Dallas Loves Flashdance!

Hey DSM and FLASHDANCE fans!

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

VIDEOS/INTERVIEWS/PHOTOS

Ron chats with the stars of Flashdance: Click here for the video.

Teresa Frosini from CBS 11 stopped by the Music Hall! Click here for the video.

Colleen Coyle goes all out for Flashdance: Click here for the preview photos. Video coming soon!

DeQuina, Kelly, and Haley from the Flashdance cast cat with D The Broadcast: Click here for the video.

Fox 4 Performance: Click here for the video.

REVIEWS

The Flash List: Click here for review.

John Garcia’s The Column: Click here for review.

EDGEDallas: Click here for review.

Oh So Cynthia: Click here for review.

TheaterJones: Click here for review.

The Dallas Morning News: Click here for review.

The Herald Democrat: Click here for review.

White Rock Weekly: Click here for review.

Flashdance US National Tour comes to Dallas!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Creative Bios:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DSM is the largest producer and presenter of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theatre organization in the United States, and the fourth largest non-profit theatre company. In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours productions, and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.

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

# # #

For media information about any of the individual shows or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 214-413-3977, or email joannholt@gmail.com.

Cast Announced for Flashdance The Musical!

EMILY PADGETT, MATTHEW HYDZIK
& RACHELLE RAK

TO STAR IN THE WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF

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

TOUR ROUTE ANNOUNCED THROUGH AUGUST 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Official Press Release – DSM Announces the 2013 Season!

DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS ANNOUNCES 2013 SEASON
OF THE BEST OF BROADWAY AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) has announced their 73rd season of shows, with seven touring Broadway productions coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in professional live theatrical entertainment since 1941.

In announcing the new season, Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals, said, “Our 73^rd season provides a Destination to unparalleled entertainment with the unprecedented number of three Blockbuster hit shows within the season schedule, in which all shows are direct from Broadway. With DSM’s affordable prices, this means our subscribers will enjoy an unbeatable entertainment value in 2013.”

DSM 2013 SEASON AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, February 12-24, 2013. Based on the hit Dreamworks Film and the incredible true story that inspired it, Catch Me If You Can is the high-flying, splashy new Broadway musical that tells the story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer—living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end—and finds something he never expected. A big-hearted musical adventure based on an astonishing real-life story of being young, in love, and in deep, deep trouble.

Disney and CAMERON MACKINTOSH present MARY POPPINS, March 20-30, 2013. Returning to Dallas for two weeks only, the “roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza!” as proclaimed by the New York Daily News, features an irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time. With brand-new breathtaking dance numbers and spectacular stage-craft, MARY POPPINS is everything you could ever want in a hit Broadway show. Get swept up in the fun of this high-flying musical the New York Post gave four out of four stars, calling it “a certifiable super hit!”

WICKED, THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WITCHES OF OZ, April 10-May 5, 2013. So much happened before Dorothy dropped in! Variety calls WICKED “a cultural phenomenon,” and it has broken box office records and sold out every time it has played Dallas. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster,” according to The New York Times. Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One—born with emerald green skin—is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for “the most complete—and completely satisfying—new musical in a long time.” (USA Today).

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE MUSICAL, May 14-26, 2013. Presenting the most outrageously fun Broadway musical, a spectacular show that tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends on a road trip of a lifetime. Hopping aboard a battered old bus in search of love and friendship in the middle of the Australian Outback, they end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. An international hit with over 500 dazzling, Tony® Award-winning costumes, PRISCILLA features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “Finally” and “I Will Survive.” The Hollywood Reporter calls PRISCILLA “funny and fabulous! Joyous entertainment with eye-popping visuals and unexpected heart!”

SISTER ACT, A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY, June 4-16, 2013. Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash, called by The New York Post “Ridiculously Fun,” has audiences jumping to their feet in total agreement. Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, SISTER ACT is reason to rejoice.

FLASHDANCE, THE MUSICAL, June 25-July 7, 2013. The pop-culture phenomenon and runaway international success is now live on stage. It all started with a dream. To be bigger. To burn brighter. To dance harder. Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, The Addams Family), this new musical features a score of smash hits including The Academy Award® winning title track “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “I Love Rock & Roll,” and 16 new original songs. Experience the magic all over again, as FLASHDANCE leaves you begging for more.

Disney presents THE LION KING, October 2-20, 2013. Experience the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, Broadway’s Landmark Musical. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you’ll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.” Let your imagination run wild at the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls “a landmark event in entertainment.” THE LION KING will be the 2013 State Fair of Texas musical.

Season tickets, priced from $125-$710, go on sale Tuesday, August 28 at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in Dallas. Subscribers may order by mail or in person at The Box Office, by phoning 214-346-3300, by faxing 214-691-7386, or online at www.dallassummermusicals.org. For groups, please call 214-426-GROUP.

Season subscribers enjoy such benefits as first opportunity to get the best seats available for the season, plus huge savings over single ticket prices and easy payment plans, lost ticket replacement, ticket exchange privileges and a 20% discount on all DSM logo merchandise. Plus, season subscribers have first option on their seats for the following season, and can save significant amounts over the cost of single tickets.

DSM will continue its 73-year tradition of bringing the Best of Broadway to North Texas, setting the standard in musical theatre entertainment. DSM’s 2014 season will begin in December, 2013, with Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS at the Music Hall.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals are The Dallas Morning News, Metro PCS, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and Texas Instruments.

As a 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 theater, 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 theater arts training and scholarships to talented students in need. Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors. Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible.

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

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