Memphis is coming to Dallas!

FOUR-TIME TONY® AWARD WINNER MEMPHIS

IS COMING TO DALLAS

Dallas, TX… MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony® Award Winner for Best Musical, and the show that’s currently blowing the roof off Broadway, opens at the Music Hall at Fair Park May 15-27, 2012 for a limited engagement, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.

Single tickets are on sale now, priced from $15-$75, at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in the Preston/Royal Shopping Center. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 10 or more, please call 214-426-GROUP.

Critically acclaimed MEMPHIS won four 2010 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (Joe DiPietro), and Best Orchestrations (David Bryan and Daryl Waters). MEMPHIS won four Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Performance by an Actress (Montego Glover), Outstanding Music (David Bryan) and Outstanding Orchestration (David Bryan and Daryl Waters). MEMPHIS has also won four Outer Critic Circle Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Score (David Bryan & Joe DiPietro), Outstanding Actress (Montego Glover) and Outstanding Choreography (Sergio Trujillo).

MEMPHIS takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50’s, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun fell in love with everything he shouldn’t: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer. MEMPHIS is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves -- filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock 'n' roll.

The show features a brand new Tony winning score with music by Bon Jovi’s founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change), who also pens the musical’s book. Bryan and DiPietro also collaborated on the award-winning off-Broadway hit, The Toxic Avenger.

MEMPHIS is based on a concept by the late George W. George (producer of the Tony nominated Bedroom Farce and the film My Dinner With Andre), with direction by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) and choreography by Sergio Trujillo, who is currently represented by three shows on Broadway (Memphis, Jersey Boys and The Addams Family). Scenic Design for MEMPHIS is by Tony® Award winner David Gallo (The Drowsy Chaperone, Reasons to Be Pretty), Costume Design is by Tony nominee Paul Tazewell (In The Heights), Lighting Design is by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Jersey Boys) and Sound Design is by Ken Travis (The Threepenny Opera).

David Richardson of WOR Radio calls MEMPHIS “The biggest hit on Broadway” while Charles Isherwood of the New York Times says, “David Bryan evokes the powerhouse funk of James Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations, the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period.” The New York Post raves “Of such thrills, Broadway is made,” Newsday calls the show “A smash! An extraordinary show,” the Daily News promises that MEMPHIS will “Blast you out the door humming and happy” and NY1’s Roma Torre cheers, “MEMPHIS ROCKS!”

The national tour of MEMPHIS will be produced by Junkyard Dog Productions, Barbara and Buddy Freitag, and Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff, with Latitude Link, Jim and Susan Blair, Demos Bizar Entertainment, Land Line Productions, Richard Winkler, Alex and Katya Lukianov, David Copley, Dancap Productions, Inc., 2 Guys Productions, Patty Baker, and Dan Frishwasser, in association with Eric and Marsi Gardiner, Linda and Bill Potter, Broadway Across America, Memphis Orpheum Group, Vijay and Sita Vashee, Apples and Oranges Productions, Brian and Betty Dovey, John Yonover and Ron Yonover, Loraine Boyle/Chase Mishkin, Remmel T. Dickinson, Shadowcatcher Entertainment, and JockoProductions, Scott and Kayla Union. For more information, visit www.memphisthemusical.com.

MEMPHIS will run May 15-27, 2012 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and an evening performance at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 20, plus an added matinee at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24.

Dallas Summer Musicals mini-packs are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in Dallas. DSM 2012 season shows continue with MAMMA MIA! (May 29-June 3); PETER PAN, STARRING CATHY RIGBY, (July 10-22); and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY, (October 2-21, 2012). For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals and the 2012 season, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

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For media information please contact Jo Ann Holt at joannholt@gmail.com.

Finalists Announced for DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards

Revealed! Dallas Summer Musicals 1st High School Musical Theatre Awards Finalists

Winners will be announced and finalists will perform at the red carpet extravaganza on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at The Music Hall at Fair Park

(Dallas, TX – April 9, 2012) Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director, Dallas Summer Musicals and Tracy Jordan, Director of Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards program (DSM HSMTA) presented by Comerica Bank, today announced the awards finalists in a special appearance on WFAA-TV’s DAYBREAK. See attached listings for details.

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. If you love theatre, you do not want to miss this show!

Slated for Saturday, May 5th at The Music Hall at Fair Park, top nominated schools will perform a number from their show, nominees for Best Actor and Best Actress will be showcased and the winners will be announced at the red carpet extravaganza as show biz professionals and celebrities come together to celebrate and spotlight excellence in area high school musical productions. Bring your cameras! The celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. with paparazzi at the red carpet reception. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

One of the award presentations will be made, in person, by Cathy Rigby, a former Olympic champion, who visits Dallas again when she stars in PETER PAN, running July 10 – 22 as part of DSM’s regular season at The Music Hall.

“This will be an exciting night, not only for DSM, but for the performers and their families,” Jordan said. “Thirty high schools participated in our first-ever musical theatre awards program. It was a diverse list of high schools from as far away as Granbury, McKinney, Corsicana and all across the Metroplex. The musicals were 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.”

Jenkins, who has been involved in the production side of musicals for over 50 years and travels the world scouting shows for DSM’s seasons, said, “I was overwhelmed with pride when I saw the level of talent in performance and production in our high school musicals. We are thrilled to bring this program to Dallas. It has been in research and development for the past four years. 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. I’d also like to thank our chairs, Gail and Bill Plummer and DSM HSMTA media sponsors, WFAA-TV Channel 8 and The Dallas Morning News.”

A visionary leader in Dallas’ entertainment community, Michael’s resumé includes six (6) Tony® Awards, two (2) Drama Desk Awards® , a Dallas Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum Award, and 38 nominations for both him and DSM.

Tracy continued, “Due to the kind generosity of the many sponsors and underwriters, DSM will be awarding eight (8) $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.

The process: Three judges visited each school and judged 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 were submitted to the accounting firm of Grant-Thornton and the finalists determined.

Tickets are priced from $20 to $50. Visit the web site at: http://dallassummermusicals.org/HSMAwards.shtm or Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in the Preston/Royal Shopping Center or call (214) 691-7200 for more information.

For more details about the Dallas program, visit the website at http://dallassummermusicals.org/HSMAwards.shtm . Updates. photos and comments are posted continuously on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DSM-High-School-Musical-Theatre-Awards 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 ###

Direct from Broadway, RAIN Returns!

DIRECT FROM BROADWAY!



RETURNS TO THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK
APRIL 24 - 29, 2012

Dallas, TX…Direct from their phenomenally successful Broadway engagement, the internationally-acclaimed Beatles concert, RAIN – A Tribute To The Beatles, returns to the Music Hall at Fair Park April 24-29, 2012, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.


As “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press), RAIN performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage, including the most complex and challenging songs that The Beatles themselves recorded in the studio but never performed for an audience. Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. From the early hits to later classics (I Want To Hold Your Hand, Hard Day’s Night, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Let It Be, Come Together, Hey Jude and more), this adoring tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends!


“The Beatles are back!” - Variety


“The audience is enraptured. They get a chance to sing along, twist and shout!” –The New York Times


“Just turn off your mind, relax and float downstream for a quick fix of nostalgic cheer!” - Entertainment Weekly


“A fun-filled family crowd-pleaser!” – Toronto Star


“A two-hour homage to pop music’s most brilliant gem.” – Los Angeles Times


“On their feet, with arms raised high above their heads, all in the audience were swaying and singing along in blissed-out, nostalgia-powered unison! -- Chicago Sun-Times


“The enraptured audience relives the soundtrack of its life!” -- Chicago Tribune


“RAIN creates musical nirvana…makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up! A thrilling bit of time-warping nostalgia...Boomer Heaven!” --Fort Worth Star-Telegram


“Uncanny! RAIN are a quartet of fine musicians in their own right…as The Beatles, they triumph!” -- The Boston Herald


“An adoring Valentine to The Beatles!” -- The Washington Post


“RAIN is a spectacular extravaganza…did the audience love it? Yeah, yeah, yeah!” -- The Philadelphia Inquirer.


“Parents (and grandparents) and kids were on their feet bopping like crazy!” -- The Courier Post


Like The Beatles, the onstage members of RAIN are not only supreme musicians, but electrifying performers in their own right; visit www.raintribute.com. Become a fan of RAIN on Facebook and follow RAIN on Twitter @raintribute.


Single tickets are priced from $15-$75, and are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in the Preston/Royal Shopping Center. Mini-packs of three or more shows are also still available for purchase at The Box Office. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 15 or more, please call 214-426-GROUP.


RAIN A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES will run April 24-29, 2012 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.


Dallas Summer Musicals mini-packs of three or more shows are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in Dallas. DSM 2012 season shows continue with MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL (May 15-27); MAMMA MIA! (May 29-June 3); PETER PAN, STARRING CATHY RIGBY, (July 10-22); and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY, October 2-21, 2012.


For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals and the 2012 season, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.


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For media information, including jpegs, B-roll, to schedule an interview, or request reviewer’s passes, please contact Jo Ann Holt at joannholt@gmail.com or 469-363-7371.

La Cage Aux Folles Brings Fabulous to Dallas Summer Musicals!

WINNER! 3 TONY AWARDS!
WINNER! 3 DRAMA DESK AWARDS!
WINNER! 4 OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS!
WINNER! DRAMA LEAGUE AWARD!

STARRING GEORGE HAMILTON and CHRISTOPHER SIEBER


Coming to Dallas Summer Musicals for a limited engagement

Dallas, TX…The critically acclaimed production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber, arrives at the Music Hall at Fair Park Tuesday, April 10-22, 2012, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals as part of their 2012 season. Tickets are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in the Preston/Royal Shopping Center.


Mini-packs of three or more shows are also still available for purchase at The Box Office. Tickets are priced from $15-$75, and are also available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 15 or more, please call 214-426-GROUP.


LA CAGE AUX FOLLES recently made Tony® Awards history as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production. The classic musical comedy by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein originally won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical. A Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. The new, freshly reconceived LA CAGE won three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).


LA CAGE AUX FOLLES tells the story of Georges (George Hamilton) the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin (Christopher Sieber), who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges' son brings his fiancée's conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly!


LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a tuneful and touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together... stay fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, David Babani and Fran and Barry Weissler in association with NETworks Presentations.


LA CAGE AUX FOLLES features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play by Jean Poiret.


The creative team includes director Terry Johnson, who won a 2010 Tony Award for his LA CAGE direction, choreographer Lynne Page, set designer Tim Shortall, costume designer Matthew Wright, lighting designer Nick Richings, sound designer Jonathan Deans and orchestrator/musical supervisor Todd Ellison.


The new production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES played from November 23, 2007 to March 8, 2008 at the Menier Chocolate Factory, earning across the board raves and moving to the West End’s Playhouse Theatre on October 30, 2008, where it was nominated for seven 2009 Olivier Awards, winning for Best Musical Revival and Best Actor in a Musical for Douglas Hodge and won the 2009 Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical.


LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a production not to be missed and reviewers agree. The Associated Press raves it is “Riotously funny! LA CAGE could not be more timely or enjoyable.” Variety called it “Funny, heartwarming and terrific!” Time Out New York sums it up: “Five Stars (out of five)! The Musical Revival of the Year! A Sensation!”


LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will run April 10-22, 2012 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. There is an additional matinee performance Thursday, April 19 at 2 p.m., and there is no evening performance Sunday, April 22.


Dallas Summer Musicals mini-packs of three or more shows are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in Dallas. DSM 2012 season shows continue with RAIN, A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES (April 24-29); MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL (May 15-27); MAMMA MIA! (May 29-June 3); PETER PAN, STARRING CATHY RIGBY, (July 10-22); and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY, October 2-21, 2012.


For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals and the 2012 season, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.


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For media information, including jpegs, B-roll, to schedule an interview, or request reviewer’s passes, please contact Jo Ann Holt at joannholt@gmail.com or 469-363-7371.

UNT Business Students Shine Modern Light on MDQ Members

Trivia Treat!

University of North Texas’ College of Business Shines Modern Light on the Business of the Members of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

Presented by Dallas Summer Musicals

(March 2, 2012 – Dallas, TX) Students from the University of North Texas’ College of Business embraced the challenge from Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) to shine a modern light on the business of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET’s four rock ‘n’ roll icons: Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, who came together through an auspicious twist of fate on December 4, 1956. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history and is the basis for this electrifying musical.

“These four artists and their musical creations generated a large sum of revenue throughout their lives and beyond,” said Vicki L. Goodwin, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Management, College of Business, University of North Texas. “Putting an exact figure on something like this is difficult, but from our students’ research we found that during the mid-fifties artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis could earn as much as $10,000 per performance; a large sum of money in an era when a new home cost roughly $11,000 (approximately $90,000 today) and a new car cost $1,900 (approximately $16,700 today) (Source: www.thepeoplehistory.com).” Fresh from Broadway, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET comes to the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals, March 6-18.

**To see their full research, visit www.dallassummermusicals.org/shows_milliondollar.shtm**

Cast members include: Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash, Cody Slaughter as Elvis Presley, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis and Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins. Dallas native, Christopher Ryan Grant, is thrilled to be playing back in his home town as the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, bass).

Single tickets, priced from $15-$75, are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in the Preston/Royal Shopping Center. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 15 or more, please call 214-426-GROUP.

Mini-packs of any three or more season shows are also on sale at a discount at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in Dallas. Subscribers may also order tickets to the season specials RAIN and MAMMA MIA! ($12-$70 each), and may order by mail or in person at The Box Office, by phoning 214-346-3300, by faxing 214-691-7386, or online at www.dallassummermusicals.org . For groups, please call 214-426-GROUP.

Million Dollar Quartet to perform at House of Blues

……MEDIA ADVISORY….MEDIA ADVISORY….MEDIA ADVISORY….REPORTERS/TV/VIDEO CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHERS WELCOME.

Dallas Summer Musicals and the House of Blues will present a special concert/showcase at the House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar Street in Dallas, Wednesday, March 7 from 5-6 p.m., featuring a sneak peek at the musical by the talented cast members of the national touring production Million Dollar Quartet.


Following the performance, cast members will meet and greet the invited audience, and be available for media interviews and photos at that time. To schedule an interview slot, email joannholt@gmail.com.


The international smash hit musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is playing at the Music Hall at Fair Park through March 18, 2012. The show is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.


MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including; “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.


Portraying these icons are Derek Keeling as Johnny Cash, Cody Slaughter as Elvis Presley, Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis and Lee Ferris as Carl Perkins. Christopher Ryan Grant will play the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Chuck Zayas (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company is: Austin Cook, Scott F. Moreau, John Michael Presney, David Sonneborn, Alyssa Marie, and Billy Woodward. The show is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).


MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET won a Tony Award® for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.


MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will run March 6-18, 2012 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.


Dallas Summer Musicals mini-packs are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in Dallas. DSM 2012 season shows continue with LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (April 10-22); RAIN, (April 24-29); MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL (May 15-27); MAMMA MIA! (May 29-June 3); PETER PAN, STARRING CATHY RIGBY, (July 10-22); and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY, October 2-21, 2012. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals and the 2012 season, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.


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DSM Awarded 6 Major Theatrical Awards

DSM Special Events and Announcements
Contact: Sharon Adams
214-343-4402
Adamscomm1@aol.com

Dallas Summer Musicals Shows
PR: Jo Ann Holt
214-421-5678 ext 109
joannholt@charter.net

Dallas Summer Musicals Awarded 6 Major Theatrical Awards

Achievement by a southwest regional non-profit theatre group is unprecedented

(July 30, 2010) It all began in June 2007 when Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director, Dallas Summer Musicals and Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) were bestowed with the incredible honor of winning the 2007 Tony Award® for Best Special Theatrical Event for Jay Johnson: The Two and Only. He joined the esteemed group of Broadway and Hollywood stars on stage to bring two medallions back to Big D, accepting a Tony Award® both on behalf of DSM and himself as a producer of the award-winning show. The DSM medallion is proudly showcased in the lobby of its rightful home at The Music Hall at Fair Park.

The news for 2008 was even better! Boeing-Boeing, produced in part by Dallas Summer Musicals and Michael Jenkins, won two Tony Awards®, one for Best Revival of a Play and one for Best Performance of a Leading Actor in a Play, Mark Rylance. Both Dallas Summer Musicals and Michael Jenkins played a huge part in producing this hilarious play revival on Broadway, resulting in Jenkins bringing home two more Tony Awards® to Dallas.

Boeing-Boeing continued to win awards, being named the winner of two 2007 – 2008 Drama Desk Awards® for Outstanding Revival of a Play: Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti and Outstanding Actor in a Play: Mark Rylance, resulting in two Drama Desk Awards brought home to Dallas, one for Dallas Summer Musicals as a producer and one for Michael Jenkins as a producer.

The Drowsy Chaperone and Jersey Boys each earned a Dallas Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum Award in the Touring Production category, resulting in six major theatrical awards to DSM and Jenkins in 2008.

A visionary leader in Dallas’ entertainment community, Michael A. Jenkins consistently brings the “Best of Broadway” to DSM. The 2010-2011 upcoming season is no different with a sensational line-up in the final stages of determination.

“We guarantee our Dallas audience always has the most current shows,” Jenkins said. “DSM is committed to bringing 71 productions, plays and musicals, to Dallas between 2010 and 2013 to the Music Hall at Fair Park.”

Dallas Summer Musicals is a producer or major investor in many musicals and plays on stage now in London, such as the recent production of Legally Blonde and Boeing Boeing and on Broadway, including the Broadway production of Guys & Dolls.

“DSM also has major interests in many other future shows, including 9 to 5, based on the film, and A Christmas Story,” Jenkins added. “The newest show, Vanities, is one of the most successful plays of all time. It’s been made into a musical and will open on Broadway this fall.”

About Dallas Summer Musicals

Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) is the preeminent non-profit 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 is presented by Comerica Bank. Season sponsors are American Airlines, Park Place Motorcars Dallas, and WFAA Channel 8. Visit the website at http://www.dallassummermusicals.org/

About The Tony Awards®

The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television. The Tonys are presented by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

The Drama Desk was founded in 1949 to explore key issues in the theater and to bring together critics and writers in an organization to support the ongoing development of theater in New York. The organization began presenting its awards in 1955, and it is the only critics organization to honor achievement in the theater with competition between Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions in the same categories.

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