Wicked Exhibit at The Shops at Willow Bend

CONTACT: Amy Medford

Marketing & Sponsorship Director

The Shops at Willow Bend

972-202-7115

amedford@taubman.com

THE SHOPS AT WILLOW BEND

PRESENTS A ‘THRILLIFYING’ LIVE PERFORMANCE BY WICKED CAST MEMBERS AND AUTOGRAPH SESSION ON SATURDAY, JUNE 5

PLANO, Texas, May 14, 2010 – On Saturday, June 5 at 11:00 a.m., two members from the cast of Wicked, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, will present a free live performance at The Shops at Willow Bend. The performance will feature two songs and will be held in Grand Court near Neiman Marcus. It will be followed by an autograph session with the cast members.

The June 5 event is part of the partnership between The Shops at Willow Bend and Wicked which is now playing through Sunday, June 27^th at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas.

In addition to the live performance, the spellbinding specials at The Shops at Willow Bend include:

• “The World of Wicked” display in the mall’s Grand Court now through June 13, where visitors can walk through Glinda the Good’s bubble, view the “Behind the Emerald Curtain” museum display and take a photo in Oz;

• Wicked shopping deals via the “Passport to Oz,” offering discounts and/or specials from more than 30 participating retailers at The Shops at Willow Bend (“Passports” available at the Wicked set in Grand Court or at Concierge Center).

• Weekly drawings for Wicked prizes; shoppers simply drop their “Passport to

The Shops at Willow Bend Wicked Performance/2

Oz” into the Wicked Witch cauldron for a chance to win dozens of weekly prizes. Drawings take place Sundays, May 23 and 30, June 6 and 13;

• Giveaways courtesy of the Wicked Street Team, who will visit The Shops at Willow Bend every Friday morning and afternoon, and all day Saturday and

Sunday [through Sunday, June 13], to hand out free Wicked-themed products such as lip balm, picture frames, music downloads and more;

• Wicked merchandise (T-shirts, hats, accessories, etc.) will be available for purchase at The Concierge Center.

Winner of 35 major awards, including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. 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 is now playing through Sunday, June 27 at the Music Hall in Dallas; for a complete schedule of performances, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org. Great seats are still available. Tickets can be purchased at the Ticketmaster retail outlet in the Concierge Center, located on the lower level near Macy’s. For more information, please call 972-202-7110 or visit dallassummermusicals.org.

The Shops at Willow Bend is one of several Taubman-owned malls around the country to feature the Wicked production and related promotional offerings over the next year and a half. Taubman’s portfolio of regional and super-regional shopping centers is recognized as the finest and most productive collection of upscale shopping centers in the United States.

The Shops at Willow Bend is located at the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and West Park Boulevard and features more than 150 stores, restaurants and services plus four anchors: Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Dillard’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. For more information about stores, restaurants or events at The Shops at Willow Bend, call 972-202-4900 or visit www.shopwillowbend.com.

For more information on Wicked, visit www.wickedthemusical.com or www.dallassummermusicals.org.

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Shrek Cast Announced!

Ashford to Co-Direct SHREK Tour; Cast Announced

by BWW

Producers DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are thrilled to announce casting for SHREK THE MUSICAL. Native Chicagoan, Eric Petersen will lead the First National Tour cast as Shrek. The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning SHREK THE MUSICAL will launch its national tour in Chicago beginning July 13 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.). Tickets are currently on sale.

In addition, Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune has revealed that PROMISES, PROMISES director/choreographer Rob Ashford will co-direct the production alongside Jason Moore, who helmed the Broadway installment.

The role of everyone's favorite swamp-dwelling ogre, Shrek will be played by Eric Petersen, who joins the tour from the Broadway production. He recently appeared as the socially challenged Barfee in the National tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Haven Burton, also from the Broadway Company will play the feisty Princess Fiona. Haven previously played Margo the Dog Whisperer on Broadway in Legally Blonde and understudied Elle Wood. Alan Mingo, Jr. is Shrek's lovably annoying best friend Donkey. He was an original company member of The Little Mermaid where he played the role of Sebastian, and prior to that played the role of Tom Collins in RENT on Broadway.

Rounding out the cast of misfit fairy tale characters, the peoples of Duloc and Far, Far Away are: Joe Abraham, Holly Ann Butler, Carrie Compere, Emily Cramer, Tyrone Davis, Jr., Sandra DeNise, Aymee Garcia, Brian Gonzales, Justin Greer, Lisa Ho, Benjamin Howes, Mara Newbery, Denny Paschall, Sarah Peak, Morgan Rose, Blakely Slaybaugh and David F.M. Vaughn.

"The touring cast is particularly strong, with several members joining from the Broadway Company. We are delighted that the title character Shrek will be played by Chicago native Eric Petersen, who expects audiences full of friends and family throughout the run," said Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals.

An entirely new musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL is based on the story and characters from William Steig's book Shrek!, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, the first chapter of the Shrek movie series.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales.

SHREK THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize® winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change), and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Tony and Emmy Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Promises Promises). SHREK THE MUSICAL has set and costume designs by Tony Award® winner Tim Hatley (Private Lives, Spamalot), lighting design by Olivier Award winner Hugh Vanstone (A Steady Rain), sound design by Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages); choreography by Josh Prince, music supervision by Tim Weil, music direction by Andy Grobengieser, and orchestrations by Danny Troob & John Clancy.

SHREK THE MUSICAL was initiated when Sam Mendes, a big fan of the first Shrek film, suggested the idea of creating a musical to DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg around the time the second film was in production. The musical is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals and Co-President of Production for DreamWorks Animation) and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. (principals Sam Mendes and Caro Newling).

Individual tickets to SHREK THE MUSICAL are $25 - $90 and are on sale now. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Groups of 10 or more should call (312) 977-1710.

Little House on the Prairie is coming to our home!

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

THE MUSICAL

WITH

MELISSA GILBERT

AS MA

WILL BE PRESENTED BY DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS

AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK MAY 11-23

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DALLAS, TX…LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals May 11-23 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as a child playing ‘Laura’ in the hugely successful NBC television series “Little House on the Prairie” during the 1970s, now continues her legacy ‘on the prairie’ by taking on the role of Ma. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE will also star Steve Blanchard as Pa and Kara Lindsay as Laura.

Single tickets for the Dallas Summer Musicals engagement of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE are priced from $15-$71, and are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all Ticketmaster locations; tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787). For groups of 15 or more call 214-426-GROUP.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL with Gilbert, Blanchard and Lindsay, had its world premiere production in August, 2008 at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, where it shattered all box-office records and sold-out for 12 consecutive weeks. Initiated for the stage by Adrianne Lobel (Frog and Toad) and Francesca Zambello, the show is directed by Zambello (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), with music by Academy Award® winner Rachel Portman (Emma), lyrics by Donna di Novelli and a book by Tony Award® winner Rachel Sheinkin (The 25^TH Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee). Michele Lynch is choreographer and Kevin Stites is musical supervisor.

The producers of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL are Ben Sprecher, Amy Sprecher, Louise Forlenza, Bob Boyett, Jay Harris, William Franzblau, Tony Fusco, Larry Feinman, Peter W. Bezemes, Friendly Theatrical LLC, Jon B. Platt, Wendy Federman, Michael Filerman, Marc Schwartz, Karl Sydow and Nelle Nugent, in association with Bob Reich and Sharon Carr.

The production includes scenic design by Adrianne Lobel, lighting design by Mark McCullough, costumes by Tony Award winner Jess Goldstein, sound design by Carl Casella and wig/hair design by Charles LaPointe. Richard Carsey serves as music director, orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and dance and incidental music arrangements are by Michael Dansicker, with additional vocal and incidental music by Kevin Stites.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL is the uplifting story of an American family forging a new life amidst the mighty challenges, heartbreaks, joys and triumphs that face them in the newly-settled heartland. It is also the story of young Laura Ingalls, as she begins her life as a young woman, finding purpose, and finding love. Above all, it is the celebration of the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded – a spirit that still resonates today.

MELISSA GILBERT (Caroline “Ma” Ingalls). Theatre: Off-Broadway: A Shayna Maidel (Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards); Regional: Love Letters (Canon Theater, LA); The Glass Menagerie (Chautauqua Theater Company); The Miracle Worker (Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Palm Beach); Bus Stop and Love Letters (Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville); Little House on the Prairie, the Musical (Guthrie). Television: Series lead in “Little House on the Prairie,” starred in more than 40 movies for television, including Emmy Award-winning The Miracle Worker, and more than a dozen television series, including “Nip/Tuck,” and “Sweet Justice.” Ms. Gilbert served as President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001–05, and is currently the Standing Board Chair and Spokesperson for the Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition. Ms. Gilbert is also a New York Times best-selling author with the recent publication of her autobiography, Prairie Tale - A Memoir, from Simon & Schuster.

STEVE BLANCHARD (Charles “Pa” Ingalls). Broadway: Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, A Christmas Carol, The Three Musketeers; Off-Broadway: Frankenstein, Johnny Guitar, An Oak Tree; National tours: Camelot, Phantom of the Opera, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; Repertory Theatre of St. Louis: Esmeralda; Baltimore’s CenterStage: Sleep of Reason; Charles Playhouse, Boston: The Threepenny Opera; Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C.: Hot Mikado, Godspell; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical; Paper Mill Playhouse: Chess; Theatre Under The Stars, Houston: Chess. Film/Television Law at Randado, Rapmaser Ronnie, Warlords 3000, “Third Watch,” “Law and Order,” “Ed,” “Police Story,” “Sunset Beat,” “One Life to Live,” “Guiding Light,” “Another World.”Original cast recordings Johnny Guitar, Sundown, Frankenstein; debut solo CD Northbound Train.

KARA LINDSAY (Laura Ingalls). Theatre: Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Quilters; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical; 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle: Lone Star Love; West Virginia Public Theatre:Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Hello, Dolly!; Carnegie Mellon University: Side Show, After Miss Julie, Hello Again, Oresteia. Training B.F.A., Acting/Musical Theater, Carnegie Mellon University

FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO (Director). Theatre Broadway: Disney’s The Little Mermaid; London: Royal Albert Hall: Showboat; West End: Napoleon; Raimund Theater, Vienna: a new musical based on Rebecca; Seattle Children’s Theatre: Tibet Through the Red Box; Bregenz’s floating stage: West Side Story; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical. Old Globe: First Wives Club, Skylight Music Theater: artistic director, 1984-91; Opera: Metropolitan Opera: An American Tragedy (world premiere), Cyrano de Bergerac (with Placido Domingo), Les Troyens; Teatro alla Scala: Cyrano; Washington National and San Francisco Operas: The Ring, San Francisco Opera: artistic advisor; Royal Albert Hall: La Bohème; The Bolshoi: Fiery Angel; Chicago Lyric Opera: Salome; Royal Opera House: Carmen, Don Giovanni; Paris Opera: Boris Godunov, War and Peace, Billy Budd, William Tell; Film War and Peace (ORF), Amahl and the Night Visitors (BBC), The Little Prince (BBC/PBS). Awards: Three Olivier Awards; two Evening Standard Awards for best musical and best opera; two French Grand Prix des Critiques; Japanese Golden Prize; Helpmann Award; Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres; Russian Federation’s medal for Service to Culture; the Palme d’Or in Germany; the Golden Mask in Russia. Education: Colgate University; Moscow University. www.francescazambello.com

RACHEL PORTMAN (Music). Theatre: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical. Film: Grey Gardens, The Duchess, Emma, The Cider House Rules, Chocolat, Infamous, The Manchurian Candidate, Oliver Twist, The Lake House, Nicholas Nickleby, Hart’s War, The Human Stain, Life is Sweet, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Beloved, Home Fries, Addicted to Love, Marvin’s Room, Only You, The Road to Wellville, Sirens, Benny & Joon, The Joy Luck Club, Used People, Smoke, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, Where Angels Fear to Tread. Opera/concert: The Little Prince, The Water Diviner’s Tale. Awards: Academy Award for Best Original Score for Emma; Academy Award nominations for The Cider House Rules and Chocolat; British Film Institute’s Young Composer of the Year Award.

DONNA DI NOVELLI (Lyrics). Musical Theater/Opera: Little House on the Prairie, the Musical (lyrics); Florida (book and lyrics) Lyric Opera Cleveland, Public Theater’s New Work Now, New York City Opera’s VOX; No God but Yearning (book and lyrics) Public Theater’s New Work Now, Joe’s Pub. Theater: The First Eff (stage play) Mark Taper Forum, Duende Arts. Dance: Twelve Dancing Princesses (text) Los Angeles Modern Dance and Ballet. Commissions: San Francisco Opera; Chanticleer; BBC. Publications New Monologues For Women by Women (Heinemann Press), NuMuse, Brown University. Awards: Manhattan Theatre Club Fellowship, Rockefeller Foundation residency in Bellagio, Italy; National Musical Theater Conference residency, the Mac Dowell Colony and the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Professional Affiliations: ASCAP, Dramatists Guild. Teaching: Bookwriting, Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts; Playwriting, National Theater Institute, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center; Visiting professor, Brown University. Training: M.F.A., Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Ira Gershwin Fellow); A.M., Brown University.

RACHEL SHEINKIN (Book) Recent work includes Broadway: The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Tony, Drama Desk awards); Off Broadway: Striking 12 (Lucille Lortel nomination), off-off: Serenade. Regional: Guthrie, Little House on the Prairie, the Musical; Center Theater Group, Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Los Angeles Ovation Award); London: Blood Drive. Residencies, fellowships, commissions include: Eugene O’Neill National Theater Center, Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, MacDowell Colony, Manhattan Theatre Club, Deaf West, McCarter Theatre, Playwrights Horizons. Rachel is a volunteer mentor for TDF’s Open Doors program, a visiting instructor at Yale School of Drama, and adjunct faculty member of NYU’s Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.

MICHELE LYNCH (Choreographer). Paper Mill Playhouse: Happy Days. Broadway: The Coast of Utopia (Choreographer), Hairspray and The Full Monty (Associate Choreographer), Urinetown (Asst. Choreographer). Off-Broadway: Everyday Rapture (Second Stage), NYMF: Idaho; Yale Rep: Rough Crossing; Guthrie: Little House on the Prairie; Asolo Theatre: Pride & Prejudice; Mark Taper Forum: 13; St Louis MUNY: Breakfast at Tiffany’s; Stanford Center for the Arts: Empire; North Carolina Theatre: South Pacific; Ford Center: Leading Ladies; has traveled around the world setting companies of Hairspray and The Full Monty. Film: CAMP. Awards: Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Happy Days at Goodspeed Opera House; Garland Award for 13.

KEVIN STITES (Music Supervision, Additional Vocals, Incidental Music). Broadway: Tale of Two Cities, Color Purple, Titanic, Sunset Boulevard, Pamela’s First Musical, Children and Art, Les Misérables, Threepenny Opera, Fiddler, Nine, Oklahoma!, On the Town. National tours: Color Purple, Martin Guerre, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Titanic. Guest conductor: Grant Park Symphony, Guys and Dolls and Les Miserables at Hollywood Bowl. TV/Film: “Rosie Live,” Reefer Madness and others.

Little House on the Prairie, the Musical with Melissa Gilbert as “Ma,” will open Tuesday, May 11 at 8 p.m. All performances are at the Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Tuesday May 11 8 p.m.

Wednesday May 12 8 p.m.

Thursday May 13 8 p.m.

Friday May 14 8 p.m.

Saturday May 15 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday May 16 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday May 17 8 p.m.

Wednesday May 18 8 p.m.

Thursday May 19 8 p.m.

Friday May 20 2 and 8 p.m.

Saturday May 21 2 and 8 p.m.

Sunday May 22 2 p.m.

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be WICKED, May 26-June 27; DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18; and the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are WFAA TV Channel 8 and American Airlines. Now celebrating its 70^th season, 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 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. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

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 theatres, 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 and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the DSM 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. 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 this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

National Tour Press Representative:

Type A Marketing

Jenna Gilfoil

212-307-0800

Local Press Representative:

Jo Ann Holt

DSM publicist

469-363-7371

Xanadu Gets a Rave Review!

Theater review: Summer Musicals' 'Xanadu' beats Broadway version

11:22 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 6, 2010

By LAWSON TAITTE / The Dallas Morning News
ltaitte@dallasnews.com

They've turned lots of old movies into musicals. Xanadu sets the record for improvement; it's the best musical from the worst film.

The 1980 Olivia Newton-John stinkeroo did produce a lot of hits by Electric Light Orchestra's Jeff Lynne and the star's favorite songwriter, John Farrar. Two seasons ago, a stage version opened on Broadway with a new book by comic playwright Douglas Carter Beane (who penned Give It Up! for the Dallas Theater Center earlier this year). It was a surprise hit with critics and audiences alike. The national tour hit the Dallas Summer Musicals on Tuesday with an explosive bang.

This company belongs to the growing number of tours that actually play better on the road than they did on the Great White Way. Many Broadway producers seem to feel they must cast names recognizable to New York audiences, and that's a limited pool of talent. You can't really call many of these performers stars in the old sense, and the shows surely aren't tailored to them. Fortunately for us out here in the sticks, the producers feel free to use less-familiar faces, sometimes much more able in their roles, on tour.

Thus, the gorgeous Anika Larsen, as the muse Clio who falls in love with a California painter, really looks like a goddess and sounds like one, too. As the clueless artist, Danny, Max von Essen is funnier and more consistent in his Valley Boy accent (and a more secure singer) than his Broadway predecessor.

The superiority in this production continues pretty much all the way down the line. Natasha Yvette Williams and Annie Golden are especially delicious as the comic villains. As the aging owner of the building Danny wants to turn into a roller derby, Larry Williams turns a dreary role into a lovable one.

Xanadu played in the smallest house on Broadway, but it feels liberated, rather than dwarfed, in the immensity of Fair Park Music Hall. The audience catches all of Beane's well-crafted in-jokes. This is one self-reflective musical that doesn't take itself too seriously, or seriously at all.

Thanks to Christopher Ashley's witty direction and Dan Knechtges' inventive choreography, Xanadu might just be the best time you have at a musical this season.

PLAN YOUR LIFE: Through April 18 at Fair Park Music Hall. Runs 100 mins. $15 to $71. Ticketmaster at 214-631-2787, www.ticketmaster.com

To see the review on The Dallas Morning News' website, follow this link: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-xanadu08_0408gd.State.Edition1.41785f7.html

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber comes to Dallas!

THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
PRESENTED BY DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS,
COMES TO THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK April 20-25

Dallas, TX…The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, a special production of Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, comes to the Music Hall at Fair Park April 20-25. Tickets, ranging in price from $15-$71, are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any area TicketMaster location, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787). Tickets for groups of 15 or more are available by calling 214-426-GROUP.

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber will star six performers who are noted interpreters of Lloyd Webber’s music and well known to Broadway fans: David Josefsberg (Les Misérables, Grease); Kevin Kern (Wicked, Les Misérables); Howard McGillin (The Phantom of the Opera, Bounce); Charlie Pollock, (Nine to Five the Musical, Urinetown); Laurie Gayle Stephenson (The Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line;, and Kathy Voytko (Nine, Oklahoma!); Shoshana Bean, (Hairspray, Wicked); and Deone Zanotto (A Chorus Line, Zorba).

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is a grand concert showcasing the Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning composer’s biggest and most memorable hits. A full onstage symphony orchestra will accompany the soloists, recreating countless extraordinary moments and thrills created by one of the most acclaimed composers of our time. It will be an evening to revisit such legendary musicals as Cats, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Whistle Down the Wind, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and more.

Presented by Jeffrey Finn Productions, this new version of the concert was personally devised by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Following a sold-out engagement at the Kennedy Center, The Washington Post raved, "Very impressive. The hits come crashing at you in an evening dedicated to crescendo and climax."

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is presented by special arrangement with The Really Useful Group. The creative and design teams for this engagement will reunite the team behind the 2004 production: director Tom Kosis, musical supervisor and conductor Edward G. Robinson, lighting designer Brian Nason and sound designer Lucas J. Corrubia, Jr. Robinson, who will be center stage conducting the 30-member orchestra, has a long history working on Andrew Lloyd Webber shows including Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and previous tours of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER is the composer of The Likes of Us, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, By Jeeves, Evita, Variations and Tell Me on a Sunday, Song & Dance, Cats, Starlight Express, The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, The Beautiful Game and The Woman in White. He composed the film scores of Gumshoe and The Odessa File and Requiem, a setting of the Latin Requiem Mass, for which he won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Composition. He has also produced in the West End and on Broadway, not only his own work, but the Olivier Award-winning plays La Bête and Daisy Pulls It Off. In 2004 he produced the film version of The Phantom of the Opera. In 2006 he oversaw a new London production of Evita, Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular and pioneered television casting for musical theater with the hit BBC series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?” which won an International Emmy. He followed this with the equally successful series Any Dream Will Do. His awards include seven Tonys, three Grammys, six Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, an International Emmy, the Praemium Imperiale and the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre. He was knighted in 1992 and made an honorary life peer in 1997. He’s a 2006 Kennedy Center Honoree.

DAVID JOSEFSBERG’s Broadway credits include The Wedding Singer, Grease, Les Misérables and On The Twentieth Century. Off- Broadway credits include Altar Boyz (Drama League nomination), Joys of Sex and Night Blooming Jasmine. He has been touring both Europe and the United States for the past year with comedy legend, Stephen Lynch. He has been performing his own original material, as well as songs co-written with Lynch and Jeff Gurner (Carnegie Hall, Central Park, Vegas and Miami comedy festivals). Josefsberg was seen as TV icon Arthur “the Fonz” Fonzarelli on NBC’s The Mork and Mindy Story, and in the films Limbo and Carlito’s Way. Josefsberg is rejoining The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber after most recently performing the show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

HOWARD McGILLIN is best known for his record-setting title appearance in The Phantom of the Opera, a role he performed more than 2,500 times on Broadway. He appeared in Stephen Sondheim’s musical Bounce and was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for his performance. His Broadway and West End credits include Kiss of the Spider Woman, She Loves Me, Mack and Mabel, The Secret Garden, Anything Goes (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Tony and Drama Desk nominations, Theatre World Award) and Sunday in the Park with George. On tour, he has played in Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby. His numerous televised concerts include Stephen Sondheim's Follies, Kennedy Center Honors and the Boston Pops. He has also provided voices for animated films such as South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and The Swan Princess. He released a solo CD, Howard McGillin: Where Time Stands Still.
CHARLIE POLLOCK originated the role of “Dwayne Rhodes” in 9 to 5 the Musical and played “Bobby Strong” in Urinetown, The Musical on Broadway. He also originated the role of “Bobby Strong” in the first national tour of Urinetown. He starred as “Paul Bertolet” in Carnival, at The Paper Mill Playhouse and played “Dwayne” in 9 to 5 at the Ahmanson Theatre in L.A. Some of his off-Broadway credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Original company of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…Boom!, Don’t Quit You Night Job, The Last Starfighter (world premier), “Ken Star” in Monica the Musical!, Loot, Lola, Opus Profundum and Cock and Bull Story(NY premier). Across the country Charlie has appeared as “Steve Jobs” in Nerds! The Musical, “Jerry Lukowski” in The Full Monty, “Judas” in Jesus Christ Superstar, “Jesus” in Godspell, “Tommy” in The Who’s Tommy and “Eddie” in King of the Moon. He worked with Stephen King and John Mellencamp on their new musical The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, and played Maffio in the new musical Dangerous Beauty, written by Grammy Award winner Amanda Mcbroom. His TV/Film credits include the recurring role of Bud Mcgann on “As the World Turns”, “P.S. I Love You” with Hilary Swank, the Palm Springs Film Festival award-winning, “Walking Charley”, “Law and Order”, and “The Guiding Light” Please visit www.charliepollock.com.

LAURIE GAYLE STEPHENSON made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning The Secret Garden. The Dallas native starred for two years on Broadway as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. Stephenson made her debut as Christine with the first national touring company at the Kennedy Center. She was an original cast member of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert, touring the U.S. singing opposite Michael Crawford. She was part of Stephen Sondheim's 75th birthday celebration concert at the New Amsterdam Theatre. She is a regular soloist with the popular Bravo Broadway, having sung with most major symphony orchestras across the country. Her national tours include Annie, Camelot and Dames at Sea. She has also been seen in the revival of Follies, A Chorus Line, Grease, A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine, 110 In the Shade and in the world premiere of Startime. She can be heard on the original cast albums of The Secret Garden, Prom Queens Unchained, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Bravo Broadway I, Bravo Broadway II and her debut solo album, Till You Find Your Dream.

KATHY VOYTKO made her Broadway debut in the original revival cast of Oklahoma! directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Susan Stroman, and was also in the Tony Award-winning revival cast of Nine the Musical starring Antonio Banderas and Chita Rivera. At Lincoln Center, she originated the role of Ariadne in The Frogs opposite Nathan Lane. She was chosen by Hal Prince to play Eva on the 25th anniversary tour of Evita. Voytko played Christine on the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera. She was in the original cast of Boublil and Schonberg’s The Pirate Queen, and was also the standby Grania, which she performed several times in Chicago and on Broadway. She has sung in concert at Carnegie Hall in Showboat, and most recently in the live-recorded concert of Kristina. Voytko has performed in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber in other cities.

SHOSHANA BEAN made her New York city debut in the off-Broadway revival of Godspell, and soon after made her Broadway debut in the original cast of the Tony Award-winning production of Hairspray. She went on to be the first replacement for the green-skinned witch Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked later reprising her performance on the Wicked national tour. She performed in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber at the Kennedy Center and Joseph and the. . .Dreamcoat at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Most recently she headlined in the Las Vegas burlesque revue Peepshow and made her New York City concert debut to a sold-out crowd at Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber will open Tuesday, April 20 at 8 p.m. All performances are at the Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Tuesday April 20 8 p.m.
Wednesday April 21 8 p.m.
Thursday April 22 8 p.m.
Friday April 23 8 p.m.
Saturday April 24 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday April 25 2 and 8 p.m.


Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as “Ma,” May 11-23; WICKED, May 26-June 27; DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18; and the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are WFAA TV Channel 8 and American Airlines. Now celebrating its 70th season, 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 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. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

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 theatres, 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 and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the DSM 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. 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 this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

Xanadu Is Rolling Into Dallas!

BROADWAY’S SURPRISE HIT MUSICAL
HITS THE ROAD!

WINNER BEST NEW MUSICAL 2008 – Outer Critic Circle Award
Presented by Dallas Summer Musicals April 6-18


Dallas, TX…Producers Robert Ahrens, Dan Vickery, Mickey Liddell, Tara Smith /B. Swibel, in association with Latitude Link, proudly present the musical adventure XANADU. The musical is brought by Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, as part of their 70th anniversary season, and opens at the Music Hall at Fair Park on April 6th.

XANADU, described as “Heaven on Wheels” by The New York Times, is based on the Universal Pictures' cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. XANADU was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award® for Best Musical.

Single tickets are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all area Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are also available by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 15 or more, call 214-426-GROUP (4767).

This hilarious roller skating musical adventure, set in the year 1980, follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens to inspire the greatest of artistic achievements – the first roller disco! Along the way she falls in forbidden love with a mortal, and chaos abounds when her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation.

“I laughed the entire time! It’s great fun for the whole family!” exclaimed Olivia Newton John.
XANADU is 90 minutes of family fun and inspiration to follow your dreams despite the limitations.

Douglas Carter Beane has written the book for XANADU based on the film of the same name and was the winner of the 2008 Drama Desk Award® for Outstanding Book of a Musical. The score, by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, includes the hits, “Magic,” “Xanadu,” “Party All Over the World” and “I’m Alive” -- all top 20 Billboard hits. Lynne wrote and produced all of the music of Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O.). Farrar was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970’s. XANADU is directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Dan Knechtges.



XANADU features scenic design by Tony Award® winner David Gallo, costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Tony Award® winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, projections design by Zachary Borovay, wig and hair design by Charles LePoint and musical direction by Eric Stern.

XANADU will open Tuesday, April 6 at 8 p.m. All performances are at the Music Hall at Fair Park, with the following performance schedule:

Tuesday April 6 8 p.m.
Wednesday April 7 8 p.m.
Thursday April 8 8 p.m.
Friday April 9 8 p.m.
Saturday April 10 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday April 11 2 and 8 p.m.

Tuesday April 13 8 p.m.
Wednesday April 14 8 p.m.
Thursday April 15 2 and 8 p.m.
Friday April 16 8 p.m.
Saturday April 17 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday April 18 2 p.m.

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, April 20-25; LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE THE MUSICAL, with Melissa Gilbert as “Ma,” May 11-23; WICKED, May 26-June 27; DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18; and the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are WFAA TV Channel 8 and American Airlines. Now celebrating its 70th season, 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 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. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

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 theatres, 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 and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, the DSM 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. 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 this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

How to get Wicked Tickets

For immediate release:
Local Press Contact: Jo Ann Holt
469-363-7371 or joannholt@gmail.com


March 15, 2010


HOW TO GET TICKETS TO
BROADWAY’S BIGGEST BLOCKBUSTER



FOR ITS DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS ENGAGEMENT
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK
MAY 26-JUNE 27

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Dallas, TX…Tickets to WICKED, “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times), go on sale Monday, March 22, for a limited five weeks run at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.

Here are the only ways we suggest purchasing tickets for this engagement:

The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any area Ticketmaster location, or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787), or online at www.ticketmaster.com/wicked. Groups of 20 or more should call 214-426-GROUP (4767).

In previous engagements, when ticket buyers have been told that performances of WICKED are sold out, they sometimes find that tickets are still available through third parties: ticket agencies or brokers. Tickets purchased through these sources are usually substantially more expensive than the original ticket price. Please know that we cannot prevent these agencies from buying tickets when they go on sale, and laws governing ticket brokers (and how much they can charge for tickets) vary greatly from state-to-state

There have been instances where ticket brokers have launched websites that might include the theatre name and/or name of our show in order to confuse ticket buyers. The only way that patrons can be sure that they are purchasing legitimate tickets at the original ticket price is to use only the sources listed above.

For more information about WICKED log on to www.wickedthemusical.com. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

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