DSM Cast Boxes

Hey DSM Fans!

If you wander around the Music Hall here at Fair Park, eventually you’ll come across some delicately lit display cases; and for a musical lover like myself, approaching these shiny beacons of light in the middle of a dim hallway is like discovering a glittering piece of treasure.  Each case features a unique show-themed art piece called the Cast Box.

In 1994, Dallas Summer Musicals developed a new method of theatrical folk art in the form of these Cast Boxes.  Inspired by the tradition of the “Gypsy Robe,” a memorabilia-covered robe created to honor Broadway’s seasoned chorus members, the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild wanted to immortalize each production held at the Music Hall.  To set this idea into motion, raw materials and suggestions were sent to the then Dallas bound production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.  The final product surpassed all expectations, and it remains a dazzling, detailed symbol of the show.

Today, cast members are given a few raw materials and complete creative freedom in the construction of their show’s Cast Box.  Knowing that the boxes are auctioned at Curtain Call, they are always happy to participate.  Curtain Call proceeds benefit the DSM Guild’s meal program and the Seats for Kids series, which gives at-risk children the opportunity to attend theatrical performances free of charge.

According to President and Managing Director Michael Jenkins, “To our knowledge, no other theater does this.  It’s a very special program.”

Since the original by PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in 1994, there have been more than 85 Cast Boxes created by the best of Broadway, exclusively for Dallas Summer Musicals.  Over the years, these priceless pieces of art have become highly collectable.

To get a better idea of what the Cast Box is all about, we’ve included a quick video of the most recent addition to our collection, contributed by the wonderful cast of MEMPHIS.  Next time you’re at the Music Hall, be sure to take a closer look at these one-of-a-kind treasures!

-DSM Haley

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdQE9SVNoIE]

Memphis is coming to Dallas!

FOUR-TIME TONY® AWARD WINNER MEMPHIS

IS COMING TO DALLAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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