32 High Schools Participating in DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards

DSM Special Events and Community Outreach Media Contact:
Sharon Adams
972.773.9289
Adamscomm1@aol.com

DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards
Director:Tracy Jordan
Direct: 214-413-3951
tjordan@dallassummermusicals.org

32 High Schools Participating in Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards presented by Comerica Bank for the 2011 – 2012 School Year

Finalists in 15 categories will perform and winners will be announced at the red carpet extravaganza on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at The Music Hall at Fair Park

(Dallas, TX –January 19, 2012) Tracy Jordan, director of Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards program (DSM HSMTA) presented by Comerica Bank has announced that 32 high schools have registered to participate for the 2011 – 2012 school year.


“We’re thrilled to have so many high schools participating in Dallas Summer Musicals’ first-ever musical theatre awards program,” Jordan said. “It’s a diverse list of high schools from as far away as Granbury, McKinney, Corsicana and all across the Metroplex. The musicals are a wonderful mix from classic, like Red Oak High School’s Singin’ in the Rain, and dramatic, like Denton High Schools’ Jekyll & Hyde to Highland Park High School’s Once Upon a Mattress, a comedy.” The complete listing is attached.


Carla Ford-Rich, Speech and Theater Coordinator with Plano ISD said, “The Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards program is such a wonderful opportunity for our students. They not only get to see examples from students’ work across the Metroplex, but they have a wonderful opportunity to perform on the Dallas Summer Musicals stage and have opportunities for scholarships. The students get critiqued by professionals in the area and their work is valued. We have so many wonderful theatre programs in the area and it is good to know that others see the credibility of the programs and are willing to devote time, money, and effort to acknowledge their hard work. This program acknowledges all areas of a production from the orchestra and choreography to the set design and costuming to the acting and singing. It acknowledges all the efforts of all the students. Thank you to the Dallas Summer Musicals, Tracy Jordan, and the multitude of volunteer judges for recognizing the validity of such great student work.”



Based on Broadway’s Tony® Awards, the DSM High School Musical Awards are designed to recognize and reward excellence in the production of high school musical theatre in 15 categories, listed below.


Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director, DSM said, “This program has been in research and development for the past four years and we are thrilled to bring it to Dallas. We believe it will encourage participation in the musical arts not only in the high schools, but throughout our community. All of this would not be possible without the generosity of the DSM High School Musical Awards founding donors, Leah and Jerry Fullinwider and presenting sponsor, Comerica Bank.”


Due to the kind generosity of the Fullinwiders and Comerica Bank, DSM will be awarding seven $3,000 cash scholarships to outstanding participating students of the DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards.


Winners of the Best Performance by an Actor and Actress will receive an all-expense paid trip for five days to New York City to represent their school in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Nederlander Award) for the chance to win prizes and scholarships, which vary by year.


Three judges will visit each school and judge the performers in 15 categories:


Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography, Best Orchestra, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting, Best Ensemble, Best Crew, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Featured Performer.


Ballots will be submitted to the accounting firm of Grant-Thornton. Finalists in each category will be announced and invited to perform at the 1st Annual DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards Ceremony show at the Music Hall at Fair Park Saturday, May 5, 2012, when winners will be announced.


For more details about the Dallas program, visit the website at http://dallassummermusicals.org/HSMAwards.shtm

Link to the national program website here: http://www.nhsmta.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions

About Dallas Summer Musicals
Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) is the preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region. Dallas Summer Musicals season sponsors are American Airlines, The Dallas Morning News, Metro PCS, WFAA Channel 8, and Texas Instruments. Visit the website at www.dallassummermusicals.org

Dallas Summer Musicals Announces the 2011 Season

DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS, PRESENTED BY COMERICA BANK,

ANNOUNCES 71^ST SEASON OF THE BEST OF BROADWAY

Dallas, TX…Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM), presented by Comerica Bank, has announced their 71^st season lineup, with seven touring Broadway productions coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park in 2011. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in professional live theatrical entertainment since 1941.

In announcing the new season, Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals, said, “With seven successful decades of presenting musical theater behind us, we look forward to the 2011 season with great optimism. Our wealth of past experience in theater operations has provided thoughtful guidance to the decisions made for this 71^st season, and will position DSM for a bright future. We understand the current economic climate is a consideration every household is evaluating this year, and, in response, we have reduced the number of shows in the season and the ticket prices in order to make it more affordable to you in these tough times.”

“The season includes recent Broadway shows such as 9 TO 5, BURN THE FLOOR, GUYS AND DOLLS, and WEST SIDE STORY, and perennial favorite MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT. We are delighted to present a season special opening by Texas’ own Tommy Tune in STEPS IN TIME, WITH THE MANHATTAN RHYTHM KINGS, and will also return the unique sounds of STOMP for a one-week special.”

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the preeminent non-profit presenter of Broadway theater in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theater with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education, and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region. DSM is the largest producer and presenter of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States, and the fourth largest non-profit theater company. 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. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

DSM SEASON AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

TOMMY TUNE STEPS IN TIME, WITH THE MANHATTAN RHYTHM KINGS, March 15-20, 2011. Broadway’s Super Star Song and Dance man, Tommy Tune hits the stage high stepping through his nine-time Tony® Award winning career. Celebrating 50 years on the Great White Way, Native Texan Tune sings, dances, and laughs his way through those glorious musical moments that made him a Theatre Legend. Backed by the multi-talented Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Tune’s unique and masterful Broadway Biography in song and dance leaves audiences standing, cheering, and dancing in the aisles. Tommy Tune is “The quintessential Broadway song and dance man,” according to Variety Weekly.

BURN THE FLOOR, April 5-17, 2011. Direct from Broadway, the new Broadway production proclaimed “Audience-Dazzling!” by The New York Times, brings back Ballroom Dancing, reinvented. Years before “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” turned ballroom dancing into must-see TV, one sizzling show was setting stages ablaze around the globe. The electrifying Latin and Ballroom dance spectacular that has thrilled audiences in more than 30 countries brings the fire and passion of their live performance to Dallas.

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, May 18-29, 2011. This musical is the most fun you will have all season, with its hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. The new musical comedy, direct from Broadway, is based on the hit movie and features Dolly Parton’s original hit title song along with her new Tony® Award and Grammy® nominated score. The book is by Patricia Resnick, co-writer of the original screenplay, and tells the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company, learning there is nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world. Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL is about teaming up and taking care of business….it’s about getting credit and getting even…and it’s about to open in Dallas.

STOMP, June 7-12, 2011. This one-week special returns to the Music Hall at Fair Park with new surprises! Explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, and utterly unique, STOMP appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments—matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps—to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. USA Today said, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” See what all the noise is about.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, June 14-26, 2011. The second coming of Broadway’s #1 Musical Comedy Smash, called “A No-Holds-Barred Smash Hit” by The New Yorker. The funniest show on earth is back to taunt Dallas for a second time. Winner of the 2005 Tony® Award for Best Musical, SPAMALOT, the musical comedy sensation lovingly ripped off from the film classic “Monty Python and The Holy Grail,” now returns to spread laughter and cheer throughout the kingdom. SPAMALOT tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. But before they can find their grail, they’re taking a little side-trip to the fair city of Dallas.

GUYS AND DOLLS, July 19-31, 2011. Big League Productions is proud to announce a sparkling new production of the timeless Broadway classic, GUYS AND DOLLS. Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy—considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy—soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to the cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon. The New York Times calls it “The show that defines Broadway dazzle!” The New York Post said, “If you have one musical to see, make it this…and make it quick.” “GUYS AND DOLLS is one of those pivotal events in Broadway’s history. A phenomenon.” New York Magazine. From the Hollywood motion picture version starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra to the acclaimed Broadway revivals, GUYS AND DOLLS remains a classic masterpiece that will please everyone from musical theater scholars to fans of The Sopranos and everyone in between.

WEST SIDE STORY, October 4-23, 2011, is also the 2011 State Fair of Texas musical. “Bold, fresh and transcendent,” said The New Yorker. More than 50 years ago, one musical changed theater forever. Back on Broadway mesmerizing audiences once again, from the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by two-time Tony® Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents, WEST SIDE STORY remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album recently won the 2010 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest, featuring such classics of the American musical theater as “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty” and “Somewhere.” “So exciting it makes you ache with pleasure,” according to John Lahr, The New Yorker.

Season tickets, priced from $75-$380, are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center in Dallas. Subscribers may also order tickets to the season special 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.

Season packages and gift certificates in any denomination are also available at one of our kiosk locations now through late December. A kiosk is located near Macy’s on the second level at the Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240. Another kiosk is located near the Starbucks on the first level at Stonebriar Centre, 2601 Preston Road, Frisco, Texas 75034. 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.

In 2012, DSM will bring such terrific straight-from-Broadway musicals as MEMPHIS, the winner of five 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love, filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Also on the season lineup will be THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a huge audience favorite on Broadway, created by Tony nominated® Andrew Lippa (best score), Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman. Also coming in 2012: The delightful new musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, reprising the fabled 1956 concert by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, all gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever; and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the hilarious story of Georges (suave owner of a glitzy drag club on the French Riviera, and his high-strung star performer, Albin (who goes by the stage name Zaza). They live a charmed life—until Georges’ son, Jean-Michel, turns up engaged to the daughter of a conservative right-wing politician who’s coming to dinner.

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

As a nonprofit 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 theater 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.

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

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For media information about any of the individual shows or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 214-413-3977, or email joannholt@gmail.com.

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