Press Club of Dallas Names Michael A. Jenkins 2014 Newsmaker of the Year

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Press Club of Dallas Names Michael A. Jenkins 2014 Newsmaker of the Year

Dallas, TX…The Press Club of Dallas will present the 2014 Newsmaker of the Year Award to Michael A. Jenkins celebrating his international reputation as a theatre visionary, Dallas Summer Musicals producer, world-wide theme park developer, and Broadway impresario. This exciting evening of music and tributes brings together theatre legends, friends and colleagues to pay homage to Jenkins’ vigorous, creative leadership as DSM enters its 75th year of entertaining Dallas with extraordinary musical theatre.

The Tribute gala will be held at the Music Hall at Fair Park Thursday, November 13 starting at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event, featuring performances by such Broadway stars as Cathy Rigby and Rachel York, are officially sold out.

Belo Distinguished Chair in Journalism at Southern Methodist University Tony Pederson, immediate past president of the Press Club, said, “The Press Club of Dallas is pleased to honor Michael A. Jenkins as Newsmaker of the Year 2014 for his outstanding and lifelong contributions to the performing arts, his leadership of Dallas Summer Musicals, and his award-winning producing ability. Michael has brought national acclaim through his dedication to philanthropy and education of young people in the arts, and for serving as an exemplary citizen of the City of Dallas.”

Press Club of Dallas committee members are thrilled with the generous support received for the November 13th “Playbills, Popcorn and the Press” fundraiser. KLUV Radio’s Jody Dean will emcee the gala and tributes are expected from such dignitaries as Baylor College President Judge Kenneth Starr. Honorary Chairmen are Chuck and Cindy Gummer, and Pat Porter is chairing the event.

Underwriters for the event are The Ruth C. and Charles S. Sharp Foundation, Inc., Ruth and Ken Altshuler, and Cindy and Chuck Gummer, honorary chairs. Donors include Joel and Diane Allison, The Bartner Family Foundation, Lucy and Henry Billingsley, Gene and Kathryne Bishop, The Bozman Family, Mrs. Sis Carr, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dr. Gary and Sheila Cook, Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Cooper, Dolorie and Paul Corley, Cottrell Foundation, Peggy Dear, Earth Day Texas, Dr. Jack and Deb Graham, Rick and Donna Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Ron W. Haddock, Dr. and Mrs. O.S. Hawkins, Andy Horner, Caroline Rose Hunt, Dr. Robert and Amy Jeffress, Gemey and Mickey Kaliff, Mark and Patty Lavvorn, Sara and David Martineau, Dr. and Mrs. John McCoy, Jr., Lester and Cynthia Melnick, Jim and Barbara Moroney, William H. Pitt Foundation, Jack Pogue, Marjorie Purnell, Billie Leigh Rippey, Ken and Marilyn Sandstad, Carol and Don Spies, and Steve and Sandy Watson.

The Michael A. Jenkins Tribute Host Committee members are Cindy and Chuck Gummer, Honorary Chairs; Joel and Diane Allison; Ed and Donna Bratton; Dr. Gary and Sheila Cook; Dr. and Mrs. Ken Cooper; Paul and Dolorie Corley; Dr. Jack and Deb Graham; Dr. O.S. and Susie Hawkins; Andy Horner; Dr. Robert and Amy Jeffress; Mark and Patty Lovvorn; Steve and Jennifer Metzger; Jim and Barbara Moroney; Jack Pogue; Rick and Susan Rogers; Ken Sanstead; Carol and Don Spies; Judge Ken and Alice Starr; and Steve and Sandy Watson.

The Tribute committee members are Pat Porter, Chair; April Bosworth (Events and Florals); Cindy and Chuck Gummer; Phyllis Hammond; Jo Ann Holt; Paulette Hopkins; Wendy Jenkins; Brian Mayes; Liz Oliphant; Tony Pederson; and Sandy Watson.

The mission and purpose of the Press Club of Dallas is to initiate, promote, foster and provide for cultural, literary, educational and social activities and undertakings in the field of journalism and related professions.

Chartered by the state of Texas in 1951, the Club received its nonprofit 501 (c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service in 2012.

The Club has a tradition of service to its members and the community through its longstanding programs, including providing college scholarships to aspiring journalists. Four North Texas students are currently receiving scholarships.

In addition to scholarships, the Club offers networking and professional development opportunities through programs and workshops, forums on news-making topics, book signings and actively supports the First Amendment and the public’s right to know. The Club helps the public understand the historic and current roles of journalism and its emerging and evolving forms of delivery.

The Press Club has members from all major news media in North Texas plus professionals in advertising, public relations, corporate communications and various genres of digital media. The Press Club’s goal is to support truth, trust and transparency in journalism and all communications.

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Media Contact: Jo Ann Holt
joannholt@gmail.com or 469-363-7371

FROM THE BACK ROW: She's Flying!

Hey DSM Fans!

Yesterday, Luke and I were given the chance to take part in PETER PAN media day here at the Music Hall at Fair Park!   We got to interview cast members and watch as Cathy Rigby gave flying lessons to a few lucky people, including our very own: Michael Jenkins.  

Michael Jenkins & Cathy Rigby

We found out that Emily Emmett (named Best Actress at DSM’s High School Musical Theatre Awards) grew up watching the video of Cathy Rigby as PETER PAN, and she has also played Peter.  Needless to say, she is a huge fan of both the show and Cathy.  So what did we do?  We invited her to hang out with us for the day!

Luke, Emily & Haley

After finishing our cast interviews [Coming Soon!], we headed for the theater to take in some good, old-fashioned flying lessons.  As we opened the theater doors, a starry blue sky expanded across our horizon.  The sight caused Emily to squeak, “Oh my gosh! Stars!” as she hurried through the doorway.  Inside, Cathy was teaching a few of our local news anchors how to soar high above the stage.  Following her instruction to “think lovely thoughts,” and a shower of fairy dust, they were hoisted into the air in a quick fluid motion.  It seems the secret to flying as gracefully as Cathy is remembering to arch your back. – For those of you who plan on flying to Neverland in the near future…

Between lessons, Cathy moved to the opposite side of the stage for interviews.  My ears perked up when I heard her mention the DSM High School Musical Theater Awards.  (Back in May, Cathy presented Emily with the award for Best Actress.) Emily and I inched closer and closer until we were leaning against the orchestra pit, intently listening and a little in awe of our proximity to the  Tony Award® nominee.

Eventually, I was told to “take Emily up there!”  Onstage, we shuffled through a pile of fairy dust, took a closer look at the flying system’s ropes and pulleys, and Emily gave her best PETER PAN pose for a photo.  Next thing I know, Cathy is waving her over! They stood arm in arm as Cathy showered her with praise and told bystanders that she’s glad she didn’t have to compete with someone as talented as Emily is.  Emily answered with a very astonished “thank you,” and then voiced her mutual admiration.

Emily and Cathy Rigby

Emily and Cathy Rigby

Much to everyone’s surprise, Cathy gave an impromptu demonstration of Peter Pan’s audience fly-over.  In a flash, she launched into the air.  As my eyes followed a sparkling rain of fairy dust from Cathy, down to the empty seats, I discovered Emily- alone in the center of the downpour- with her palms up, eyes squinting at the sky, and a smile that could outshine Tinker Bell any day.

-DSM Haley

 

Peter Pan Flies Into Dallas!

CATHY RIGBY IS PETER PAN!
THE ULTIMATE FAMILY EXPERIENCE
PRESENTED BY DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

Dallas, TX…Tony® Award nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in an all new production of PETER PAN!

Discover the magic all over again of this two time Emmy Award winning and two-time Tony® Award nominated production, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the Music Hall at Fair Park July 10-22, 2012.

PETER PAN is a unique, family friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy. The thrill of flying, timeless magical moments and a captivating hook will mesmerize young and old alike. The legend you thought you know, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible…Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN!

Broadway star Brent Barrett (Annie Get Your Gun, Dance a Little Closer, Grand Hotel, Candide, Brigadoon, and West Side Story) and Kim Crosby (Cinderella in the original Into the Woods) will play Mr. Darling/Captain Hook and Mrs. Darling, respectively, in the new national tour of the musical PETER PAN starring Cathy Rigby.

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

PETER PAN is produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Nederlander Presentations, Albert Nocciolino in association with Larry Earl Payton, Michael Filerman, Heni Koenigsberg and La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts.  Direction by Glenn Casale who directed the 1999 Tony® Award nominated and Emmy winning PETER PAN starring Cathy Rigby.  Mr. Casale has been a resident at the California Musical Theatre for almost 23 seasons where he has directed over 550 shows.

The flying sequence choreographer is Paul Rubin, “The Fly Guy“, has choreographed some of the most memorable flying sequences from the Tony® Award winning Broadway production of Wicked to Cathy Rigby’s Emmy Award winning DVD of PETER PAN.   The creative team includes Patti Columbo (Choreographer), Keith Levenson (Musical Director), Michael Gilliam (Lighting Design), Julie Ferrin (Sound Design), Sean Boyd (Fight Director) and Julia Flores (Casting Director).

McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (Tom McCoy & Cathy Rigby – Executive Producers) Tom McCoy and Cathy Rigby are beginning their 17th season as Executive Producers of the McCoy Rigby Entertainment Series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.  Since the 1994/95 Season, McCoy Rigby has produced over 75 plays, musicals, concerts, dramas, and comedies. MRE has also produced several Broadway productions and National Tours including PETER PAN, Seussical the Musical both starring Cathy Rigby, Jesus Christ Superstar starring Carl Anderson, Camelot formerly starring Michael York and through 2008, starring Lou Diamond Phillips, and Happy Days, The Musical.

Since 1990, PETER PAN starring Cathy Rigby has made four stops on Broadway, garnering four Tony® Nominations including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical.  Other credits include the A&E Television Network Premiere of “PETER PAN,” which received 4 Emmy Award Nominations and one Emmy Award; “The Historic All Star Concert for Pope John Paul II” at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and the award-winning documentary on balancing wellness, titled “Faces of Recovery.”

“PETER PAN sparkles with fairy dust!  Rigby has mastered the boy who wouldn’t grow up.” – Washington Post.

http://cathyrigbyispeterpan.com/

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

DSM 2012 season shows continue with THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY, October 2-21, 2012.  For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals and the 2012 season, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

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