AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
THE MOST AWARDED NEW MUSICAL OF 2015
ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR NATIONAL TOUR

New York, NY – The producers of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, the most awarded new musical of 2015 and winner of four Tony Awards®, have announced the full cast for the upcoming national tour. As previously announced, Jerry Mulligan and Lise Dassin will be played by Garen Scribner and Sara Esty, who performed these leading roles on Broadway. Joining them are Etai Benson (Wicked) as Adam Hochberg; Emily Ferranti (Wicked, Dreamgirls) as Milo Davenport; Gayton Scott (Gypsy, The Women) as Madame Baurel; and Nick Spangler (The Book of Mormon, Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Henri Baurel.

Leigh-Ann Esty (Miami City Ballet) and Ryan Steele (Newsies, Matilda) join the cast as the Lise and Jerry alternates. Rounding out the ensemble are: Karolina Blonski, Brittany Bohn, Stephen Brower, Randy Castillo, Jessica Cohen, Jace Coronado, Barton Cowperthwaite, Alexa De Barr, Erika Hebron, Christopher M. Howard, Colby Q. Lindeman, Nathalie Marrable, Tom Mattingly, Caitlin Meighan, Alida Michal, Don Noble, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Alexandra Pernice, David Prottas, Emily Ramirez, Danielle Santos, Lucas Segovia, Kyle Vaughn, Laurie Wells, Dana Winkle, Erica Wong and Blake Zelesnikar.

The national tour will premiere in Boston at the Citi Wang Theatre October 25-November 6, following a preview period at Proctor’s in Schenectady, NY. The full tour route can be found on www.AnAmericanInParisBroadway.com.

Inspired by the Academy-Award winning film, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is the romantic story about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Directed and choreographed by 2015 Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon, the show features the music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, and a book by Craig Lucas.

The creative team is also comprised of Tony Award-winners Bob Crowley (set and costume designer) and Natasha Katz (lighting designer); Jon Weston (sound designer); 59 Productions (projection designer); Rob Fisher (musical score adaption, arrangement and supervision); Todd Ellison (musical supervisor); David Andrews Rogers (musical director/conductor); Christopher Austin and Bill Elliott (orchestrations); Sam Davis (dance arrangements); Telsey + Company/Rachel Hoffman, C.S.A. (casting); Rick Steiger (production supervisor); Dontee Kiehn (associate director); and Sean Kelly (associate choreographer).

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS won four 2015 Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and two Theatre World Awards. The musical was included on the Year’s Best lists of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New Yorker, the Associated Press, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Masterworks Broadway Original Broadway Cast recording of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS was nominated for the Best Musical Theater Album Grammy Award.

The score of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS includes the songs “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “‘S’Wonderful,” “But Not For Me,” “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise,” and orchestral music including “Concerto in F,” “Second Prelude,” “Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture” and “An American In Paris.”

The production opened to widespread critical acclaim at the Palace Theatre on Broadway on April 12, 2015 after its world premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris November 22, 2014-January 4, 2015. The New York production recently played its 500th performance, and continues at the Palace Theatre through Sunday, October 9, 2016. A West End production of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS will start in March 2017 at the Dominion Theatre

The producers are Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan and Roy Furman by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical, Pittsburgh CLO and Théâtre du Châtelet.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is presented by Dallas Summer Musicals
January 31 – February 12, 2017 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

To secure your tickets, become a DSM Subscriber today!

Season Tickets On Sale Now! For more info, visit: www.DallasSummerMusicals.org

ELIZABETH STANLEY & ANDREW SAMONSKY
TO STAR AS FRANCESCA & ROBERT
IN
THE NATIONAL TOUR OF

THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MUSICAL TO MAKE NORTH TEXAS DEBUT FEBRUARY 2-14, 2016 AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

“The score by Jason Robert Brown is SUMPTUOUS!”
-New York Times

“MAGIC! An evening you will cherish long after the show’s over!”
–NPR

“The beating heart of the show is Brown’s score. It’s richly melodic and rhythmic — and one of Broadway’s best in the last decade!”
-Daily News

“GORGEOUS, POWERFUL & RAPTUROUS! ‘BRIDGES’ is one of the few recent Broadway musicals to take up the challenges laid down by the great works of Rodgers and Hammerstein – to tell important stories and somehow make them sing.”
–New York Magazine

The producers of the upcoming national tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY have announced that Elizabeth Stanley, currently starring in the role of Claire De Loone on Broadway in the revival of ON THE TOWN, and Andrew Samonsky, last seen in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at the Paper Mill Playhouse, will star as Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid. Featuring gorgeous, soulful music by three-time Tony Award^® winner JASON ROBERT BROWN that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping balladry of classic Broadway, Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News hails it as “one of Broadway’s best scores in the last decade.” Tom Geier of Entertainment Weekly exclaims that Brown “has written a lush and deeply romantic score, filled with rich and melodic duets,” and NPR proclaims it’s “MAGIC! An evening you will cherish long after the show is over!” As previously announced, the production will begin performances on November 28 at the Des Moines Civic Center in Des Moines, IA and will continue to over 15 additional major markets across North America in its first season.

Elizabeth Stanley is currently starring as the man-crazed anthropologist Claire De Loone in the Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN (Drama Desk Nomination). Other roles originated on Broadway: Dyanne in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET; Allison in CRY-BABY, and April in the Tony Award-winning revival of COMPANY First National Tour: Kira in XANADU. Off-Broadway: Gussie in the New York City Center, Encores! production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and The Nurse in HELLO, AGAIN (Transport Theatre Group—Drama League Nomination, best ensemble). Favorite regional roles: Kate in KISS ME KATE, Sugar in SUGAR, Constanze in AMADEUS. TV: Black Box, Made in Jersey, Fringe, The Chappelle Show, and PBS Great Performances —Company. Graduate of Indiana University. www.elizabethstanley.net

Andrew Samonsky recently played Captain Phoebus in the American premiere of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at the Paper Mill and La Jolla Playhouse. Broadway: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROO (Neville), SCANDALOUS (Kenneth Ormisten, original cast recording), and SOUTH PACIFIC (Lt. Cable, including the Live From Lincoln Center PBS broadcast). Off-Broadway: Queen of the Mist as Frank Russell (Drama Desk Award nomination, original cast recording), and Encores! productions of Fiorello! and Merrily We Roll Along.  Original productions of Somewhere in Time (Richard, Portland Center Stage), TALES OF THE CITY (Beauchamp, ACT), LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (La Jolla Playhouse, Joshua), and DISNEY’S ON THE RECORD (Original Cast Recording).  He’s a soloist with symphonies across the country.  TV/Film: Elementary, Guiding Light.

The critically acclaimed musical of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY features one of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams with music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award^®-winning composer JASON ROBERT BROWN (PARADE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS), book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer MARSHA NORMAN (THE SECRET GARDEN, THE COLOR PURPLE, ‘NIGHT, MOTHER), and led by the Tony Award^®-winning director BARTLETT SHER (SOUTH PACIFIC, THE KING AND I, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA).

The team also includes scenic design by two-time Tony Award^®winner MICHAEL YEARGAN (THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SOUTH PACIFIC), costume design by six-time Tony Award^® winner CATHERINE ZUBER (SOUTH PACIFIC, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, THE COAST OF UTOPIA), lighting design by two-time Tony Award^® winner DONALD HOLDER (SOUTH PACIFIC, THE LION KING), sound design by JON WESTON, orchestrations by JASON ROBERT BROWN, and movement by DANNY MEFFORD.

Based on the best-selling novel by ROBERT JAMES WALLER, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY will launch in Des Moines, IA at the Des Moines Civic Center with performances beginning Saturday, November 28^th and will travel to more than 15 cities in its first season. The previously released tour route is available by clicking here with additional cities to be announced soon.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, now available on Ghostlight Records, was released on April 15, 2014 and debuted as the #1 Cast Recording on the Billboard charts. For more information or to purchase the Cast Recording, please visit www.sh-k-boom.com/bridgesofmadisoncounty.

For more information about the upcoming tour, please visit www.BridgesMusical.com

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY is part of Dallas Summer Musicals’ highly anticipated 2015-2016 Season. The new season will kick off with the North Texas debut of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC, November 3-22, 2015; followed by ELF The Musical, December 8-20, 2015; THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, February 2-14, 2016; DSM’s production of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, March 11-27, 2016; WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016; RAGTIME, May 24 – June 5, 2016; BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, June 14-26, 2016; and closing the season will be 42ND STREET, June 28 – July 10, 2016.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ seven-show season tickets, starting at $134, are now on sale online at DallasSummerMusicals.org, in person at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542 in Dallas or by phone at 214-346-3300. In addition, season ticket buyers have the option to add on WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016, to their season subscription for an 8-show package starting at $174.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount for all shows excluding WICKED where groups of 15 or more save on select performances. All groups receive priority seating and many more benefits. Please call 214-426-GROUP (4768) or email Groups@DallasSummerMusicals.org.

About Dallas Summer Musicals:

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education, and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM provides positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, The Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. DSM’s High School Musical Theatre Awards are patterned after Broadway’s Tony® Awards and celebrates the power of the arts to significantly improve all areas of education. Hear Us Now!™ is DSM’s newest initiative. Since 2010 the experts at DSM have made significant changes and upgrades to its acoustical systems to improve the sound quality of the productions for all its patrons, including the hearing impaired. It is so unique that a trademark has been allowed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Coming this fall, Seats for Vets will serve war veterans and their families by providing them with a unique theatrical experience and thanking them for their service. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

Dallas Summer Musicals is presented by Texas Instruments and gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors and partners The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and The Original Cupcakery.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214.421.5678 or visit our website at DallasSummerMusicals.org.

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BIOS:

MARSHA NORMAN (Book) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and co-chair of Playwriting at Juilliard. She won a Tony for THE SECRET GARDEN, and another nomination for THE COLOR PURPLE. Her first play, GETTING OUT, received the John Gassner Playwriting Medallion, the Newsday Oppenheimer Award, and a citation from the American Critics Association. Other plays include THE LAUNDROMAT, THE POOL HALL, LOVING DANIEL BOONE,TRUDY BLUE, and her newest play, LAST DANCE.

Published collections of her works include Four Plays, Collected Works of Marsha Norman, Vol. 1, and a novel, The Fortune Teller. She has also worked extensively in television and film and has an upcoming play for the UN about trafficking and violence toward women. She is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, a former advisory member of the Sewanee Writers Conference, and current vice president of The Dramatists Guild of America. She serves on the boards of the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Independent Committee for Arts Policy. Ms. Norman was elected to the Agnes Scott College Board of Trustees in 2003. She lives with her two children in Monterey, MA and New York City.

JASON ROBERT BROWN (Music, Lyrics and Orchestrations) has won three Tony Awards for his groundbreaking work as a composer, lyricist, and orchestrator. His emotionally incisive, ferociously energetic, and deeply human scores for HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations), PARADE (Tony and Drama Desk Awards), THE LAST FIVE YEARS (Drama Desk Award), 13, and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD have brought his unique voice and highly personal songs to stages all over the world. Other works include his “novel symphony,” The Trumpet of the Swan (written with Marsha Norman), which he conducted with the National Symphony Orchestra. Jason also tours with his band The Caucasian Rhythm Kings, with whom he has recorded a CD, Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes.                                                                                           

BARTLETT SHER (Director). LCT: THE KING AND I; GOLDEN BOY (Tony nomination); BLOOD AND GIFTS; WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (also current London production); JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE (Tony nom.); SOUTH PACIFIC (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics awards; also London and Australia); AWAKE AND SING!, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (Tony noms.). Recent New York: THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (Schoenfeld), PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY (Playwrights Horizons), WASTE (Best Play Obie Award), CYMBELINE (Callaway Award, also at Royal Shakespeare Company), Don Juan, Pericles (TFANA, BAM). Artistic director of Seattle’s Intiman Theater (2000-2009). Previously company director for the Guthrie Theater and associate artistic director at Hartford Stage. Opera: Faust (Baden Baden); Two Boys (ENO, Metropolitan Opera); Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Le Comte Ory, L’Elisir d’Amore (Metropolitan Opera); Romeo et Juliette (Salzburg, Milan, Chicago); Mourning Becomes Electra (Seattle Opera, New York City Opera). Upcoming productions include Otello (Metropolitan Opera), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF(Broadway), Adam Guettel’s new musical MILLIONS.

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR NEW NATIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION OF

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

MAKES NORTH TEXAS DEBUT

NOVEMBER 3-22, 2015 AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK
& AUGUST 17-21, 2016 AT BASS PERFORMANCE HALL

Dallas, TX (July 21, 2015) – Casting has been announced for the brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien. This lavish new production launches this September at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, under the auspices of the Center Theatre Group, and will then tour North America for multiple seasons, playing multi-week and week-long engagements. THE SOUND OF MUSIC premieres the Music Hall at Fair Park November 3-22, 2015, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. This lavish production will return and play Fort Worth at Bass Performance Hall August 17-21, 2016, presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth.

BEN DAVIS (Broadway’s VIOLET, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, LA BOHÈME) will play Captain Georg von Trapp and ASHLEY BROWN (Broadway’s MARY POPPINS, NBC’s The Sound of Music) will play The Mother Abbess with MERWIN FOARD as Max Detweiler, TERI DALE HANSEN as Elsa Schraeder, DAN TRACY as Rolf and PAIGE SILVESTER as Liesl. The von Trapp children will be played by ERICH SCHUETT (Friedrich), MARIA KNASEL (Louisa), QUINN ERICKSON (Kurt), SVEA JOHNSON (Brigitta), MACKENZIE CURRIE (Marta) and AUDREY BENNETT (Gretl).

And introducing Jack O’Brien’s brand new discovery, KERSTIN ANDERSON as Maria Rainer. A current student at Pace University, Ms. Anderson won the coveted role from hundreds who auditioned. This will be her first national tour.

“I’ve always believed Maria was a “star-making” part, rather than the leading role we remember from the movies; so I went looking for someone with star-making magic,” says director O’Brien. “And in through the audition door one day walked Kerstin Anderson, still studying at Pace University in New York. She opened her mouth, she sang and the tears welled up in my eyes. If ever there were an enchanting young woman standing on the brink of discovery — this was it! And now, the discovery is about to be all of ours!”

The ensemble includes Carey Rebecca Brown, Ron Brown, Caitlin Burke, Christopher Carl, Kyla Carter, Austin Colby, Daniella Dalli, Elisabeth Evans, Donna Garner, Meghan Hales, Adam Hill, Jenavene Hester, Jeremy Lanuti, Darren Matthias, Kelly McCormick, Julia Osborne, Andrea Ross, Brent Schindele and Jim Schubin.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. This new production is directed by Jack O’Brien (credits include: HAIRSPRAY, THE FULL MONTY, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, THE COAST OF UTOPIA), and choreographed by Danny Mefford (FUN HOME, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON). The design and production team is comprised of Douglas Schmidt, Set Design (Tony Award® nominee: 42ND STREET, INTO THE WOODS); Jane Greenwood, Costume Design (2014 recipient of Special Tony Award ® for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre), Natasha Katz, Lighting Design (Five-time Tony Award® winner: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, ONCE, AIDA, THE COAST OF UTOPIA, THE GLASS MENAGERIE) and Ken Travis, Sound Design (ALADDIN, NEWSIES, MEMPHIS).

According to director Jack O’Brien, “THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been in our ears for decades, as it deserves to be. But it might be time to look once more, and more closely, at this remarkable work which, I feel, begins to reveal itself as deeper, richer, and more powerful than ever. It’s no longer ‘your mother’s’ familiar SOUND OF MUSIC. We are tearing off the varnish of the past from one of the great glories of our theatergoing experience and making it fresh! This is an opportunity we’ve all longed to create!”

Producer Beth Williams (Grove Entertainment) said, “It’s a great privilege to bring this beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical to theaters across North America. We hope that people of all ages will continue to fall in love with it for the first time, or all over again, and that it will truly become one of their ‘favorite things.’ From our distinguished team led by the creative master Jack O’Brien, audiences can expect a truly magnificent production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.”

In the words of Ted Chapin, President of Rodgers & Hammerstein, “THE SOUND OF MUSIC continues to be the world’s most beloved musical. When a major national tour was suggested, I not only agreed, but was willing to roll up my sleeves and do whatever I could to fashion a new stage production that would re-engage today’s theatergoing public. The show was originally created for Broadway, and seeing it on stage only reinforces the power of the story and the score. And with Jack O’Brien at the directorial helm – well, we simply couldn’t do better. Landing somewhere between THE COAST OF UTOPIA and HAIRSPRAY (shows for which Jack won the Tony®), his production will be smart, focused, and surprising. I can’t wait.”

THE SOUND OF MUSIC enjoyed extraordinary success as the first live television production of a musical in over 50 years when “The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013; 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with such songs as “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC is part of Dallas Summer Musicals’ highly anticipated 2015-2016 Season. The new season will continue with ELF The Musical, December 8-20, 2015; THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, February 2-14, 2016; DSM’s production of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, March 11-27, 2016; WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016; RAGTIME, May 24 – June 5, 2016; BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, June 14-26, 2016; and closing the season will be 42ND STREET, June 28 – July 10, 2016.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ seven-show season tickets, starting at $134, are now on sale online at DallasSummerMusicals.org, in person at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 542 in Dallas or by phone at 214-346-3300. In addition, season ticket buyers have the option to add on WICKED, April 20 – May 22, 2016, to their season subscription for an 8-show package starting at $174.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount for all shows excluding WICKED where groups of 15 or more save on select performances. All groups receive priority seating and many more benefits. Please call 214-426-GROUP (4768) or email Groups@DallasSummerMusicals.org.

Performing Arts Fort Worth’s 2014-2015 Season will continue as follows: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Sept. 18-20; and KINKY BOOTS, Oct. 27-Nov. 1.

Performing Arts Fort Worth’s 2015-2016 Season kicks off with the Fort Worth debut of THE BOOK OF MORMON Dec. 1-6, 2015, followed by MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Jan. 13-17, 2016, Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID March 29-April 3, 2016, THE WIZARD OF OZ June 7-12, 2016, 42ND STREET July 12-17, 2016, THE SOUND OF MUSIC Aug. 17-21, 2016 and, closing out the season, the spectacular new production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Oct. 20-30, 2016.

Broadway at the Bass season tickets are on sale online at www.basshall.com, over the phone at 817-212-4280 and in person at the Bass Hall Box Office. Seven-show season ticket packages start at $275. For more information, call 817-212-4280 or visit www.basshall.com.

Dallas Summer Musicals and Performing Arts Fort Worth will co-present three of these titles: Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, 42ND STREET and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The shows will play in Dallas for two weeks, then head to Fort Worth for limited, one-week runs.

About Dallas Summer Musicals:
Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the preeminent nonprofit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education, and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and create important community programs. DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM provides positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, The Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. DSM’s High School Musical Theatre Awards are patterned after Broadway’s Tony® Awards and celebrates the power of the arts to significantly improve all areas of education. Hear Us Now!™ is DSM’s newest initiative. Since 2010 the experts at DSM have made significant changes and upgrades to its acoustical systems to improve the sound quality of the productions for all its patrons, including the hearing impaired. It is so unique that a trademark has been allowed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Coming this fall, Seats for Vets will serve war veterans and their families by providing them with a unique theatrical experience and thanking them for their service. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

Dallas Summer Musicals is presented by Texas Instruments and gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors and partners The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and The Original Cupcakery.

For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please call 214.421.5678 or visit our website at DallasSummerMusicals.org.

About Performing Arts Fort Worth:
Performing Arts Fort Worth, the nonprofit organization that oversees management of Bass Performance Hall, presents national Broadway touring product under the Broadway at the Bass banner. Bass Performance Hall is the crown jewel of a city which boasts the nation’s third largest cultural district. It is also an important symbol of one of the most successful downtown revitalization efforts in the country. The 2,056-seat multipurpose Hall is characteristic of the classic European opera house form. An 80-foot diameter Great Dome tops the Founders Concert Theater while two 48-foot tall angels grace the Grand Facade. Since the Hall opened in May 1998, the angels have become preeminent cultural icons of the Dallas-Fort Worth community. The Hall itself is renowned for its superb acoustics, exceptional sight lines and ambiance on level with the great halls of the world. Bass Performance Hall is located on a full city block encompassed by Commerce, Calhoun, 4th and 5th Streets in the historic Sundance Square district of downtown Fort Worth.

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Contact:

Francisco Chairez, Dallas Summer Musicals
(214) 413-3909 | fchairez@DallasSummerMusicals.org

Malcolm Mayhew, Performing Arts Fort Worth
(817) 212-4319 | mmayhew@basshall.com

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE
2014 – 2015 NATIONAL TOUR OF

Big League Productions is thrilled to announce casting for the 2014–2015 national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical. The beloved holiday movie will be brought to life on Broadway stages across the country. This sparkling new production will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park December 2-14.

The national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical will feature Evan Gray and Colton Maurer sharing the role of the bespectacled Ralphie Parker, with Max Thayer as Jean Shepherd, Christopher Swan as The Old Man, Susannah Jones as Mother, Cal Alexander as little brother Randy and Avital Asuleen as Miss Shields. The cast also includes Andrew Berlin, Christian Dell’Edera, Elizabeth Flanagan, Cole Hagen, Tierney Lee Howard, Seth Judice, Maria Knasel, Rico Lebron, Allison Maldonado, Lea Mancarella, Brooke Martino, Johnny Marx, Michael McClure, Deanna Ott, Charles Pang, Ellie Poon, Brandon Szep, Chris Van Vleet and Danny Wilfred.

Two area students, 12-year-old Grace Moore and 10-year-old Peyton Nicholson, were chosen by choreographer Jason Sparks at local auditions to appear in the ensemble for A Christmas Story, the Musical during its Dallas run.

A Christmas Story, The Musical chronicles young Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle (“You’ll shoot your eye out kid!”). An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Chock-full of delightful songs and splashy production numbers, with a heartwarming story set in the heartland of America, A Christmas Story, The Musical, has proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family.

A Christmas Story, The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2012 and was a critical and commercial success. The musical was nominated for three TONY Awards® including Best New Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical. The Associated Press called A Christmas Story, The Musical “a joyous Christmas miracle,” while The New York Times wrote “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.”

A Christmas Story, The Musical features a festive and nostalgic holiday themed score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with a book by Joseph Robinette, based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. The new national tour direction is by Matt Lenz with inspiration from the 2012 Broadway direction by TONY Award® winner John Rando. TONY Award® winner Warren Carlyle’s Broadway choreography is being recreated for the tour by Jason Sparks. Scenery, costumes, and lighting will be based on the 2012 Broadway designs by Walt Spangler, Elizabeth Hope Clancy, and Howell Binkley, with the new concepts for the national tour created by Mike Carnahan, Lisa Zinni, and Charlie Morrison respectively. The hounds will play themselves.

A Christmas Story, The Musical is produced by Big League Productions, Inc. Led by President and Executive Producer Daniel Sher, Big League is celebrating its 27th season of producing, general managing and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world. For more information visit www.bigleague.org.

Single tickets, starting at $25, are on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Preston Royal Shopping Center #542 in Dallas, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets are also available by calling 800-982-ARTS (2787), online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount and priority seating, and groups of 35 or more receive a 20% discount with two free tickets. Please call 214-426-GROUP (4768) or email groups@dallassummermusicals.org.

Dallas Summer Musicals 75^th Anniversary Year continues with KINKY BOOTS, February 24 – March 8, 2015; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I, March 20 – April 5, 2015; THE ILLUSIONISTS, April 7-19, 2015; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, June 9-21, 2015; DIRTY DANCING, June 23 – July 5, 2015; and still on Broadway PIPPIN, July 7-19, 2015.

The Presenting Sponsor for Dallas Summer Musicals is Texas Instruments. Season sponsors and partners are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and The Original Cupcakery.

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.

Please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org for a complete schedule of performances or more information about Dallas Summer Musicals.

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For media information, including production photos, interviews or reviewer passes, please contact Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or joannholt@gmail.com.

A Christmas Story, The Musical Cast Biographies:

EVAN GRAY (Ralphie) is very excited to be a part of A Christmas Story, The Musical. Favorite past credits include The Addams Family (Pugsley) and Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur).

COLTON MAURER (Ralphie) is honored to play the iconic role of Ralphie. His professional debut was in Oliver! (workhouse boy) at Paper Mill, where he also attends the conservatory. www.coltonmaurer.com.

MAX THAYER (Jean Shepherd) A military veteran, as well as a consummate veteran actor, he has appeared in many diverse productions from NYC to LA.

CHRISTOPHER SWAN (The Old Man) Most recently played Prof. Callahan in the original cast of LEGALLY BLONDE: The Musical on the NCL Getaway, and previously toured with DAMN YANKEES as Mr. Applegate. Other regional credits include Forever Plaid (TBPAC), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre-by-the-Sea), Little Shop of Horrors (American Stage), Angels in America (Arkansas Rep), and Clybourne Park (Hippodrome Theatre). Christopher holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory.

SUSANNAH JONES (Mother) New York City: Marvell Repertory, New Georges, NYC Fringe, New York Musical Theatre Festival, Planet Connections. Regional: Portland Shakespeare Project, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Stageworks/Hudson, Hudson Stage Company. Web Series: PLANT (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy LA Webfest 2014). www.susannahjones.info.

CAL ALEXANDER (Randy) is grateful for this opportunity to be in his second Broadway tour. He played the Small Boy in the Billy Elliot national/international tour.

AVITAL ASULEEN (Miss Shields) favorite credits include Mrs. Snoring Man in White Christmas (Westchester Broadway), Anytime Annie in 42nd Street (Surflight), and productions of Cabaret, On Your Toes, and No No Nanette.

THE 2013 TONY® AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA
ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CASTING FOR FIRST NATIONAL TOUR

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA Original Broadway Company

Producers of the Tony® Award winning musical Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman and Stephen Kocis, have announced additional casting for the First National Tour launching in Providence, RI at PPAC on October 10, 2014.

The touring production will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park June 9-21, moving the next week to be presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth at Bass Hall June 23-28.

Ready to sweep Cinderella off her feet, Andy Jones will play the role of Prince Topher. Andy was a member of the original Broadway company of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA and understudied the role of Prince Topher. He currently appears in Bullets Over Broadway The Musical.

The tour cast will also feature Kecia Lewis (Leap of Faith, The Drowsy Chaperone) as Marie, The Fairy Godmother, Blake Hammond (First Date, Sister Act) as Sebastian, Aymee Garcia (Shrek The Musical, Avenue Q) as Charlotte, Ashley Park (Mamma Mia!) as Gabrielle, David Andino (50 Shades! The Musical) as Jean-Michel and Antoine Smith (Memphis) as Lord Pinkerton.

Rounding out the ensemble are Adrien Arrieta, Adrian Badoo, Summer Broyhill, Audrey Cardwell, Jennifer Evans, Alexandra Frohlinger, Richard Gatta, Jordana Grolnick, Eric Anthony Johnson, Danielle Jordan, Bruce Landry, Ben Lanham, Stephanie Jae Park, Blakely Slaybough, Paige Williams, Thad Turner Wilson, John Yi and Alexandra Zorn.

It was previously announced Paige Faure, Broadway’s current reigning princess, will launch the tour in the title role this fall. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA combines the story’s classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn’t let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is directed by Mark Brokaw and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Music adaptation, supervision and arrangements are by David Chase and orchestrations are by Danny Troob.

One of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most popular titles, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA was written for television — debuting in 1957 starring Julie Andrews. In 2013, the show made its long-overdue Broadway debut. Along with CINDERELLA, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s legendary musicals include OKLAHOMA!, Carousel, The King and I, South Pacific and The Sound of Music.

Mr. Beane’s book for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA blends masterfully with the musical’s cherished score with songs including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”

The creative team includes scenic design by Tony® Award nominee Anna Louizos, costume design by six-time Tony® Award-winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony® Award-winner Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony® Award nominee Nevin Steinberg.

For more information please visit www.CinderellaMusicalOnTour.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/CinderellaTheMusical

Twitter: @CinderellaBway

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA Original Broadway Company

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The tour will be appearing in:

Providence, RI (Providence PAC)                                                          Oct. 10 – Oct. 18

Tampa, FL (Straz Center Center)                                                            Oct. 21 – Oct. 26

Miami, FL (Arsht Center)                                                                       Oct. 28 – Nov. 2

Charlotte NC (Blumenthal The Belk)                                                        Nov. 4 – Nov. 9

West Palm Beach, FL (Kravis Center)                                                    Nov. 11 – Nov. 16

Durham, NC (Durham PAC)                                                                   Nov. 18 – Nov. 23

Philadelphia, PA (Kimmel Center Academy of Music)                             Nov. 25 – Nov. 30

Buffalo, NY  (Shea’s PAC)                                                                     Dec. 2 – Dec. 7

Rochester, NY (RBTL Auditorium Theatre)                                              Dec. 9 – Dec. 14

Chicago, IL (Broadway in Chicago Cadillac Palace)                                Dec. 16 – Jan. 4

Cincinnati, OH (The Aranoff)                                                                 Jan. 6 – Jan. 18

St. Louis, MO (The Fox)                                                                        Jan. 20 – Feb. 1

Denver, CO (Denver Center The Buell)                                                    Feb. 3 – Feb. 15

Portland, OR (Keller Auditorium)                                                            Feb. 17 – Feb. 22

Seattle, WA (The Paramount)                                                                 Feb. 24 – Mar. 1

San Jose, CA (San Jose Center for the Performing Arts)                         Mar. 3 – Mar. 8

Tempe, AZ (ASU Gammage)                                                                 Mar. 10 – Mar. 15

Los Angeles, CA (CTG The Ahmanson)                                                 Mar. 17 – Apr. 26

Las Vegas, NV (The Smith Center)                                                         Apr. 28 – May 3

San Diego, CA (Nederlander Civic Center)                                              May 5 – May 10

Sacramento, CA (Community Center)                                                     May 12 – May 17

Houston, TX (Hobby Center)                                                                 May 26 – Jun. 7

Dallas, TX (Music Hall at Fair Park)                                                        Jun. 9 – Jun. 21

Fort Worth, TX (Bass Performance Hall)                                                Jun. 23 – Jun. 28

Des Moines, IA (Civic Center)                                                                Jul. 14 – Jul. 19

Cleveland, OH (Playhouse Square The Palace)                                       Jul. 21 – Aug. 2

Greenville, SC (Peace Center)                                                               Aug. 4 – Aug. 9

U.S. NATIONAL TOUR CASTING ANNOUNCED
FOR THE TONY AWARD-WINNING HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL

PIPPIN

TOUR LAUNCHES SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
AT DENVER’S BUELL THEATRE
www.PippinTheMusical.com

The producers of the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical PIPPIN are pleased to announce casting for the U.S. national tour which launches on September 10, 2014 at the Buell Theatre in Denver, CO. This all-new production of Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz’s PIPPIN is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus and features choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers).

The national tour of PIPPIN will be presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park July 7-19, 2015, during their 75^th anniversary year-long celebration.   For more information, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

The national tour will feature Sasha Allen (a finalist on the 4^th season on NBC’s “The Voice”) as Leading Player, Kyle Selig (The Book of Mormon on tour) as Pippin, Tony Award winner John Rubinstein (created the role of “Pippin” in the 1972 original Broadway production) as Charles, Sabrina Harper (Pippin, original Broadway Revival cast) as Fastrada and Kristine Reese (Wicked on tour) as Catherine. The company also includes Skyler Adams, Sascha Bachman, Bradley Benjamin, Dmitrious Bistrevsky, Mark Burrell, Mathew deGuzman, Fernando Dudka, Mirela Golinska, Kelsey Jamieson, Preston Jamieson, Lisa Karlin, Alan Kelly, Melodie Lamoreux, Tory Trowbridge, Mackenzie Warren and Borris York.

Additional casting, including the role of Berthe, will be announced soon.

With a book by Roger O. Hirson and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, PIPPIN featuresmusic supervision and arrangements by Nadia DiGiallonardo, orchestrations by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman, scenic design by Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by Tony Award nominee Dominique Lemieux, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Award nominees Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm.

PIPPIN tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory? The show is noted for many Broadway standards including “Magic To Do,” “Corner of the Sky,” “Glory,” “No Time at All,” “Morning Glow,” and “Love Song.”

The original production of PIPPIN, directed by Bob Fosse, premiered on Broadway in 1972. It won five Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, and ran for close to 2000 performances before closing in 1977. This production of PIPPIN debuted at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) in Cambridge, MA where it ran December 5, 2012 to January 20, 2013. It opened on Broadway on April 25, 2013 and went on to win four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical. This production also received Best Revival of a Musical honors from the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League. The New Broadway Cast Recording for PIPPIN is available on Ghostlight Records.

Barry & Fran Weissler and Howard & Janet Kagan present the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) production of PIPPIN with Lisa Matlin, Kyodo Tokyo, A&A Gordon/Brunish Trinchero, Tom Smedes/Peter Stern, Broadway Across America, Independent Presenters Network, Norton Herrick, Allen Spivak, Rebecca Gold, Joshua Goodman, Steve McManus, David Robbins/Bryan S. Weingarten, Philip Hagemann/Murray Rosenthal, Jim Kierstead/Carlos Arana/Myla Lerner, Hugh Hayes/Jamie Cesa/Jonathan Reinis, Sharon A. Carr/Patricia R. Klausner, Ben Feldman, Square 1 Theatrics, Wendy Federman/Carl Moellenberg, Bruce Robert Harris/Jack W. Batman, Infinity Theatre Company/Michael Rubenstein, Michael A. Alden/Dale Badway/Ken Mahoney.
Join us… for this magical, unforgettable production the New York Times declared “Astonishing!  A PIPPIN for the 21st Century.”

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For more information, visit www.PippinTheMusical.com

Follow PIPPIN on Twitter: @PippinMusical or on Facebook.

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

Casting Announced for
Disney’s THE LION KING
Broadway’s Award-Winning Best Musical

Dallas’ Limited Return Engagement Plays
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 To SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013
at THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

(Dallas, TX)—Casting has been announced for the Dallas engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING.  Dallas’ most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Music Hall at Fair Park stage from Wednesday, October 2 to Sunday, October 20.  The press opening night is Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m.  The show’s previous two engagement in 2002 and 2007 played sold-out runs at the Music Hall.

The production features Patrick R. Brown as “Scar”, L. Steven Taylor as “Mufasa”, Tshidi Manye as “Rafiki”, Andrew Gorell as “Zazu”, Ben Lipitz as “Pumbaa”, Nick Cordileone as “Timon”, Jelani Remy as “Simba”, Nia Holloway as “Nala”, Keith Bennett as “Banzai”, Rashada Dawan as “Shenzi” and Robbie Swift as “Ed.”

The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Jordan Hall and Nathaniel McIntyre and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Nya Carter and Zyasia Page.

In Dallas, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and weekend and select Thursday matinees at 1:30 p.m.  Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are available at the DSM Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #5642 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or via the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com.  Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling 214-426-GROUP (4768).

The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date.  Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its Dallas and North Texas return at the Music Hall at Fair Park.  The current schedule is listed below.

Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 3, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 4, 7:30 p.m. Press Opening

Saturday, October 5, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 6, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Monday, October 7, Dark

Tuesday, October 8, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 9, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 10, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 11, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 12, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 13, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Monday, October 14, Dark

Tuesday, October 15, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 16, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 18, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 19, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 20, 1:30 p.m. last performance

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 16^th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant; it is the highest-grossing show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.  Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 21 global productions have been seen by more than 70 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 104 years.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years.  Translated into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour across North America, in Tokyo and on tour in Japan, in London’s West End and on tour throughout the UK, and in Hamburg, Madrid and Sao Paolo.  To date, THE LION KING has played 98 cities in 17 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

Among the most successful titles in entertainment history, with a cumulative gross in excess of $5 billion, the stage production of THE LION KING has already earned more than the biggest hit films in movie history: more than the Lord of the Rings trilogy combined, more than the six Star Wars films combined, and more than Avatar and Titanic, the two highest-grossing films in movie history, combined.

The award-winning musical will celebrate a new milestone in December 2013 when it returns to Australia, making it the tenth concurrent worldwide production of THE LION KING, the highest number of productions running at any one time in the show’s history.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony^® Awards:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical.  THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success.  The first woman to win a Tony^® Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show in Las Vegas, Madrid and the UK tour and just completed casting the Brazilian production in Sao Paolo.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.  Other members of the creative team include:  Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

The Dallas engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with Dallas Summer Musicals,and is a subscription offering of the DSM 2013 season.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH AUGUST 2014:

Charlotte – Belk Theater

August 6 – September 1, 2013

Pittsburgh – Benedum Center

September 3 – 29, 2013

Dallas – Music Hall at Fair Park

October 2 – 20, 2013

Tempe – ASU Gammage Auditorium

October 22 – November 17, 2013

Los Angeles – Pantages Theatre

November 20, 2013 – January 12, 2014

Honolulu – Blaisdell Concert Hall

January 14 – March 9, 2014

Seattle – Paramount Theatre

March 11 – April 6, 2014

Atlanta – The Fox Theatre

April 10 – 27, 2014

Toronto – Princess of Wales Theatre

April 30 – June 15, 2014

Washington, D.C. – Kennedy Center Opera House

June 17 – August 17, 2014

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Local Press Representative:
Jo Ann Holt,  joannholt@gmail.com or 469-363-7371

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^th Anniversary,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.

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.

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),

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

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.

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.

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 LosAngeles Film Festival and was released by Magnolia Pictures in 2007; Save Me, which premiered at the2007 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the US 2008. Robert is also the director and co-writerof Anything But Love, starring Andrew McCarthy, Isabel Rose and Eartha Kitt, released by SamuelGoldwynin 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.

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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SISTER ACT, coming to Dallas Summer Musicals June 4 – 16, 2013 at Music Hall at Fair Park!

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR LAUNCHES IN TORONTO
PERFORMANCES BEGIN OCTOBER 2, 2012

Producers Whoopi Goldberg, Stage Entertainment and Troika Entertainment announce casting for the North American Tour of five-time Tony Award® nominated musical SISTER ACT.  Called “In a word, DIVINE!”by the Associated Press, SISTER ACT kicks off on October 2, 2012 at Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre.

The North American Tour of SISTER ACT will star Ta’Rea Campbell (Book of Mormon, Lion King) as Deloris Van Cartier, Hollis Resnik (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Les Miserables) as Mother Superior, Kingsley Leggs (Sister Act, The Color Purple) as Curtis Jackson, E. Clayton Cornelious (Wonderland, The Scottsboro Boys) as Eddie Souther, Lael Van Keuren (Sister Act) as Mary Robert, Florrie Bagel as Mary Patrick, Diane J. Findlay (42^nd Street, Promises, Promises) as Mary Lazarus, Todd A. Horman (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Joey, Ernie Pruneda (Sister Act)as Pablo, Charles Barksdale (Fat Camp) as TJ, and Richard Pruitt (42nd Street, White Christmas) as Monsignor O’Hara.

The company will also include Melvin Abston, Brian Calì, Alysha Deslorieux, Karen Elliott, Danny George, Blair Goldberg, Erin Henry, Wendy James, Trisha Jeffrey, Mary Jo McConnell, Ashley Moniz, Michelle Rombola, Jason Simon, Angie Marie Smith, Tricia Tanguy, Kelly E. Waters, and Dashaun Young.

“To hear people laugh and cheer the way they do at SISTER ACT — a show people think they know but are pleasantly surprised to discover is not what they were expecting — is a magical experience for a producer,” says Producer Whoopi Goldberg.  “Happily, audiences across the country will be able to get in on the fun this fall when Deloris and her fabulous sisters start spreading the love nationwide.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of the creative team and cast members that have made SISTER ACT such a critically-acclaimed and crowd-pleasing success on Broadway,” said Stage Entertainment U.S. CEO Bill Taylor.  “Our New York audiences have been absolutely amazing and I look forward to this fall’s tour and the next chapter in SISTER ACT’s wonderfully successful life.”

The North American touring production of SISTER ACT will kick off on October 2, 2012 in Toronto, ON where it will play through November 4.  Other venues for the tour include Chicago, IL (November 13-December 2, 2012); Orlando, FL (December 4-9, 2012); Tampa Bay, FL (December 11-16, 2012); Fort Lauderdale, FL (December 18-30, 2012); Naples, FL (January 1-6, 2013); Charlotte, NC (January 8-13, 2013); Greenville, SC (January 15-20, 2013); Boston, MA (January 22-February 3, 2013); Pittsburgh, PA (February 5-10, 2013); East Lansing, MI (February 12-17, 2013); Milwaukee, WI (February 19-24, 2013); Indianapolis, IN (February 26-March 3, 2013); Cleveland, OH (March 5-17, 2013); Buffalo, NY (March 19-24, 2013); Philadelphia, PA (April 2-7, 2013); Providence, RI (April 9-14, 2013); Hartford, CT (April 16-21, 2013); Atlanta, GA (April 23-28, 2013); Cincinnati, OH (April 30-May 12, 2013); Durham, NC (May 14-19, 2013); Houston, TX (May 28-June 2, 2013); Dallas, TX (June 4-16, 2013); Fort Worth, TX (June 18-23, 2013); Tempe, AZ (June 25-30, 2013); Los Angeles, CA (July 9-28, 2013); San Diego, CA (July 30-August 4, 2013); Costa Mesa, CA (August 6-18, 2013); Seattle, WA (August 20-25); Denver, CO (September 24-October 6, 2013) and more soon to be announced.

SISTER ACT received five 2011 Tony® Award nominations: BEST MUSICAL, BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (Alan Menken (music)/ Glenn Slater (lyrics), BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL (Cheri & Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane), BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (Patina Miller) and BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (Victoria Clark).

SISTER ACT features an original score with music by multi-Academy, Grammy, Tony and Golden Globe Award-winning composer Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Enchanted), lyrics by Tony and Academy Award-nominee Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid), and a book by multi-Emmy Award winners Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (“Cheers”) with additional book material by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed). Directed on Broadway by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks (Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing…Forum, Smokey Joe’s Café), the production features choreography by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia, Bombay Dreams) and is based on the Touchstone Pictures motion picture Sister Act written by Joseph Howard.

SISTER ACT opened on April 20, 2011 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) to rave reviews.  Elisabeth Vincentelli of The New York Post calls SISTER ACT, “One of the season’s happiest surprises! Off the charts and packed with goodies, to which we say: Amen!” Joe Dziemianowicz of The New York Daily News raves “A blessed event has landed on Broadway. Sister Act is a feel-good crowd pleaser worth celebrating. It keeps on purring from one happy moment to the next.”  Charles Isherwood of The New York Times says, “When the wimples start quivering and the nuns start rocking to raise the Gothic rafters, all’s right in the kingdom of musical comedy!” and Mark Kennedy of The Associated Press calls SISTER ACT, “In a word, divine. This is a musical that hits all the right spots, achieving something close to Broadway grace. It will convert you.”

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place cops are sure she won’t be found – a convent!  Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior.  Using her fabulous disco-ness and killer voice to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church, but in doing so blows her cover.  Soon it’s nun-on-the-run time but she finds salvation in the heavenly power of her newly found sisterhood.  Based on the mega-hit feature film, SISTER ACT features an original Alan Menken/Glenn Slater score with a vast inspiration of musical styles from Motown, soul and funk to great big disco anthems and Barry White inspired musical comedy.

SISTER ACT features scenery by Klara Zieglerova, costumes by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Ken Travis and hair/wig designs by David Brian Brown.  The music department includes Musical Supervisor Michael Kosarin, Music Director Brent-Alan Huffman, and orchestrations by Doug Besterman. Casting is by Telsey + Company, Craig Burns CSA.

www.sisteractontour.com

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WHOOPI GOLDBERG (Producer) is among the most well-known performers around the world. She shot to international fame with her Oscar-nominated performance in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, before embarking on a prolific Hollywood career with films such as Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Soapdish, The Lion King, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and, of course, Sister Act and its sequel. She has had success in virtually every area of entertainment, from film and television, to stage and recording, to radio host and best-selling author. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Ghost in 1991 and is one of a very elite group of artists who has also won the Grammy, the Golden Globe, the Emmy and, as Producer of the original Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002, a Tony Award. She is currently moderator of the award-winning daytime talk show The View on ABC.

STAGE ENTERTAINMENT USA Inc. (Producer) Founded in 1998 by Joop van den Ende, Stage Entertainment is one of the world’s largest theatrical producers with bases in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Russia, Italy and the USA, and the owner of thirty venues across those countries.  Stage Entertainment employs over 4,000 people worldwide and over 10 million people visit a Stage Entertainment production or performance space each year.

Headed by Bill Taylor, Stage Entertainment’s US team recently produced the hit musical, SISTER ACT, on Broadway.  SISTER ACT received five 2011 Tony® Award nominations and rave reviews.  Stage Entertainment US is currently producing SISTER ACT on tour in the US and has several other new projects in development for Broadway and the road.

TROIKA ENTERTAINMENT (Producer) has been the innovator in touring musical theater productions for over two decades, producing shows throughout North America and the world. Each season, Troika tours to hundreds of cities across the U.S. and Canada. In addition, Troika produced in European markets including Russia, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Central/South American and Caribbean credits include touring CATS in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.  As the first U.S. production company to tour a musical in Mainland China, Troika has toured extensively across the Pacific Rim in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, with productions of The Sound of Music, Swing!, 42nd Street and Chicago. The company is experienced in casino and leisure markets having produced for The Wynn, Caesars, Grand Casino, Hilton, Eldorado and Harrah’s (Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Lake Tahoe and Branson). Current and upcoming productions include West Side Story, Catch Me if You Can, Sister Act, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Shear Madness and The Wizard of Oz. With strong ties to the Broadway community, Troika prides itself on delivering top quality productions to audiences worldwide.

Coming to Dallas Summer Musicals February 12-24, 2013!

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
ANNOUNCES NATIONAL TOUR CAST

Troika Entertainment, LLC is pleased to announce initial casting for the CATCH ME IF YOU CAN national tour, which officially kicks off at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI on October 7. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN will be in Dallas February 12-24, 2013 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals.

The charming, high-flying con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. will be played by Stephen Anthony and Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent who is always on Frank’s tracks, will be played by Merritt David Janes. Additional casting includes Aubrey Mae Davis as Brenda Strong, Caitlin Maloney as Paula Abagnale, Amy Burgmaieras Carol Strong, D. Scott Withers as Roger Strong, Travis Mitchellas Agent Branton, Ben Laxton as Agent Dollar, Derrick Parks as Agent Cod, Amanda Braun, Ashley Chasteen, Taylor Collins, Vanessa Dunleavy, Michael Graceffa, Colleen Hayes, Mary Claire King, Trevor Leaderbrand, Casey Renee Rogers, Daniel J. Self, Allyson Tolbert, Nadia Vynnytsky and Bradley Allan Zarr.

Additional casting will be released at a later date.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film, 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 the book and 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 creativeteam, 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 byTony Award winner Kenneth Posner (Wicked) and sound design is by Peter McBoyle.

For more information visit www.CatchMeOnTour.com

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN TOUR CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Stephen Anthony as Frank Abagnale Jr.

STEPHEN ANTHONY (Frank Abagnale, Jr.) is thrilled to be touring the country for the first time with this incredible story. Favorite credits include: Lend Me a Tenor (Max), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Hairspray (Link), Legally Blonde (Warner), The 25th…Spelling Bee (Chip), Carousel (Mr. Snow, concert featuring Davis Gaines). B.M. 2012 from FSU. Many thanks to family, MT’12, Troika, and Joy Dewing Casting.

Merritt David Janes as Carl Hanratty

MERRITT DAVID JANES (Carl Hanratty) A UMaine and Circle in the Square graduate originally from Colchester, VT. Broadway National Tours: Sweeney Todd (Sweeney), Shrek (Farquaad), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hard). Regional: Little Shop… (The Dentist), Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Duke), Grease (Danny), Works of Shakespeare Abridged (Adam). Janes has also given performances at Carnegie Hall, Bway’s Beacon Theatre and the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

AUBREY MAE DAVIS (Brenda Strong) is beyond thrilled to be embarking on her fourth national tour with Catch Me! Favorite credits include: Legally Blonde (Margot), Hairspray (Amber), and Little Shop (Audrey). A special thanks to Matt Lenz for this wonderful opportunity. And to my family, I love you.

CAITLIN MALONEY (Paula Abagnale) Off Broadway: I Married Wyatt Earp, Tours: Young Frankenstein, The Great American Trailer Park Musical! (Pickles) Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Wizard of Oz (Glinda/Aunt Em). Regional: Annie Get Your Gun! (Annie Oakley), Pajama Game (Babe Williams), Eleanor: An American Love Story (Eleanor Roosevelt).

AMY BURGMAIER (Carol Strong/Principal Owings/Character Woman) favorite credits include: Legally Blonde (Paulette), Reefer Madness (Mary Lane), Chicago (Roxie), Hairspray (F.A.F.) and Forbidden Broadway. She’s an Iowa State University graduate in advertising and design (BA) and journalism (MS). Sincerest gratitude to Joy Dewing Casting, coaches and family!

D. SCOTT WITHERS (Roger Strong/Character Man/u/s Agent Carl Hanratty/Frank Abagnale, Sr.) National tour debut! Regional: Gypsy (Phoenix Theatre); Hairspray (Arkansas Rep); Baby (AZ Broadway); Lyle the Crocodile (Childsplay); Frog and Toad (Seattle Children’s Theatre); Lost and Foundling (Geva). BFA Theatre: AZ State. Much love to Withers clan, CP family and AJP!

TRAVIS MITCHELL (Agent Branton/ u/s Agent Carl Hanratty/ u/s Frank Sr. / u/s Roger Strong) National tours: Spring Awakening. Off Broadway: The Bus (59E59 Theatre). Recent Regional: Spring Awakening (ReVision), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Sound of Music (TriArts). TV: Law & Order, As the World Turns. Much love and respect to Jules.

BEN LAXTON (Agent Dollar/u/s Frank Abagnale, Jr.) is thrilled to be joining his first national tour! Regional: Next to Normal (Gabe), Spring Awakening (Melchior), Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod), Sound of Music (Rolf) and Urinetown (Bobby). Thanks Mom, Dad, Tori, Andrea, Mrs. Halbert and Sham. Proud Belmont University alum.

DERRICK PARKS (Agent Cod) is making his debut in Catch Me If You Can. Recently he traveled abroad as a performer with Royal Caribbean International. His parents and family are credited with exceedingly abundant love and support.

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