Flashdance US National Tour comes to Dallas!

US National Tour Makes its North Texas premiere presented by
DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS
at MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK JUNE 25-JULY 7

FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that defined a generation, will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals June 25-July 7 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Tickets, priced from $15-$85, are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Preston Royal Shopping Center, online at www.ticketmaster.com, and at all Ticketmaster locations. For groups of 10 or more, call 214-426-GROUP (4768).

With electrifying dance at its core, FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel mill welder by day and a bar dancer by night with dreams of one day becoming a professional performer. When romance with her steel mill boss threatens to complicate her ambitions, Alex learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel the pursuit of her dream.

Joining Jillian Mueller as Alex and Matthew Hydzik as Nick are Katie Webber as Tess, Kelly Felthous as Gloria, DeQuina Moore as Kiki, Jo Ann Cunningham as Hannah, David R. Gordon as Jimmy, Matthew Henerson as Harry and Christian Whelan in the role of C.C.

Also joining the company are Claire Camp, Derek Carley, Ryan Carlson, Natalie Caruncho, Lynorris Evans, Thursday Farrar, Haley Hannah, Charlene Hoffman, Holly Laurent, Jakob Karr, Dan Kohler, Nick McGough, Ariela Morgenstern, Shane Ohmer, Rebecca Riker, Andrea Spiridonakos, and Lawrence Street.

Celebrating its 30^th Anniversary, the original Paramount Pictures film was a worldwide smash hit that became a pop culture phenomenon, grossing over $150 million and featuring a Grammy Award-winning soundtrack. FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL features a score including the hit songs from the movie, all of which became Top Ten hits on the radio around the world including the Academy Award-winning title song “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” “I Love Rock & Roll.” In addition to these hits, 16 brand new songs have been written for the stage with music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth.

Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, The Addams Family), FLASHDANCE features a book by Robert Cary and Tom Hedley (co-writer of the original screenplay with Joe Eszterhas),

In addition to the US touring company, a second company will be assembled for the creatively reworked production of FLASHDANCE on Broadway for an open-ended engagement.

Creative Bios:

TOM HEDLEY (Book, original screenplay for the Flashdance movie). As editor-in-chief of Toronto Life, Tom Hedley turned it into the “magazine of the year” and published, among others, Margaret Atwood,Leonard Cohen, Robertson Davies and won national magazine award for fiction by Alice Munro. He was the youngest ever editor of Esquire Magazine during the magazine’s golden age, working for thelegendary Harold Hayes in New York. During his four-year tenure, he worked with important writersand artists of the time including Tom Wolfe, Michael Herr, Diane Arbus, Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Gay Talese and Robert Coover. He produced a number of celebrated cover-sections including: “The Decline and Fall of the American Avant Garde” in which he commissioned a play by Sam Shepard that was eventually performed at Lincoln Center, Claes Oldenburg’s last happening and a photographic essay on The New Theater by Andy Warhol. He commissioned and published essays by Fedrico Fellini, Francois Truffaut, Michelangelo Antonioni among others, and asked the great directors to direct their own self-portraits. He produced and directed four documentaries for the CBC’s flagship current affairs program and wrote a number of produced screenplays including, among others: Circle of Two, directed by Jules Dassin, starring Richard Burton and Tatum O’Neil, Mr. Patman, starring Kate Nelligan and James Colburn, Double Negative, starring Michael Sarrazin, Tony Perkins and John Candy, Fighting Back, starring Patti Lupone and Tom Skerrit and Flashdance, an international hit which won an Academy Award for best-song and has since become a film classic. He has written screenplays for Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, David Geffen, Jean-Paul Goude, Sean Penn, among others. In 2001 he completed a three-year period in London as an editor and publisher of Duckworth, the venerable publishers of Virginia Woolfe and D.H. Lawrence. His titles were generally well received and garnered both awards and books-of-the-year status in leading British journals and newspapers. He also created a new imprint called Duck Editions. Tom Hedley received the Humanitas Prize 2002 award as executive producer of the movie Iris, directed by Richard Eyre, starring Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Kate Winslet. The film won any number of international awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award. He is currently President of The Hedley Media Group LLC in New York City. He will both write and direct The Last Laugh, an independent film centered around the 1980’s comedy scene in Los Angeles.

ROBERT CARY (Book and Lyrics) is the director of the feature films Ira and Abby, Save Me, and Anything But Love. Ira and Abby received the Audience Favorite award following its premiere at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival and was released by Magnolia Pictures in 2007; Save Me, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the US 2008. Robert is also the director and co-writer of Anything But Love, starring Andrew McCarthy, Isabel Rose and Eartha Kitt, released by Samuel Goldwyn in 2003. Anything But Love appeared in over a dozen film festivals internationally, and received numerous audience and jury awards. In addition to his film work, Robert is co-book writer with ZZ Top of the musical Sharp Dressed Man, directed by Andy Fickman and the lyricist and co-librettist of Palm Beach, produced in 2005 by the La Jolla Playhouse and directed by Des McAnuff, and he is also the co-author and lyricist of musical adaptations of The Thomas Crown Affair and Heartbreakers, both commissioned by MGM On Stage.

ROBBIE ROTH (Music and Lyrics). Robbie Roth’s music has been heard on stage, screen, and radio all around the world. His songs have graced the Billboard charts in America, and appeared on record alongside Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, and many others. His work has been featured on “Good Morning America,” NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” and in a number of films and documentaries. Robbie is most often hired to write and produce for established and upcoming recording artists. In the theatre world, Robbie has been hired as composer on a number of new musicals, and has written and produced records for Tony Award® nominee, Gavin Creel.

SERGIO TRUJILLO (Director and Choreographer) Broadway: Choreographed the 2010 Tony Award® winning Best Musical Memphis (OCC Award, Astaire and Drama Desk Award Nominations); 2006 Tony® and Olivier Award winning Best Musical Jersey Boys (Olivier, Drama Desk, Dora, OCC Award nominations.); The Addams Family; 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning Next to Normal; All Shook Up, Guys and Dolls (Astaire Award nomination) and Leap of Faith. Off Broadway: Saved (Playwrights Horizon, Lucille Lortel Nomination); The Capeman, Romeo & Juliet (Public); A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Kismet (Encores!); Salome (NYC Opera). Regional: The Wiz, Zhivago (La Jolla); Mambo Kings; The Marriage of Figaro (L.A. Opera); Chita and All That Jazz. International: Disney’s Tarzan (World Theatre Award Nomination); West Side Story, The Sound of Music (Stratford); Peggy Sue Got Married (West End); Kiss Me, Kate (Japan). TV: Judging and choreographing on “So You Think You Can Dance: Canada” (CTV), “Broadway: The American Musical” (PBS), “The 14th American Comedy Awards” (ABC), “Triple Sensation” (CBC). Ovation Award for Empire: A New American Musical and four Dora Award nominations in Canada. Upcoming: Director/Choreographer: Havana; First National Tours: Memphis, Next to Normal and The Addams Family.

JILLIAN MUELLER (Alex Owens). What a dream come true this is! Last seen in the first national tours of Memphis and American Idiot. Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie, two holiday seasons of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. TV: “A Gifted Man” (CBS). Much gratitude to Sergio, Kaitlin and the whole Flashdance team for trusting and believing in me! Love to Erin and everyone at CESD, Liz and Aimee for being the best. And of course my wonderful, supportive parents and brother. Twitter: @ jillimueller

MATTHEW HYDZIK (Nick Hurley), a Pittsburgh native, Matthew feels that it’s perfectly fitting to launch Flashdance’s US tour amongst friends and famly in the hometown that he loves dearly. Matthew was last seen on Broadway starring as Tony in the revival of West Side Story, as well as Kenickie in Grease. Off-Bway: John in Tomorrow Morning. National tours of Rent, Fame and Grease. Go Steelers!

KELLY FELTHOUS (Gloria). National Tours/Off-Broadway: Grease (Marty), Seussical (Mayzie), Max and Ruby (Ruby), The Sound of Music. New York/Regional: Legally Blonde (Elle), Bring It On (Eva), A Chorus Line (Val), Boeing Boeing (Gloria). Singing in the Rain (Kathy), Jane Eyre (American Premiere), Gypsy (June), Urinetown (Little Sally), West Side Story (Anybodys), Dames at Sea (Ruby). International: Fame (Serena), Trip of Love (Caroline). NYU/CAP21. Thanks to Mom, Charns, Henderson Hogan and the entire Flashdance family!

DEQUINA MOORE (Kiki) Broadway: Legally Blonde (Pilar), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Ens., u/s Sylvia), Happy Days (Joyce/Lola), Hair (Actor’s Fund Concert). Film: Joyful Noise (Devonne), Madea’s Big Happy Family (Singer), Ghost Town (Chontelle), Rachel Getting Married (Rachel’s stylist), Camp (D.Q.). TV: Law & Order: SVU (Sapphire), Racing For Time (Tonya), Third Watch (Tania Monroe: recurring), All Falls Down (Nycole). B.F.A. NYU/CAP21. Thanks be to God! Love to Mom, Dad, Eron, family/friends, KMG/BridgeDaGap, Sarah Ministries & my Flashdance fam!

KATIE WEBBER (Tess) Katie is absolutely grateful to be performing in Flashdance! Broadway: Rock of Ages, Catch Me If You Can, Memphis, and Wicked. Other favorites: Jerry Mitchell’s “Peepshow,” NBC’s “Smash,” and The Onion News Network (K’Ronikka). This summer Katie can be seen as Britney/Charlotte in Kristen Wiig’s “Girl Most Likely,” July 19th 2013. Thanks to Sergio, The Mine, and my glorious Family! Special thanks to my dance teacher, Elaine McCarthy!

JO ANN CUNNINGHAM (Hannah). Broadway: The King and I, Anna Karenina. Off-Broadway: The Show Goes On, Night Seasons, Ladies of the Corridor, Edward the King, Swan Song. Tours: Into the Woods, Meet Me in St. Louis, Carousel, A Little Night Music. Regional: Full Gallop, The Dining Room, Follies, Chemin De Fer, Hello Dolly, Kismet, How the Other Half Loves and lots more.

DAVID GORDON (Jimmy), is beyond excited to be a part of his 1st National Tour and the 1st touring company of this iconic show! Favorite roles include: Roger (Int’l Tour of Grease), Abraham (Altar Boyz), and Bobby Strong (Urinetown). Special thanks to The Roster, Sergio and the entire creative team, Tara Rubin and this awesome cast! This one’s for my support team Ali, Momma, my bog ol’ family and friends. We did it!! www.DavidRossGordon.com

MATTHEW HENERSON (Harry). Theatre: Ahmanson, Romeo and Juliet; ACT, Indian Ink; La Jolla Playhouse, Good Person of Szechwan; Marin Shakespeare, King Lear (Fool), Northern Stage, Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), San Diego Repertory, Romance, Brooklyn Boy; South Coast Repertory, Hamlet; Utah Shakespeare, Fiddler on the Roof (Teyve); Film/Television: Hung, Bernie Mac Show, Christmas Carol, Mars Needs Moms.

CHRISTIAN WHELAN (C.C.). Broadway Tours: Mamma Mia! (Sam), Little House on the Prairie (Brewster), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Lawrence), Aida (Zoser), Ragtime (Conklin), Camelot (Arthur). Off-B’way/Regional: Ministry of Progress (Poole), Portofino [Cast CD], Little Mermaid (Triton), 110 in the Shade (Starbuck). TV/Film: General Hospital, Guiding Light, All My Children, Dellaventura, Skindeep, Outlaws, Angel Town, Tomcats, Celebrity.”www.christianwheelan.com

CLAIRE CAMP (Ensemble, Chorus Understudy, Ballerina). Gradauted May 2011 with a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase. Credits include: CATS (Cassandra). Gateway Playhouse; Victoria Secret Fashion Show 2012 (Dancer); Broadway Workshop Super Fly (Ensemble). Claire is thrilled to have the opportunity to be on tour with Flashdance, and would like to thank her loved ones and educations for her successes.

DEREK CARLY (Swing, u/s Nick, u/s Jimmy, u/s C.C., u/s Joe, u/s Andy), is so happy to be a part of this production! Regional credits include Titanic (Charles Clarke) at the MUNY and Gay Bride of Frankenstein (Thad) at Seacoast Rep. Proud graduate of the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre Program; Go Blue! Huge thanks to everyone at Harden-Curtis and Tara Rubin Casting. For Jenna.

RYAN CARLSON (Ensemble) Douglas Anderson School of The Arts, Rasta Thomas’s “Bad Boys of Dance”, Lightwire Theatre, Americas Got Talent, Jacobs pillow, BET’s “Best Dance Crew.

NATALIE CARUNCHO (Swing, u/s Alex, Kiki, Louise, Miss Wilde, Ballet Dancer), is so excited to be joining the company of Flashdance! Favorite credits include: 1st National Tour In the Heights (Ensemble, u/s Nina, Vanessa, Carla), A Chorus Line (Diana), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), The Bluest Water (Young Lizzy).

LYNORRIS EVANS (Ensemble; u/s Joe; u/s Andy). A graduate of Fordham University, he was last seen on the 1st National Tour of Memphis, the Musical. Other credits include Leap of Faith on Broadway, Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis, Santa Fe Opera and BalletMet.

THURSDAY FARRAR (Louise; u/s Hannah). Broadway: Aida, Parade, Once Upon a Mattress. Off-B’way: The Man Who Came to Dinner, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Golden Boy. Nat’l tours: Les Miserable (Fantine), Carousel. Regional: First Wives Club (Old Globe), Merrily We Roll Along (Kennedy Center), Harmony (LaJolla). TV: “Ugly Betty,” “30Rock.” Film: “Brother,” “Only Time Will Tell.” Recordings: “You Oughta Be On Broadway.

HALEY HANNAH (Ensemble; u/s Alex; u/s Tess; u/s Gloria) is thrilled to join the National Tour of Flashdance! Broadway: Bring It On The Musical. Tours: Bring It On The Musical. Regional: Cutman – A Boxing Musical (Goodspeed). TV: “Good Morning America” (Back up singer for Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers), “American Comedy Awards” (Comedy Central). BFA: University of Michigan. Much love to Mom, Dad, and friends.

CHARLENE HOFFMAN (Ensemble; u/s Ballet Dancer) has performed in numerous stage shows including the 50th Anniversary International Tour of West Side Story (Marguerita). Along with appearances on “Glee” (Cheerio), she has recently shared the stage with Kanye West, Chris Brown and P!nk. When she isn’t cutting a rug you can find this self-proclaimed tomboy cheering on her favorite NFL teams or cruising in her 1970 Ford Mustang.

JAKOB KARR (Ensemble). “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 6 Runner Up. Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis at the Aria in Las Vegas. Rasta Thomas’ Rock the Ballet in Australia, Germany, France, Spain, India, Russia, Portugal, Monaco and Japan. Education: The Ailey School at Fordham University. Love to my family.

DAN KOHLER (Andy; u/s Nick; u/s Harry; u/s Jimmy). Theatre: Blue Man Group (New York, Berlin, Las Vegas), Godspell (Jesus), Legally Blonde (Emmett), Les Enfants de Paris (Claude Frollo). Television: Law and Order: SVU” (S12E05). Chef/Host of RenegadeKitchen.com, online cooking show. Follow along! @RenegadeKitchen. Thanks to Poppy for teaching me to sing on the staircase.

HOLLY LAURENT (Swing, u/s Alex, u/s Gloria) is beyond excited to jump back into the 80’s again! National tours include Rock of Ages (1st Nat’l starring Constantine Maroulis), The Wedding Singer (1st Nat’l) and Hairspray. Love and gratitude to my amazing and supportive family and friends, Michael Rodriguez, Tara Rubin Casting, the creative team and cast! For JPN.

NICK MCGOUGH (Swing). Credits: Off-B’way – Silence! (Dream Hannibal). Tours – Movin’ Out (Eddie, u/s James), CATS (Tumblebrutus, Misto). Regional – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – Encores! (Ensemble), Tarzan (Aerialist), HMS Pinafore (D/C, Swing), Crazy For You (Wyatt), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Ensemble). Thanks to friends, family and Grandma and Grandpa for everything!

ARIELA MORGENSTERN (Miss Wilde; u/s Hannah; u/s Louise). Off-Broadway credits: Adding Machine, The Threepenny Opera, I Married Wyatt Earp. Regional highlights include The Light In the Piazza (Arena Stage & Theatreworks), The King & I (Theater of the Stars), Man of La Mancha (Flat Rock Playhouse), and the title role in Carmen (SF Lyric Opera). Ariela is also a member of Studio 42, a company dedicated to “unproducible” NY theatre. Much love to her new husband! www.arielamorgenstern.com

SHANE OHMER (Ballet Dancer; Ensemble). Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Shane has performed as the Lead in Rasta Thomas’ Rock the Ballet for two years around the world, Les Grand Ballet Canadiens, River North Chicago Dance Company, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and has been a guest artist/teacher for companies around the world. Thrilled to be part of Flashdance. Special thanks to my family! @ ShaneOhmer

REBECCA RIKER (Ensemble; u/s Alex; u/s Tess; u/s Kiki; u/s Miss Wilde), is stoked to be a part of Flashdance! Tours: The Addams Family (u/s Morticia), A Chorus Line (Cassie & Diana), The Wedding Singer (u/s Linda). New York: The Sphinx Winx, The Tenth Floor & Autumn Moon. Thanks to The Mine, Dennis and NCT. Love to friends, family & troops overseas. I heart Duce.

ANDREA SPIRIDONAKOS (Ballet Dancer, Firebird). So excited to be a part of Flashdance! Native of Winsted, CT. Trained at the School of American Ballet full-scholarship & Nutmeg Conservatory. Danced as a soloist with the Miami City Ballet & Morphoses/The Wheeldon Co. Thanks to Sergio, everyone at Tara Rubin, DDO, and my amazing family. www.itsandrea.com

LAWRENCE E. STREET (Joe; u/s Harry; u/s C.C.). Broadway: Urinetown (Billy Boy Bill). Off-Broadway: Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe (Cleante); Urinetown (Billy Boy Bill). Actor’s Fund of America: Chess in Concert (Ensemble). Carnegie Hall, NYC: South Pacific in Concert (Starring Reba McEntire) also filmed for PBS Great Performances. Member of Actor’s Equity Association. Special thanks to Avalon Artists and Tara Rubin.

For more information, please visit www.flashdancethemusical.com Or Follow us at: http://facebook.com/FlashdanceMusical or Instagram User: flashdancemusical

Dallas Summer Musicals continues with State Fair of Texas musical, Disney presents THE LION KING, October 2-20, Experience the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, Broadway’s Landmark Musical. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you’ll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

DSM will continue its 73-year tradition of setting the standard in musical theatre entertainment as their 2014 season begins in December, 2013, with Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS at the Music Hall.

Season sponsors and partners for Dallas Summer Musicals are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, The Original Cupcakery, the Frontiers of Flight Museum and Texas Instruments.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (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.

DSM is the largest producer and presenter of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theatre organization in the United States, and the fourth largest non-profit theatre company. In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours 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.

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

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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.

"How Whoopi Got the Habit" By Matt Wolf

How Whoopi Got the Habit
by Matt Wolf

One simple gesture said it all: there it was, August, 2010, and Whoopi Goldberg had walked on stage for the press performance of her limited run as the Mother Superior in Sister Act, as a capacity crowd at the London Palladium cheered and hollered in a most gratifyingly un‐ English way. Taking in the applause, the star put a finger to her lips in order to silence the crowd. The show, as they say, must go on, and it was time to do so.

That outpouring of affection wasn’t lost on a woman who has been wowing audiences in all art forms since the legendary New York director Mike Nichols first brought Whoopi to attention, presenting the then little‐known performer’s Broadway debut in 1984 at the Lyceum Theatre. Since that time, she was nominated for an Academy Award® for her screen debut in The Color Purple; went on to win an Oscar® five years later for her
indelible supporting turn in Ghost; fronted various awards shows (including the Oscars, where one will never forget the sight of Whoopi abseiling down on to the stage like some madcap Mary Poppins only to announce herself as “the African Queen”); and has become a daytime TV personality in America courtesy her co‐hosting duties on The View.

But Sister Act occupies a special place in the Whoopi canon, and not just because the source films that inspired the stage musical made a lot of money – more than $230 million in the case of the first one – and were also lots of fun. As that Palladium vignette served to indicate, here was a screen phenomenon returning to her theatre roots in front of an adoring crowd: Whoopi’s connection to the material remains undeniable and strong. Let’s
just say that even when not in the production Whoopi hovers over the stage musical as more than a coproducer: a sort of beneficent, and inspirational, patron saint.

Sister Act, of course, tells the story of Deloris van Cartier, the nightclub singer‐turned‐nun who has become one of those characters that audiences know without needing to be reminded of the title of the film itself; Celie from The Color Purple is another. But when talk turned to fashioning the movie anew for the stage, Whoopi had no intention of ever appearing in it; instead, she was there to preside over something, in her view, “brand new,
fresh and exciting,” that could mint a young leading lady‐turned‐star ‐ just as Whoopi had herself been catapulted to attention thanks to her theatre work a quarter‐century or more before.

Her intuition must have worked, given that Sister Act in London played more than 600 performances over 18 months, breaking box office records twice at the Palladium, and on Broadway was nominated for five Tony® Awards including Best Musical. In fact, the show has now been seen by over 3 million audience members across the globe, including productions in Hamburg, Vienna, Milan, and on tour throughout the UK, with upcoming
productions scheduled to begin in Paris, Stuttgart, Scheveningen, Moscow, Madrid, Prague, Sao Paolo, Korea, and Japan. Expect a stage convention of Deloris‐es someday soon.

The films, of course, are drenched in the music of the times, and Sister Act on stage could have gone the jukebox musical route. Instead, Alan Menken, a composer who has himself won more Oscars than most of us have had cups of coffee, offers up an original score in the best pastiche tradition, which is to say that an entire era of disco, gospel, and blues pours forth from the stage, contributing to a score that, says Whoopi, “works just as
well as the film, if not better.” Whoopi in any case knows first‐hand the virtues of music‐making when it comes to musical theatre: she was the unexpected choice to take over for Nathan Lane in the hit Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, directed by Jerry Zaks, and it is Zaks who directed Sister Act on Broadway – a vivid example of the sort of small‐world department on which
Broadway thrives. An African‐American woman as the male roman slave, Pseudolus? We told you there wasn’t much this singular talent couldn’t do.

And it’s surely not coincidental that Sondheim’s peerless lyrics for Forum’s uproarious opening number include the immortal line, “tragedy tomorrow/ comedy tonight.” That mantra could well apply equally to the hapless Deloris, a singer seeking refuge from the gun‐toting Curtis, who finds both a safe home and the chance to send
some women’s voices soaring within a convent that clearly didn’t realize all it needed was this feisty, winning outsider to wake them up. Sister Act may take its opening cues from the cries of a chanteuse in danger, but it builds toward a celebration not just of the sisterhood but of the power of soul, both musical and otherwise. In retrospect, small wonder Whoopi was keen to still her appreciative public in order to get the show on the road. You came to cheer, she seemed to be telling the sold‐out house. Now stay to listen.

Matt Wolf is the London theatre critic for The International Herald Tribune and theatre editor at www.theartsdesk.com.

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SISTER ACT singing praises in Dallas NOW thru June 16 at the Music Hall at Fair Park and to Fort Worth June 18-23 at Bass Performance Hall.

Single tickets for the Dallas run, priced from $15-$85, are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Preston Royal Shopping Center in Dallas, or any Ticketmaster location; or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 10 or more, call 214-426-GROUP (4768). For full press release, click here.

Single tickets for the Fort Worth run are on sale now! Visit www.basshall.com.

National Tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Comes To Dallas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jo Ann Holt 469-363-7371
joannholt@gmail.com

THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OF THE BROADWAY SENSATION
COMES TO DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK IN DALLAS MAY 14-26

April 26, 2013- The first national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical is coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas from Tuesday, May 14 through Sunday, May 26, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.

Single tickets, priced from $15-$85, are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Preston Royal Shopping Center in Dallas, or any Ticketmaster location; or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 10 or more, call 214-426-GROUP (4768).

The show will star Wade McCollum (“Tick/Mitzi”), Scott Willis (“Bernadette”) and Bryan West (“Adam/Felicia”) as the trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. Joe Hart stars as “Bob.”

With over 500 dazzling 2011 Tony^® Award-winning costumes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical features a hit parade of over 20 dance-floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “Finally” and “I Will Survive.”

The new musical opened on Broadway to critical acclaim on March 20, 2011 at the Palace Theatre. The Hollywood Reporter called Priscilla “funny and fabulous! Joyous entertainment with eye-popping visuals and unexpected heart!” NY-1 News raved “Beneath all that glitz beats a great big sequined heart!” WOR Radio sang “All the songs you’ve loved for years will blow you out of your seat!”

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical won a 2011 Tony Award^® for Best Costume Design for Academy Award^® winners Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner’s designs. The new hit musical received three Best Musical award nominations from the Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Award organizations. Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner were also honored with 2011 Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Costume Design.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, the most successful Australian musical of all time, had its world premiere in Sydney in 2006. Adapted from the 1994 Academy Award^®winning film

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Direction: Simon Phillips, choreography: Ross Coleman, musical supervision and arrangements: Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy, set design: Brian Thomson, costume design: Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner, lighting design: Nick Schlieper, sound design: Jonathan Deans & Peter Fitzgerald, make up design: Cassie Hanlon.

Cast bios are attached to this release. For more information, please visit: www.priscillaontour.com. Follow Priscilla on Twitter or on Facebook.

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be SISTER ACT, A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY, June 4-16. Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash, called by The New York Post “Ridiculously Fun,” has audiences jumping to their feet in total agreement. Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent.

FLASHDANCE, THE MUSICAL, opens June 25-July 7. The pop-culture phenomenon and runaway international success is now live on stage. It all started with a dream. To be bigger. To burn brighter. To dance harder. Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, The Addams Family), this new musical features a score of smash hits including The Academy Award® winning title track “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “I Love Rock & Roll,” and 16 new original songs.

Disney presents THE LION KING, October 2-20, 2013. Experience the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, Broadway’s Landmark Musical. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you’ll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

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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 469-363-7371, or email joannholt@gmail.com.

WICKED Announces Lottery for $25 Seats!

WICKED ANNOUNCES LOTTERY FOR $25 SEATS!

April 10 – May 5 at Music Hall at Fair Park

PERFORMANCES BEGIN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

DALLAS, TX…A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for WICKED, which is returning to Dallas Summer Musicals and the Music Hall at Fair Park with performances from April 10-May 5. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at the Music Hall box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum; thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets.

WICKED, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Disney’s Enchanted, Academy Award® winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt) and book by Winnie Holzman (“My So Called Life,” “Once And Again” and “thirtysomething”), is based on the 1995 best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire. The musical is directed by two-time Tony® Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Vagina Monologues) and features musical staging by Tony® Award winner Wayne Cilento (Aida, The Who’s Tommy, How To Succeed…). WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

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, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

WICKED features set design by Tony® Award winner Eugene Lee (Ragtime, Show Boat, Candide, Sweeney Todd), costume design by Tony® winner Susan Hilferty (Spring Awakening, Into the Woods, Assassins), lighting design by Tony® winner Kenneth Posner (Tony® Award winner for The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) and sound design by Tony Meola (The Lion King). Stephen Oremus is the show’s music director. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

WICKED has “cast quite a spell” (Washington Post) throughout North America, breaking box office records in every city that it has played, including Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Boston to name a few.

WICKED has been declared “A Cultural Phenomenon” by Variety and “The Best Musical of the Decade” by Entertainment Weekly. There are currently 7 productions worldwide: New York, London, Holland, Japan, Australia/New Zealand, and two concurrent North American Tours. Globally, WICKED has amassed over $2.9 billion in ticket sales and has been seen by 36 million people worldwide in its 9-year history.

WICKED begins performances at the Music Hall at Fair Park Wed., April 10 and runs through Sunday, May 5. Tickets are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, and all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com/wicked. Best ticket availability for week night and Sunday evening performances. For more information, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Mary After Midnight – One Night Only with the cast of Mary Poppins

Hey DSM Fans!

The Cast of the National Tour of Mary Poppins and the Round-Up Saloon present
MARY AFTER MIDNIGHT
One Night Only!

This is definitely a grown-ups night out event, but you can bet that this will be a fun night!

All proceeds go to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Check out the picture below for full details.

Mary After Midnight

Hope to see you there!

-DSM Amanda

Dallas Loves Mary Poppins!

Hey DSM and MARY POPPINS fans!

Dallas is showing the love for MARY POPPINS! Check out all of these great interviews, reviews, and videos below! More to come, so check back soon!

VIDEOS

NEW VIDEO: Ron Corning Becomes Bert

WFAA – Bert and Mary perform on Good Morning Texas

CBS 11’s Teresa Frosini Becomes Mary Poppins

Red Carpet Interviews – Opening Night

FROM THE BACK ROW: Beware of Ticket Scalping

*Ticket Scalping is the act of buying event tickets from licensed sellers, and reselling them at often higher prices

Hey DSM Fans!

I want to share this brief story of a friend’s experience with a ticket scalper:

My friend was interested in seeing WICKED when it comes to the Music Hall at Fair Park this April. Knowing I work for DSM, he sent me a text asking if the show is as good as everyone says it is and if I thought his nieces would enjoy it. After reassuring him that WICKED is a must-see, I told him to click the “buy tickets” link on DSM’s website because it would take him right to our Ticketmaster page. A few minutes later he wrote, “Wow. $150? These are expensive! But if you say it’s worth it, then okay. Are these good seats?”

…The seats were on the very back row in the rear orchestra section. I was confused. $150 was more than double the price they should’ve been. It turns out he did a Google search instead of following my directions. His search led him right into the hands of a scalper. I stopped my friend in his tracks and sent him a direct link to the official DSM WICKED Ticketmaster page where he found even better seats for much less than he was about to pay. I basked in my “I told ya so” moment, and congratulated him on his find. I’m thrilled that my friend will have the pleasure of introducing his nieces to WICKED this April!

If you choose to buy DSM tickets from an alternative source, there’s a lot of risk involved:

The tickets may or may not be valid, and you run the risk of not being let in to a performance
You’ll probably pay much more than you should
There’s no way to notify you in the case of a time change or cancellation
If you lose your tickets, DSM won’t be able to replace them

So DSM Fans, this is just a friendly Public Service Announcement from us to you.
Buy your tickets through DSM-official ticketing outlets!

OFFICIAL Dallas Summer Musicals ticketing outlets:

By Phone: 1-800-514-ETIX (3849)
Online: www.DallasSummerMusicals.org / www.Etix.com
In Person: The Dallas Summer Musicals Box Office – 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, Dallas – 214.691.7200
In Person: The Music Hall at Fair Park box office 1 ½ hours before scheduled performances

* * *

We’re looking forward to seeing you at The Music Hall this month for MARY POPPINS!

-DSM Haley

A Real Story from a DSM Subscriber!

Good afternoon everyone!

Though CATCH ME IF YOU CAN has come and gone, I couldn’t help but share this story with you.

I received an email from one of our awesome DSM Subscribers about her REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE with the REAL FRANK ABAGNALE, JR.! (For her protection, I have not listed her name.) A special thank you to her for sharing this story with us!

My husband and I were in SHOCK and AWE over how much we enjoyed this musical! For our anniversary, my husband told me he would take me to see “Catch Me If You Can,” since he knew I have a direct connection to the play. I was one of the co-eds Frank Abagnale “interviewed” back in the early 70s on the campus of Arizona State University. He had posted flyers on campus that Pan Am was interviewing for stewardesses. I set up an appointment, and met Frank in one of the buildings on campus for the interview. When I found out I was going to go for an interview on campus, I contacted Pan Am and requested an official stewardess application, so I could go to my interview looking very professional. Pan Am mailed the application to me, and I brought it to my interview all filled out with a picture attached. The “captain” who interviewed me, (Frank), seemed VERY concerned as to WHERE I got this application form. I remember that I thought it odd that his focus was on my application form, and NOT what my qualifications were. I must have convinced him that my getting the form was pretty innocent. Not long after the interview, he called to tell me I had gotten the job. I was so excited, and told my family and friends right away. Frank came over to my dorm to give me the news directly, then asked me for dinner. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and khakis, which I also thought was a little odd. I had prior commitments, and couldn’t go out, but he said he’d be back in touch. Since in my mind I was going to be a stewardess, I kept contacting Pan Am to ask when and where I should report. I kept getting the “run around,” and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t get a straight answer. I finally got a letter from Pan Am about the fraud, and that Frank had been caught in Marietta, GA. I was SO disappointed, and never did become a stewardess after all that! My mom and I were flabbergasted when the book came out with the full story, (even though the book says the interviews were at the U. of AZ, instead of A.S.U.) I can’t help but think what would have happened to me if I had agreed to go to that dinner with him!!! WOW…I was that close!

Hope you enjoyed her story as much as I did!

Have a wonderful day!

-DSM Amanda

Mary Poppins flies into Dallas for 10 days only!

Media Contact: Jo Ann Holt
joannholt@gmail.com

Tickets for MARY POPPINS are NOW ON SALE in Dallas, Texas!
Performances begin March 20th for 16 performances only
at the Music Hall at Fair Park

Dallas, TX: Dallas Summer Musicals and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced that tickets for the long-awaited production of MARY POPPINS are on sale now. Dallas’ eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Music Hall at Fair Park March 20 for a limited engagement of 16 performances, through Saturday, March 30. The opening night is Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

With seven productions produced on three continents, MARY POPPINS is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years. Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $812 million and welcomed more than 11 million guests. The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony®, Olivier, Helpmann and Evening Standard awards.

The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world’s most famous nanny to audiences around North America. The MARY POPPINS North American Tour began performances on March 25, 2009 and has played to more than two and a half million delighted theatergoers in over 60 cities to date.

MARY POPPINS, a co-production of 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 the stage play 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 Tour Director Anthony Lyn, Associate Choreographer Geoffrey Garrett, and Music Director Daniel Bowling.

MARY POPPINS received its worldwide premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End in December 2004. Following its successful three-year London run, the production launched an acclaimed U.K. tour.

The Broadway production of MARY POPPINS officially opened on November 16, 2006, recouping its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere. MARY POPPINS is the only show from the 2006-2007 theatrical season still running.

The MARY POPPINS North American tour has garnered continuous critical praise and achieved box office success since its launch in Chicago in March 2009.

The Australian production of MARY POPPINS opened to critical acclaim in Melbourne in July 2010 where it achieved an unprecedented 100% of Gross Box Office. For its seasons in Perth and Brisbane the advance sales smashed all previous theatrical records.

Having played to enormous success in London, a UK tour, Holland, and Australia, MARY POPPINS can currently be seen on Broadway, the North American tour, in Auckland, New Zealand and in Mexico City. Licensed productions of MARY POPPINS have also been mounted in Hungary, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark and the Czech Republic.

In Dallas, MARY POPPINS will play Wednesday through Sunday the first week at 7:30 p.m., with Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:30 p.m. Performances the second week will be Monday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with matinees at 1:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday. Ticket prices start as low as $15. Special Ticket Packages are available at select performances, and include premium seating and a complimentary souvenir program. Tickets are available at the DSM Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, and all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling 214-426-GROUP.

Student Rush tickets are available beginning one hour before each performance at the Music Hall Box Office (6:30 p.m. for evening performances and 12:30 p.m. for matinee performances). The $25 tickets are best available at time of purchase, first come first served; students should present their valid student I.D. at time of purchase for a maximum of two tickets. Valid on select performance only; follow Dallas Summer Musicals Facebook page for the alert.

The Dallas engagement of MARY POPPINS is presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ 73^rd Season of the Best of Broadway continues with the following shows:

WICKED, THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WITCHES OF OZ, April 10-May 5. So much happened before Dorothy dropped in! Variety calls WICKED “a cultural phenomenon,” and it has broken box office records and sold out every time it has played Dallas. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster,” according to The New York Times.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE MUSICAL, May 14-26. Presenting the most outrageously fun Broadway musical, a spectacular show that tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends on a road trip of a lifetime. Hopping aboard a battered old bus in search of love and friendship in the middle of the Australian Outback, they end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. An international hit with over 500 dazzling, Tony® Award-winning costumes, PRISCILLA features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “Finally” and “I Will Survive.”

SISTER ACT, A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY, June 4-16. Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash, called by The New York Post “Ridiculously Fun,” has audiences jumping to their feet in total agreement. Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent.

FLASHDANCE, THE MUSICAL, June 25-July 7. The pop-culture phenomenon and runaway international success is now live on stage. It all started with a dream. To be bigger. To burn brighter. To dance harder. Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, The Addams Family), this new musical features a score of smash hits including The Academy Award® winning title track “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “I Love Rock & Roll,” and 16 new original songs.

Season sponsors and partners for Dallas Summer Musicals are The Dallas Morning News, Metro PCS, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, The Original Cupcakery, the Frontiers of Flight Museum and Texas Instruments.

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

# # #

FROM THE BACK ROW: Student Rush!

Hey DSM Fans!

We are SO excited! Last week Dallas Summer Musicals launched their STUDENT RUSH program, finally making it affordable for STUDENTS to see some of DSM’s 2013 shows! One hour before the show, anyone with a valid student ID can purchase the best available seating for ONLY $25! Students: this means there’s a chance YOU could snag a great seat -front and center- for a fraction of the price… It’s totally worth it!

STUDENT RUSH will be offered at select performances, so Like Us On Facebook to know when you’ll be able to take advantage of this sweet deal.

Tickets available 1 hour before performance – 6:30pm evenings / 12:30pm matinees
$25 tickets – best available at time of purchase – first come first served
Present valid student ID at time of purchase for maximum of 2 tickets **PLEASE NOTE: For the 2015 Season and going forward, Student Rush is only 1 ticket per valid ID.**
Only available with certain DSM shows at select performances
Parking is FREE when you park on Fair Park grounds

TONIGHT IS THE LAST STUDENT RUSH **FOR CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!**

Students, we hope to see you at The Music Hall at Fair Park soon!

(Follow @dsmusicals on Twitter & Instagram too!)

-DSM Haley

FROM THE BACK ROW: I didn't know I'd LOVE it

Hey DSM Fans!

Growing up, theatre was the last thing on my mind. I’m one of three boys so I spent my time roughhousing with my brothers and playing sports. Needless to say, there were no showtunes playing in my house. I wasn’t introduced to musical theatre until my junior year of high school when I saw WICKED in New York City. Going into WICKED I had no idea what I was embarking on, and by the end of the show I was blown away by the intricate set, familiar story line and especially the musical talent. To be honest, I was shocked that I enjoyed the experience as much as I did. From then on I was a little more open to the idea of musical theatre.

On my very first day at DSM I was asked to make some calls regarding ticket sales for MEMPHIS the musical. Before that day, I had never even heard of MEMPHIS and I definitely had no idea how much it would impact my life. I saw the show opening night and I was blown away once again by the impeccable dancing, the authentic sets and most importantly the charm and talent of the leading actress. I went home that night and just had to buy the entire soundtrack. Two days later I saw the show again, twice in one day, and by the end of that night I knew all the words to each song. When the show came back to Ft. Worth earlier this month I went and saw it again, I think obsessed was an understatement at that moment for me. This was the way I felt when I saw CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. I went in not knowing what to expect and left the show wanting more.

Me with Bryan Fenkart (Huey) from Memphis the Musical.

We are in the middle of our second week of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and I highly recommend coming to see the show! It’s a show that everyone can love and appreciate. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is smart, clever and without a doubt the most fun you will have all year. Broadway has finally established a show that men of all ages can take pleasure in and maybe by the end of the show, you will see your life in living color.

So remember not to let the words “musical theatre” scare you. If I hadn’t taken a risk seeing WICKED, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today and working in this industry. I am still that guy’s guy who is obsessed with sports, but there will always be a place in my heart for musical theatre. Let’s just say I have been “changed for the better”.

-DSM Luke

FROM THE BACK ROW: Jet-Setting with Pat Smith

“…on my very first flight I was stuck in Sydney for 5 days. They put us up in a really nice hotel, gave us a per diem in the currency of the country and said, ‘As long as you’re in uniform 5 days from now, you can do whatever you want!’” -Pat Smith

Hey DSM Fans!

In 1963, a very ambitious 22-year-old Pat Smith took a pilot’s advice and applied to work for an international airline. She got the job, and for 3 years Pat circled the globe living the notoriously glamourous life of a 1960s Pan Am flight attendant! Luke and I were thrilled that Pat was willing to answer some of our questions, and with CATCH ME IF YOU CAN opening on Tuesday (2/12), the timing was perfect!

Pat Smith – Tokyo – 1963

How old were you when you became a Pan Am flight attendant?

I was 22 years of age, 2 weeks out of graduating from the University of Oregon. It was 1963.

What made you decide to apply for the job?

First of all, my dad was in real estate in California and he was selling beautiful lots right outside of San Francisco with a group of Pan Am pilots. In my senior year at school I had met a bunch of these pilots and they encouraged me to join Pan Am. I was not familiar with it but they told me you fly internationally and it just kind of sounded terribly exciting to me! So that’s how I was introduced to it. I Interviewed and was accepted, and then unbeknownst to me there were 5 other girls from the University of Oregon that were accepted with Pan Am and we all became roommates in San Francisco.

What was Pan Am’s training program like?

We had to have a foreign language. I spoke French so I passed that test. For me, the toughest thing was the swimming test. Even though I could swim, I’ve always been afraid of water, and the application questionnaire asked if you could swim, so I said yes, not realizing that part of the training was jumping in a large Olympic sized pool to prove it! So all 30 of the people jumped in the pool except for me. I’m still standing on the side of the pool thinking, ‘how bad do I really wanna do this??’ So I didn’t dive in, I gently climbed in and did the sidestroke to the other end of the pool.

We also practiced with life rafts, we did customer relations, we had the white gloves and silver trays, we were told never to take a silver coffee pot out into the isle without having it on a silver tray with cream and sugar on the tray. And in 1^st class we cooked! I mean, we literally cooked. And that was hard because it was like a 7 course meal. They’d start off with a beautiful fish course, they’d have caviar, a salad course, the roast with vegetables, and then cherries jubilee. One of my biggest nightmares was when I forgot to take the ice cream out of the dry ice and it was hard as a rock. It was easy to forget when you’d have 20-25 people in first class and you’re preparing food for all of them.

Did you fly with the girls you were living with?

A couple of times, but very rarely because we were junior. I don’t know if you saw the Pan Am series where those girls all flew together, but it wasn’t like that. Pan Am hired a majority of their flight attendants outside of the U.S. because they had to speak the language fluently to operate a foreign flight carrier. They hired a lot of French, German, Japanese, and Chinese gals – they’d hire a lot of Icelandic gals because they were so multilingual, which I thought was interesting. So in most cases I was the only American girl on a flight crew of 6. To me, at 22 years of age right out of college, this was a totally new experience to be talking with all of these girls from Norway and Germany and Tokyo….

What was the average pay for a Pan Am Flight Attendant in the 60s?

I think when we started… I wanna say, annually maybe like $7,000 or $8,000 dollars

Did Pan Am pay for your living expenses in San Francisco or NY?

No, you had to pay for all of that on your own. In New York, the apartments were so expensive that there were 5 or 6 of us in a 1-bedroom apartment! So we had bunk beds in the bedroom, and another little twin bed, and a rollaway in the living room. You didn’t really want people to come in and open the kitchen drawers because they wouldn’t find knives and spoons and forks, they’d find all of our clothes! But with our different flight schedules we were never there at the same time so it worked out.

Did they always put you up in the nicest hotels?

Yes. It wasn’t ever second rate. And at that time Pan Am owned the Intercontinental Hotel chain, which was a very first-class hotel, and if we got into a city that didn’t have them we stayed somewhere of that same caliber. They took very good care of us. I mean, here we are all over the world, you couldn’t read this in books, it was just a marvelous experience.

When you made the choice to become a flight attendant, did you realize what you were getting yourself into?

I had a goal. My goal was to see the world. And I flew for 3 years because I was pretty ambitious and I had other things I wanted to do, but I knew I couldn’t pass this up. I was hardly ever home when I lived in San Francisco and New York because I’d be gone for 2 weeks at a time. I’d bid, I chose to go on these trips. I wouldn’t always get my first bid but I knew exactly what I wanted and that was to get as much travel as I possibly could.

Who were some of your most memorable passengers?

I had Yul Brynner – he was very nice, and very quiet.

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.

Jean Simmons, the movie star – she and Mayor Joseph Alioto were on my flight from Tokyo to San Francisco. It was November 22 1963, and I’m in the first class galley cooking eggs when the pilot came on and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re about an hour outside of Honolulu, but I wanted to let you know that President John F. Kennedy has been shot.” And that’s where I was.

I had the Rolling Stones! They were in coach where I was working and they were so entertaining. They were up and down the aisle, one of them – I don’t remember who it was because I don’t think they were really famous yet – came back and asked for my sweeper, and he swept up and down the aisle. He kept coming in and actually bothering me because I was trying to get the scrambled eggs out, but they were hysterical!

Did you know anyone at Pan Am who crossed paths with Frank Abagnale, Jr.?

My friend Sylvia’s roommate actually knew Frank, and he arrived one night in uniform and asked to borrow $200 from her. She gave it to him and never saw it again!

Frank Abagnale, Jr. was not a trained pilot, so when he made it on to the plane, what would he do?

He’d come on and posed as a deadhead, so he was never actually flying the plane. His whole imposter was wearing the uniform and riding as a passenger, that’s how he traveled. One time they told Frank he could sit in the jump seat because the plane was full, and he walked into the cockpit and couldn’t find the seat because he had no idea that you were supposed to pull it down.

How is flying today different from when you were a flight attendant?

Oh, so much! The food especially. We’d pride ourselves on the presentation, I mean we had orchids on all the displays, and the best champagne and best wine. But I think #1 would have to be customer relations. We were told those passengers were like our family. Smiles, how can I help, if there was a baby on board we’d warm their milk, it was all about being proactive – not waiting until someone asks for something.

But we also had height and weight restrictions, your hair couldn’t touch your shoulders, you reported an hour and a half before your flight and your grooming supervisor would weigh you, and check your uniform, and if you didn’t look right they’d pull you off the flight! But I loved the quality – I think that’s what made Pan Am so special – we were hired, but by golly we better live up to that Pan Am image.

Do you still keep in touch with the girls you used to fly with?

They’re my best friends. 8 of them were just here a couple years ago. They’re in San Francisco, Connecticut, Arizona, etc… but I keep in touch because they are my best friends. There’s definitely still a bond.

“Spring comes to Maiden Lane” in San Francisco
Barbara Longnecker (left) and Pat Smith (right) with the District Sales Manager from the Pan Am sales office on Union Square, 1963

Today, Pat Smith owns her own trade show management company. She is also President of the DFW chapter of World Wings International. Currently, there are 40 chapters all around the world, and they each support a local charity. Pat and the DFW chapter work hard selling cookbooks and calendars, and doing annual fundraisers all to raise money for the local charity, SafeHaven.

-DSM Haley

FROM THE BACK ROW: AP Membership Party

Hey DSM Fans!

Wednesday night’s Membership Party seemed to be a great success for DSM’s Associate Producers. The very charming Sunset Lounge was brimming with current AP members, led by President Lauren Smith, and plenty of fresh faces eager to join the 2013 crew. We were happy to welcome all of the returning members and excited to meet so many new ones!

The Sunset Lounge offered their signature drink, The Caipirinha and 3 specialty cocktails, themed for each show AP will attend as a group this season: WICKED, FLASHDANCE and THE LION KING. Baskets of Plantain Chips were available to each table and trays of delicious Chicken Tinga Tacos floated around the room.

As some guests made their rounds and others gathered at tables, the evening’s energy never lulled. AP has a lot to look forward to this year, and everyone was buzzing about DSM’s 2013 season! The party came to a close with some enthusiastic words from AP President Lauren Smith and Membership Chair Miranda Bond, and a drawing for tickets to opening night of SISTER ACT. All in all, the event was wonderful and we’re all looking forward to the next one!

If you couldn’t make it Wednesday night, no worries! CLICK HERE if you would like to join AP or to renew your current membership. *FYI: The deadline for ordering your AP-event WICKED tickets is Feb. 24!

-DSM Haley

New Performance Times This Season!

Did you know we have changed our performance times for our 2013 Season?

We don’t want anyone to miss the opening curtain for any of our spectacular DSM Broadway shows this season, so we need your help to let everyone know this year’s curtain goes up 30 minutes earlier than before!

Showtime will now be at 7:30 p.m. for our evening shows, and 1:30 p.m. for all matinee performances.

Check your tickets and spread the word – you don’t want to be late!

Can’t wait to see you at the Music Hall for our 2013 Season, starting off with CATCH ME IF YOU CAN on February 12th!

-DSM Amanda

FROM THE BACK ROW: Why YOU Should Join DSM's Associate Producers

Hey DSM Fans!

Calling all young professionals! DSM’s 2013 Season is top-notch and this is your chance to get involved: Associate Producers (AP) is a dynamic group of young professionals who share a passion for theatre and a desire to support the arts. Associate Producers aims to make Dallas Summer Musicals a treasured piece of the city’s culture in the eyes of its young adults. The group is easy to join and a membership comes with exclusive privileges and one-of-a-kind experiences that make it worth every penny!

“I love the opportunity not only to support the arts in Dallas but specifically Dallas Summer Musicals, where I’ve been seeing musical theater productions since I was a kid. I love that I now get to be an actual part of DSM. I also love the people I’ve met through Associate Producers. As President and former Membership co-chair of AP I’ve gotten not only to meet and get to know so many of our awesome members but also the great people we work with at DSM. This is such a great group! If you like theater and you are interested in meeting other young professionals that enjoy theater and supporting the arts then this is the group for you. Not only do we get discounted tickets to the shows and preferred block seating in the theater but there are networking and social opportunities throughout the year.” -Lauren Smith, AP President

FYI:

Currently, AP consists of approx. 120 members (under age 45)
AP offers annual memberships that run January – December
$100 per membership -or- $50 per person in a shared membership
Memberships include exclusive benefits
AP is governed by its own Board of Directors
AP gives back with various philanthropic projects
AP serves as a platform for grooming future leaders within the DSM organization

BENEFITS:

Ideal Networking Opportunities
Membership Party
2-3 Show Events per Season
Holiday Party
Premium Seating
Discounted Tickets on AP Group Nights

*For a complete list of info & benefits, visit the AP Homepage

With a season of Broadway blockbusters ahead of us, including fan-favorites WICKED and THE LION KING, 2013 is sure to be a great year for the Associate Producers and the perfect time for prospective members to join!

According to AP Chairman Robert Ivey, members have a lot to look forward to this season:

“The Associate Producers offers one-of-a-kind access to the Dallas Summer Musicals. 2013 will be a very strong year for the Associate Producers. Our members have the opportunity to attend WICKED, FLASHDANCE and THE LION KING at discounted rates and enjoy complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres at our invite-only events associated with each of these shows. We will kickoff the year with a membership event next month, where new and returning members gather to learn more about the organization and our plans for the year. In addition to these and other social activities, we expect to partner for a fourth year with Jubilee Park for our annual Associate Producers philanthropy event this fall. Jubilee Park is a community center near Fair Park, which provides a variety of services to community residents. Through our partnership with Jubilee Park, the Associate Producers help to strengthen Dallas Summer Musicals’ ties with the South Dallas community.” -Robert Ivey, AP Chairman

As a fly on the wall at a few of these AP events, I can tell you this: there’s always a good turnout, smiling faces and enthusiastic personalities fill the room with high energy, and on one occasion a couple of cast members even stopped by to say hello before taking the stage. DSM works hard to make AP events worthwhile, so check it out!

Try something new this year – Support the arts! – You won’t regret it.

-DSM Haley

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY: Download the Membership Form Here

FOR MORE INFO:

Click here to visit the Associate Producers website

Like Associate Producers on Facebook!

-or-

Contact Mark Chambless at mchambless@dallassummermusicals.org

Steve Watson Named Chairman of the Board of DSM for 2013

DALLAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE AND CIVIC LEADER STEVE WATSON
NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS

Dallas, TX… Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc., (DSM), the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, has named Steve Watson, a business executive and civic leader, Chairman of the DSM Board of Directors for 2013. Watson was installed as Board Chairman at DSM’s annual meeting in December 2012.

As Managing Director of the Dallas office of Stanton Chase International, a member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants ranked within the top 10 global retained search firms, Steve Watson was recognized in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by Business Week magazine as one of the “50 Most Influential Headhunters in the World.” Watson previously served as International Chairman from 2004-2010.

Prior to his search career, Steve served as President and CEO, and Chairman of Micronyx, and as regional director for the south central region for Tandem Computers. He was with Burroughs Corporation early in his career, where he held management positions of increasing responsibility. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and his MBA from Southern Methodist University (SMU).

Currently, Mr. Watson serves on the Board of SMU’s Athletic Forum, the Board of Governors of Northwood Club, and the Board of the North Texas Wisconsin Alumni Association. He previously served as President of Northwood Club; a mentor for SMU’s Cox School of Business Executive MBA Scholarship Program; a Board Member of the Metroplex Technology Business Council; and on the Board of Directors for Terra Nova Financial Group (“TNFG”). Steve and his wife, Sandy, are active members of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.

DSM President and Managing Director Michael Jenkins said, “We are very lucky to have a visionary business leader like Steve Watson take the helm as Chairman of the Board of Dallas Summer Musicals for 2013.He combines an impressive record of achievement in the business community with outstanding volunteer leadership in support of education and the arts, and has been a big supporter of DSM for some time. Steve and Sandy chaired a very successful benefit gala, Curtain Call, for DSM last year.”

Steve Watson said, “I am deeply honored to have the privilege of serving Dallas’ preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas with year round performances for audiences of all ages. We are very excited about our upcoming season with Wicked, Mary Poppins, Disney’s The Lion King, Sister Act, Catch Me If You Can, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Flashdance; most of which are top selling shows on Broadway. I am pleased to work with a dedicated and engaged Board of Directors who are committed to bringing the best of Broadway and family entertainment to North Texas. We will also be starting our 2014 season with White Christmas during the 2013 holiday season. We are thankful to have Michael Jenkins as our President and Managing Director, since he is well received and recognized on Broadway. 2013 will be an exceptional season for Dallas.”

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

Other DSM Officers for 2013: Vice President – Audit, Jay Fox; Vice President – Community Outreach, Glenda Kemple; Vice President – Development, Ted Munselle; Vice President – Finance, Marvin Lane; Vice President – Marketing, Alfie Pino; Vice President – Nominating, Darrell Jordan; Vice President – Personnel & Compensation, Wally Reed; Secretary, Steven C. Metzger; and Treasurer, Dorsey Baskin.

The 2013 executive committee members are Ruth Altshuler, Dorsey Baskin, Brice Beaird, Ed Bratton, Karl Chiao, Diane Childress, Scott Collier, O. Paul Corley, Jr., O. Paul Corley, Sr., Terry R. Dallas, Jerry Dilettuso, Barry Epstein, Patti Flowers, Jay Fox, Stanley D. Gardner, Rick Graham, Gary E. Griffith, Charles L. Gummer, Sally Hoglund, Darrell Jordan, Sheffie Kadane III, Rebecca Kay, Glenda Kemple, Marvin Lane,John McCoy, Steven C. Metzger, Andy Meyercord, Caven Miller, Ted Munselle, Alfonso E. Pino III, Gail Plummer, James W. Porter, Jr., Dick Quisenberry, Scott Ragland, W. Wallace Reed, Holly Reeves, Rick Rogers, Kenneth D. Sandstad, Kip Sowden, Donald K. Spies, Michael C. Steindorf, Paul A. Stotts, Larry Waisanen, Steve B. Watson, and Kit Williams. Retiring executive committee members are Mike Albright and Laura Estrada.

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

Now celebrating its 73rd season, Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theatre organization in the United States, and the sixth largest non-profit theatre company in the nation. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theatre entertainment since 1941.

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

# # #

For media information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or joannholt@gmail.com.

Catch Me If You Can National Tour Flies into the Music Hall at Fair Park!

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN NATIONAL TOUR FLIES
INTO THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK IN DALLAS

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, the first national tour of the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will land in Dallas, Texas, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park for a limited engagement February 12-24, 2013. Single tickets will be priced from $15-$85 at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, and all Ticketmaster locations, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of 15 or more, call 214-426-GROUP (4768).

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN captures the astonishing true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a world-class con artist who passed himself off as a doctor, a lawyer, and a jet pilot—all before the age of 21. With straight-arrow FBI agent Carl Hanratty on Frank’s trail, we’re off on a jet-setting, cat-and-mouse chase, as a jazzy, swinging-sixties score keeps this adventure in constant motion. In the end, Agent Hanratty learns he and Frank aren’t so very different after all, and Frank finds out what happens when love catches up to a man on the run.

This engagement follows hot on the heels of the recent Broadway run, where the show received considerable acclaim. The New York Times exclaims, “Hot diggity! This portrait of the con artist as a young man comes to ecstatic life.” WOR Radio calls it “absolutely marvelous” and proclaims CATCH ME IF YOU CAN “a real Broadway musical with showstoppers to enthrall just about everyone.” And Vanity Fair says “CATCH ME will move you to live life to the fullest and dance past anything standing in your way,” and urges “Get your seats now!”

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is based on Frank Abagnale’s New York Times bestselling autobiography, published by Broadway Paperbacks, and the hit 2002 film of the same name directed by Steven Spielberg with screenplay by Jeff Nathanson and book by Frank Abagnale, Jr.

Nominated for four Tony^® Awards and six Drama Desk® Awards, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN features a Tony® Award-winning creative team, with a book by Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime), an irresistible score by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman (Hairspray), choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde) and direction by Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

Scenic design for CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is by David Rockwell (Hairspray), costumes based on the original design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long (The Producers), lighting design is by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (Wicked) and sound design is by Peter McBoyle. For more information, visit www.CatchMeOnTour.com.

All performances will be held at the Music Hall at Fair Park, opening at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 24, with matinees at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16; Sunday, Feb. 17; Thursday, Feb. 21; Saturday, Feb. 23 and Sunday, Feb. 24. There will be no evening performance Sunday, Feb. 24.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ 73^rd Season of the Best of Broadway continues with the following shows:

Disney and CAMERON MACKINTOSH present MARY POPPINS, March 20-30. Returning to Dallas for two weeks only, the “roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza!” as proclaimed by the New York Daily News, features an irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time.

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

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Give Broadway for the Holidays!

It’s that time of year again! (I just wish it was colder, and felt more like Holiday time…) I bet you have either finished your holiday gift shopping or, if you’re like me, you are procrastinating because the thought of going to the mall right now gives you nightmares. Well for all you Broadway loving fans, I have great news for you – avoid the mall and the chaos of shopping for gifts and give the gift of Broadway this year! AND it’s not just a normal gift – it’s a full, live experience. Take a look below at what DSM can offer you and your loved ones for your Holiday gifts this year – a gift that will keep giving all year long. Or you can nudge that loved one who can’t decide what to give you. 🙂 It may not be looking a whole lot like Christmas right now, but it definitely is the best time to get tickets to the best of Broadway!

2013 DSM SEASON TICKETS

Join us for the season and enjoy the best Broadway shows, in the best seats, at the best price! See 7 shows for as low as $125! A 2013 DSM Season Ticket includes: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, MARY POPPINS, WICKED, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, SISTER ACT, FLASHDANCE, and THE LION KING. To see our full 2013 Season Brochure, click here. Become a Dallas Summer Musicals subscriber and get the whole package – great shows, the best seats, lowest price, priority offers and exclusive benefits – including: Savings up to $85, (based on regular ticket prices if purchased separately), first opportunity to get the best seats available for the season, and many more! A season ticket is the best way to see the Dallas Summer Musicals. For all of the information on this season, visit our website here. To view further information about this season’s shows, just click on one of the posters above!

Season tickets are only available for purchase for a limited time before the season starts and seats are assigned based on the date you place your order. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase DSM season tickets! Click here to get your 2013 DSM Season Tickets Now!

2013 DSM MINI PACKS

For a limited time, pick 4 or more shows from our 2013 Season: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, MARY POPPINS, WICKED, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, SISTER ACT, FLASHDANCE, and THE LION KING. To see our full 2013 Season Brochure, click here. Become a Dallas Summer Musicals subscriber and get the whole package – great shows, the best seats, lowest price, priority offers and exclusive benefits – including: the best seats available for the season, huge savings over single ticket prices, and more! (Please note: If you are purchasing a 4-show package, your package cannot include both WICKED and THE LION KING.)

Mini Packs are great holiday gifts – and you get to pick the shows, dates, times, and price level for your package! We met up with Stephen Anthony who plays Frank Abagnale, Jr. in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN to let you know about Mini Packs. Check out the video below!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqpKQBu0sJM?rel=0]

Click here to get your 2013 DSM Mini Pack Tickets Now!

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Not sure or can’t decide what ticket package or show to give? A Dallas Summer Musicals Gift Certificate is a unique gift, perfect for almost anyone. Whether you are looking to buy for the person who has everything, or shopping for that special someone who loves musicals, now there is an excellent way for you to give the gift of live theatre – all year round. Think about a DSM Gift Certificate as an excellent stocking stuffer or even a generous gift for employees, bosses, or colleagues. DSM Gift Certificates may be purchased in any increment. Sounds good to you? Click here for full details!

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN PRESALE
Just in time for Holiday gifts! DSM friends and family exclusively are able to purchase tickets to CATCH ME IF YOU CAN before they go on sale to the public! Don’t know much about this show? That’s okay! I will tell you that the music is great and you’ll leave the theater with a smile on your face! This show opens up our 73^rd Season on February 12-24^th! Check out our CATCH ME IF YOU CAN web page here to get full details & get access to our exclusive presale!

WICKED PRESALE
DSM Family and Friends get an Exclusive Priority Offer – WICKED Returns to Dallas/Fort Worth for 4 Weeks ONLY! Go to http://budurl.com/WickedFIRST and use the code FIRST to get the best seats before tickets go on sale to the general public! WICKED flies into Dallas April 10 – May 5. For full details about the show, click here. We’ve had to say the words “Sold Out” for this show, so HURRY – tickets go on sale to the public Monday, January 7th!

While it is a crazy time of the year with family, lots of food and drinks, traveling, decorating, shopping, and so much more, we do hope you are able to pause this Holiday season to feel joy, show love and give thanks. We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and hope to see you in 2013 for our new season!

-DSM Amanda

Cast Announced for Flashdance The Musical!

EMILY PADGETT, MATTHEW HYDZIK
& RACHELLE RAK

TO STAR IN THE WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF

LAUNCHING AT PITTBURGH’S HEINZ HALL, JANUARY 1-8, 2013

TOUR ROUTE ANNOUNCED THROUGH AUGUST 2013

Broadway stars Emily Padgett and Matthew Hydzik will star as “Alex” and “Nick” in the world premiere of FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that defined a generation. Padgett and Hydzik will be joined on stage by the legendary Rachelle Rak in the role of “Tess.” Sergio Trujillo, director and choreographer for the production returned to the home of FLASHDANCE and launch of the world premiere, Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall, to announce the lead casting from a press conference. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Kevin McMahon, CEO of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, were also on hand to welcome the cast and creative team to Pittsburgh and to make a proclamation, naming January 1, 2013 as FLASHDANCE DAY. Celebrating its 30^thAnniversary,FLASHDANCE kicks off a national tour January 1-6 at Heinz Hall and continues on to more than 20 cities, finishing in Dallas June 25 – July 7, 2013! For additional cities and complete tour schedule, click here.

In addition to the US touring company, a second company will be assembled for the creatively reworked production of FLASHDANCE, which will begin performances on Broadway in August 2013 for an open-ended engagement.

The national tour of FLASHDANCE is produced by NETworks Presentations LLC, Steven Baruch, Tom Viertel, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Christopher Malcolm, David Ian Productions and Transamerica.

Emily Padgett (Alex) Having been involved with FLASHDANCE since the first reading with Sergio Trujillo, Emily is beyond thrilled to bring this iconic character to the stage! She was most recently seen on Broadway as Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages. Other Broadway credits include Legally Blonde and Grease. Emily was also seen as Eden Siller in the World Premiere of White Noise at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago. Other NY Workshops include Sheryl Crow’s Diner. TV Credits include “Louie”, “America’s Got Talent”, and “Shall we Dance on Ice” . Love and Thanks to Soffer/Namoff Entertainment.

Matthew Hydzik (Nick)A Pittsburgh native, Matthew feels that it’s perfectly fitting to launch Flashdance’s US tour amongst friends and family in the hometown that he loves dearly. Matthew was last seen on Broadway starring as Tony in the revival of West Side Story, as well as Kenickie in Grease. Off-Bway; John in Tomorrow Morning. National tours of Rent, Fame and Grease. Go Stillers!

Rachelle Rak (Tess) is from Pittsburgh and was trained by her mother at The Rosalene Kenneth Dance Studio. At the age of 17 Rachelle joined the National Tour of Cats. She auditioned at the Benendum Center, she was a senior at Canevin Catholic High School and was cast and left for the road. Her Broadway Credits: Fosse, Catch me if you Can, Cats, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma!, The look of Love and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She is featured in the Documentary Film “Every Little Step”, The Making of A Chorus Line. National Tours: Starlight Express and Smoke Joe’s Cafe, International: Sunset Blvd and The Trip of Love. Regional: Chicago: Velma Kelly, A Chorus Line:Sheila. Rachelle is thrilled to work with Director, Choreographer Sergio Trjuillo. “Flashdance” was the film that inspired the hope and desire to be in show business. She was 14 years old when she watched it probably 100 times and she knew that even though her story was different then Alex Owens, she wanted to leave Pittsburgh and go to Broadway. Well, that dream happened and she is so thankful she gets to return to her home town and debut the role of Tess in Flashdance -The Musical.

The production features lighting design by Howell Binkley, scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, projection design by Peter Nigrini and costumes by Paul Tazewell with sound design by John Shivers, hair design by Charles LaPointe, and make-up design by Cookie Jordan. The production also features music arrangements and supervision by Jason Howland, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, dance arrangements by Jim Abbott,

For more information, please visit www.flashdancethemusical.com or follow us www.facebook.com/flashdancemusical. For booking/touring information, please contact Simma Levine (slevine@ontheroadbooking.com).

CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

TOM HEDLEY (Book, original screenplay for the Flashdance movie). As editor-in-chief of Toronto Life, Tom Hedley turned it into the “magazine of the year” and published, among others, Margaret Atwood, Leonard Cohen, Robertson Davies and won national magazine award for fiction by Alice Munro. He was the youngest ever editor of Esquire Magazine during the magazine’s golden age, working for the legendary Harold Hayes in New York. During his four-year tenure, he worked with important writers and artists of the time including Tom Wolfe, Michael Herr, Diane Arbus, Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Gay Talese and Robert Coover. He produced a number of celebrated cover-sections including: “The Decline and Fall of the American Avant Garde” in which he commissioned a play by Sam Shepard that was eventually performed at Lincoln Center, Claes Oldenburg’s last happening and a photographic essay on The New Theater by Andy Warhol. He commissioned and published essays by Fedrico Fellini, Francois Truffaut, Michelangelo Antonioni among others, and asked the great directors to direct their own self-portraits. He produced and directed four documentaries for the CBC’s flagship current affairs program and wrote a number of produced screenplays including, among others: Circle of Two, directed by Jules Dassin, starring Richard Burton and Tatum O’Neil, Mr. Patman, starring Kate Nelligan and James Colburn, Double Negative, starring Michael Sarrazin, Tony Perkins and John Candy, Fighting Back, starring Patti Lupone and Tom Skerrit and Flashdance, an international hit which won an Academy Award for best-song and has since become a film classic. He has written screenplays for Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, David Geffen, Jean-Paul Goude, Sean Penn, among others. In 2001 he completed a three-year period in London as an editor and publisher of Duckworth, the venerable publishers of Virginia Woolfe and D.H. Lawrence. His titles were generally well received and garnered both awards and books-of-the-year status in leading British journals and newspapers. He also created a new imprint called Duck Editions. Tom Hedley received the Humanitas Prize 2002 award as executive producer of the movie Iris, directed by Richard Eyre, starring Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Kate Winslet. The film won any number of international awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award. He is currently President of The Hedley Media Group LLC in New York City. He will both write and direct The Last Laugh, an independent film centered around the 1980’s comedy scene in Los Angeles.

numerous audience and jury awards. In addition to his film work, Robert is co-book writer with ZZ Top of the musical Sharp Dressed Man, directed by Andy Fickman and the lyricist and co-librettist of Palm Beach, produced in 2005 by the La Jolla Playhouse and directed by Des McAnuff, and he is also the co-author and lyricist of musical adaptations of The Thomas Crown Affair and Heartbreakers, both commissioned by MGM On Stage.

ROBBIE ROTH (Music and Lyrics). Robbie Roth’s music has been heard on stage, screen, and radio all

around the world. His songs have graced the Billboard charts in America, and appeared on record alongside Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, and many others. His work has been featured on “Good Morning America,” NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” and in a number of films and documentaries. Robbie is most often hired to write and produce for established and upcoming recording artists. In the theatre world, Robbie has been hired as composer on a number of new musicals, and has written and produced records for Tony Award® nominee, Gavin Creel.

STEVEN BARUCH, TOM VIERTEL, MARC ROUTH, RICHARD FRANKEL (Producer), have produced and managed a wide range of productions for more than 26 years including A Little Night Music, Hairspray, The Producers, Stomp, Burn the Floor, The Norman Conquests, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Company, Little Shop of Horrors, The Weir, The Sound of Music, Smokey Joe’s Café, Angels in America, Oleanna, Love Letters, Driving Miss Daisy, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Penn and Teller and many others. Their shows have been awarded 36 Tony Awards®, 47 Drama Desk Awards, 38 Outer Critics Awards, 4 Grammy Awards, 8 Olivier Awards and 2 Pulitzer Prizes. They have the rare distinction of having won Tony Awards® in all four “Best” categories – play, musical, revival of a play and revival of a musical.

TERRI AND TIMOTHY CHILDS (Producer). For the past 23 years, Terri and Timothy have produced or coproduced 25 shows on Broadway, in London’s West End, and for tours in North America and the United Kingdom. Known for innovative producing, they presented Patrick Stewart’s one-man A Christmas Carol, James Mapes (hypnotist), The Flying Karamazov Brothers do the Impossible, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, and the La Cuadra de Sevilla’s version of Carmen, complete with a dancing horse. Their most recent productions include Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, Kim Cattrall in Private Lives (both Broadway), and Ralph Fiennes in The Tempest (London). In addition to Flashdance, future productions include The Conjuror (U.K. 2013), and Richard Bean’s Honeymoon Suite (Broadway, 2014). Timothy has directed an even dozen productions, in New York, London, and regionally. He has written a novel, Cold Turkey (Harper & Row), and new a stage adaptation of One Touch of Venus.

NETworks PRESENTATIONS, LLC Since 1995, NETworks has produced and managed over 45 touring productions in the US., U.K. and internationally. Current productions include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Billy Elliot The Musical, Blue Man Group National Tour, Elf The Musical, Flashdance the Musical, La Cage Aux Folles, The New 25th Anniversary Production of Les Misérables, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, Shrek The Musical and National Theatre of Great Britain’s production of War Horse touring the U.S.

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FROM THE BACK ROW: 2013 Season Announcement Event

Hey DSM Fans!

Last week, Dallas Summer Musicals held their 2013 Season Announcement Event here at the Music Hall at Fair Park, and we were lucky enough to be a part of it! From the early stages of planning to thanking the very lasts guests for attending, this event was an awesome learning experience for both of us.

LUKE:

The Season Event Launch was one of the most rewarding and exciting events to be a part of since I started my journey with DSM. Our excitement and anticipation for the event was the driving force behind all the hard work from my DSM colleagues. In preparation for the event, I had several odd jobs from stuffing the goody bags, to picking up flyers, to even buying a fog machine at Party City. Then before we knew it, the event was underway and the excitement began to overflow the Music Hall at Fair Park.

During the actual event, I put up posters around the venue as each show of our upcoming season was announced. Also, I assisted our PR Director JoAnn Holt by escorting our special guest cast members and Master of Ceremonies Paige McCoy Smith to each of their positions. It was truly an honor to be around such talented women who lit up the stage with pure elegance and poise. The event was a home run and as each show was unveiled, I saw the excitement and joy that each show brought to the audience. When the whole thing was over and done, I knew how special it was to be a part of this event and how truly blessed I was to have a job that I absolutely love.

Q. Smith singing “Feed the Birds” from MARY POPPINS

Buyi Zama singing “Circle of Life” from THE LION KING

HALEY:

Looking back, the whole thing was a whirlwind of preparation! I spend a LOT of time staring at RSVP spreadsheets, but I was rewarded with… (drumroll please)… a DESTINATION DSM flight attendant uniform! This meant that I was selected to stand onstage and unveil each show’s poster as they were announced. DSM sent me to Norcostco where I got to play dress up while the oh-so-wonderful Amanda worked her magic and created a look for me. She also pulled some fabulous costumes for the event’s show-themed displays – thanks again, Norcostco! On Announcement day, the Music Hall was bustling with activity. Set-up, sound check and finishing touches ran smoothly, and before I knew it our doors were open!

The evening was a success, and this would not have been possible without such a wonderful audience. Unveiling each poster, show by show, the collective excitement and unbridled enthusiasm of our guests was truly thrilling. I can’t believe I got to participate in the revelation of DSM’s incredible 2013 Season!

It was a privilege for us to be a part of DSM’s 2013 Season Announcement Event! Get ready DSM Fans: Dallas Summer Musicals’ 2013 Season is a season of Broadway blockbusters, so get your TICKETS now!

-DSM Luke & Haley

Flashdance US National Tour comes to Dallas!

"How Whoopi Got the Habit" By Matt Wolf

National Tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Comes To Dallas

WICKED Announces Lottery for $25 Seats!

WICKED ANNOUNCES LOTTERY FOR $25 SEATS!

Mary After Midnight – One Night Only with the cast of Mary Poppins

Dallas Loves Mary Poppins!

FROM THE BACK ROW: Beware of Ticket Scalping

Hey DSM Fans!

So DSM Fans, this is just a friendly Public Service Announcement from us to you. Buy your tickets through DSM-official ticketing outlets!

We’re looking forward to seeing you at The Music Hall this month for MARY POPPINS!

A Real Story from a DSM Subscriber!

Mary Poppins flies into Dallas for 10 days only!

FROM THE BACK ROW: Student Rush!

Hey DSM Fans!

STUDENT RUSH will be offered at select performances, so Like Us On Facebook to know when you’ll be able to take advantage of this sweet deal.

TONIGHT IS THE LAST STUDENT RUSH FOR CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!

Students, we hope to see you at The Music Hall at Fair Park soon!

(Follow @dsmusicals on Twitter & Instagram too!)

FROM THE BACK ROW: I didn't know I'd LOVE it

FROM THE BACK ROW: Jet-Setting with Pat Smith

“…on my very first flight I was stuck in Sydney for 5 days. They put us up in a really nice hotel, gave us a per diem in the currency of the country and said, ‘As long as you’re in uniform 5 days from now, you can do whatever you want!’” -Pat Smith

Hey DSM Fans!

FROM THE BACK ROW: AP Membership Party

Hey DSM Fans!

New Performance Times This Season!

FROM THE BACK ROW: Why YOU Should Join DSM's Associate Producers

Hey DSM Fans!

FYI:

BENEFITS:

*For a complete list of info & benefits, visit the AP Homepage

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!

FOR MORE INFO:

Click here to visit the Associate Producers website

Like Associate Producers on Facebook!

-or-

Contact Mark Chambless at mchambless@dallassummermusicals.org

Steve Watson Named Chairman of the Board of DSM for 2013

Catch Me If You Can National Tour Flies into the Music Hall at Fair Park!

Give Broadway for the Holidays!

Cast Announced for Flashdance The Musical!

FROM THE BACK ROW: 2013 Season Announcement Event

Our Sponsors

So DSM Fans, this is just a friendly Public Service Announcement from us to you.
Buy your tickets through DSM-official ticketing outlets!

TONIGHT IS THE LAST STUDENT RUSH **FOR CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!**