europe including Sophie Tucker, Shirley Valentine and Nunsense. Andrew Keenan-Bolger, who will play “Robertson Ay”, has previously appeared on Broadway in Seussical, Beauty and the Beast and A Christmas Carol and in the National Tours of Spelling Bee, The Grinch and Ragtime.

Ellen Harvey will play “Miss Andrew.” Ms. Harvey’s Broadway credits include The Music Man and Thou Shalt Not and she has appeared in the National Tours of Disney’s High School Musical, Mamma Mia, Doctor Dolittle, and Sunset Boulevard. “The Bird Woman” will be played by Mary VanArsdel, who has appeared in productions of Cole Porter's Paris, Mass, Camelot (with Jeremy Irons), 110 In the Shade, and Gypsy. “Admiral Boom” will be portrayed by Mike O’Carroll, a stage veteran whose past credits include White Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof, Showboat, Will Rogers Follies, Henry IV, Inherit the Wind, and Ragtime.

Performances in the role of “Jane Banks” will be alternated between Kelsey Fowler and Aida Neitenbach. Performances in the role of “Michael Banks” will be alternated between Bryce Baldwin and Zach Rand.

Rounding out the cast are Tia Altinay, Carol Angeli, Gail Bennett, Kiara Bennett, Brandon Bieber, Troy Edward Bowles, Elizabeth Broadhurst, Michael Gerhart, Geoffrey Goldberg, Emily Harvey, Tiffany Howard, Kelly Jacobs, Wendy James, Justin Keyes, Sam Kiernan, Brian Letendre, Laird Mackintosh, Vanessa McMahan, Koh Mochizuki, Shua Potter, Dominic Roberts, Nick Sanchez, Q. Smith, Jesse Swimm and Tom Souhrada.

MARY POPPINS, a co-production by 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 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 Director Anthony Lyn, Associate Choreographer Geoffrey Garrett, and Music Director James Dodgson.
Consistently among the top-grossing shows on Broadway, MARY POPPINS continues in its 3rd smash year at the New Amsterdam Theatre and recently celebrated its 1000th performance – a milestone reached by only a rare few number of shows in Broadway history. The Broadway production has grossed over $­132 million to date, and has been seen by over 1.6M theatergoers. Simultaneously, the show’s popularity grows around the globe. Following a successful three year run (December 2004 - January 2008) at the Prince Edward Theatre on London's West End, a U.K. tour of MARY POPPINS commenced in summer 2008 and concluded its acclaimed run in Cardiff in April 2009. The Australian debut of MARY POPPINS is planned for next year. An open-ended run of MARY POPPINS will take residence at the Circus Theatre in Scheveningen, Holland, outside of Amsterdam. The show will open in April 2010 at the Circus Theatre following TARZAN’S record setting run there. MARY POPPINS will be produced in Holland by Stage Entertainment in association with Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.

In Dallas, MARY POPPINS will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Saturday and selected Thursday matinees at 2 p.m. Sunday performances will be at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $85. Special VIP Producers Circle Ticket Packages are available for $135 at select performances, and include premium seating and a complimentary souvenir program. Tickets are available at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center in Dallas, all Ticketmaster outlets, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call 214-631-ARTS (2787). For groups of 15 or more, call 214-426-GROUP.

The Dallas engagement of MARY POPPINS is presented by arrangement with Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, and is a subscription offering of their 2009 season

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National Press Representative: Local Press Representative:
Scott A. Hemerling, Jo Ann Holt
New Amsterdam Theatre Music Hall at Fair Park
214 West 42nd Street 909 First Avenue
New York, New York 10036 Dallas, TX 75210
Telephone: 212.703.1080 469-363-7271
Facsimile: 954.212.2483 email joannholt@gmail.com

DSM Temporarily Operating The Majestic Theatre At No Cost To City

Michael Jenkins
Email Inquiries

On June 30th the long time lease between the City of Dallas and DSM Management Group expired. The Dallas Summer Musicals (a not for profit) has subsidized the Majestic of over one million dollars in the last ten years and temporarily is operating the building at no cost to the City until the City implements the new RFP.

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DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS PARTNERS WITH THE FAIRMONT DALLAS TO CREATE DSM BROADWAY SUITE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jo Ann Holt

469-363-7371

joannholt@gmail.com

DALLAS, TX…Dallas Summer Musicals has entered into a partnership with The Fairmont Dallas to create an exciting new DSM Broadway Suite.

Lavishly decorated with scenery, set pieces, photos, memorabilia and posters from Dallas Summer Musicals productions, the Broadway suite is available for booking by the public. Currently the Broadway Suite is celebrating the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Flower Drum Song. Book your stay and be surrounded in the delight and wonder of San Francisco’s Chinatown, without ever leaving Dallas. The show theme will change seasonally as new shows open. Overnights in the Broadway Suite include two tickets to the current Dallas Summer Musicals production and a CD of the original cast recording. Guests may customize their package to include a pre-theatre supper in the elegant Pyramid Restaurant, transportation to and from the performance and a backstage tour of Fair Park Music Hall. A portion of all proceeds from the Broadway Suite will be donated to the Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts.

“Our mission,” says DSM President and Managing Director Michael Jenkins, “is recognizing the positive influence of the arts on the human experience. The DSM Academy of Performing Arts strives not only to increase appreciation of the performing arts, but to teach those arts professionally.”

The Academy, founded in 1999, helps to prepare the amateur and professional for involvement in the performing arts. It is comprised of 75% teens and 25% adults ranging in age from 7 to senior citizen and prides itself on a diverse, ethnic student population. The DSM Academy has granted over 250 need-based scholarships.

Evidence has shown that arts education has a powerful effect on student achievement and that students who participate in arts programs along with the core subjects of math, science, language, and social studies are three times more likely to be elected to class office; four times more likely to participate in math and science; three times more likely to win an award for school attendance; four times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem and four more times likely to be recognized for academic achievement.

“As part of our ongoing support of the arts,” said the hotel’s Director of Sales & Marketing Shannah Milstead, “The Fairmont Dallas is extremely pleased to announce that we will donate a portion of the proceeds from each reservation in the Broadway Suite to the Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts.”

To learn more about The Fairmont Dallas and the DSM Broadway Suite, visit www.fairmont.com/dallas. To enjoy both the wonders of this unique accommodation as well as a DSM production, call the Reservations Department at (214)720-5290.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States, and the sixth largest non-profit theater company. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theater 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. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214-421-5678 or visit http://www.dallassummermusicals.org/.

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For media information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please contact Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or joannholt@gmail.com.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. • Music Hall at Fair Park • P.O. Box 710336 • Dallas, Texas 75371-0336
(214) 421-5678 • FAX (214) 426-2994
The Box Office • 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center • Dallas, Texas 75230 • (214) 691-7200 •
FAX (214) 691-8755 • www.dallassummermusicals.org

BLONDE Cast's Video Blog - DALLAS!!

The LEGALLY BLONDE cast weighs in on their North Texas run in
a recent YouTube release of their ongoing video blog series. Check it out and find out what Warner really things about Elle chasing him down at Harvard!!

The entire video series following this talented cast across the country, can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/legallyblondeontour

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!!

Three DSM shows were invited to send performers to sing the National Anthem at a Texas Rangers home game this summer. When WIZARD OF OZ's Dorothy (Cassie Okenka) wasn’t able to arrive in time for the June 8th game, her understudy Lauryn Ciardullo donned the Dorothy wig, red shoes and pinafore costume and charmed the audience with her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

For CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, the four child performers (Aly Brier, Camille Mancuso, Jeremy Lipton and Zachary Carter Sayle) sang the National Anthem at the Monday night game June 30. Here is a video of their Texas Ranger performance:





For LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL, sports fan Becky Gulsvig (Elle Woods) was thrilled to sing the National Anthem as the Rangers trounced the Tigers at the ballpark Monday, July 27th and received a great response from fans. Quite a few people dropped by the suite to congratulate the star on her performance, with several saying it was “one of the top 10 anthem performances of all time.” They also thanked Becky (who’s originally from Minnesota) for bringing the unusually cool weather.

Thanks to DSM marketing director Paulette Hopkins and Texas Rangers VP of marketing Andy Silverman, a number of company members were able to watch the game and Becky’s performance from one of the two suites made available for their use. A Fox Sports TV News reporter interviewed Becky Gulsvig in the Mickey Mantle suite at the top of the fourth inning, and Becky and other female cast members did an impromptu version of “Bend and Snap” for the sports network’s audiences. Becky's husband Tyler, who could be found selling Legally Blonde merchandise in the lobby for each performance, also enjoyed the game. Tyler, Becky and their Golden Retriever bring their own van on the national tour, driving from city to city so they can really enjoy the scenery.
Delorie and past DSM Chairman O. Paul Corley, Jr. (resplendent in pink from head to toe) with Guild President Michelle Lemay-Patten at the Legally Blonde party at Thompson-Knight’s offices.