Originally posted on 3/11/14 at 4:05pm
Updated on 3/14/14 at 1:05pm

Hello DSM and WE WILL ROCK YOU fans!

This is your go to post for all things WE WILL ROCK YOU! Check out our inside look into the show with behind the scenes footage! Also, check out the great interviews with the cast, reviews from the critics, and articles about the show. We’ll be adding more as the show continues, so keep checking back here!

Inside Look Videos and Photos

Ruby Lewis Photo Exclusive on Playbill.com – http://www.playbill.com/news/article/186790-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-Scaramouche-Scaramouche-On-the-Road-With-We-Will-Rock-You-Leading-Lady-Ruby-Lewis?tsrc=hph

Sneak Peek Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak0lKa8h5FA

The Cast of WE WILL ROCK YOU in Dallas Photo Album – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152388497178465.1073741841.23412623464&type=3

Interviews and Performances

Interview with Ruby Lewis by Nancy Churnin with The Dallas Morning News – http://artsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03/we-will-rock-you-star-ruby-lewis-talks-about-rocking-the-music-hall-at-fair-park.html/

The Broadcast TV Performance with Brian Justin Crum and Ruby Lewis – http://www.ktxdtv.com/story/24892146/we-will-rock-you

Interview with Ryan Knowles for StageTalk.net – http://www.prophotography.com/stage/WWRY/index.html

Performance on Good Morning Texas with with Brian Justin Crum and Ruby Lewis – http://www.wfaa.com/good-morning-texas/We-Will-Rock-You-cast-rocks-the-GMT-stage-248856711.html

Interview with Erika Peck by Gadi Elkon – http://gadielkon.com/2014/03/will-rock-dallas-summer-musicals-interview-erika-peck-oz/#.Ux9zx7Q_wik

Interview with P.J. Griffith by TheaterJones – http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/features/20140303103358/2014-03-04/QA-PJ-Griffith

Reviews

Opening Night Video – http://youtu.be/Z1EVcHW5Opg

Kory with CBS Radio – KVIL – http://kvil.cbslocal.com/2014/03/10/korys-review-we-will-rock-you-dallas-summer-musicals/

John Garcia with The Column Online – http://thecolumnawards.org/columnonline/review/03-05-2014_WE-WILL-ROCK-YOU/

Thor Christensen with The Dallas Morning News – http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/arts/headlines/20140305-review-jukebox-musical-we-will-rock-you-nails-queens-camp-and-swagger-in-dallas-premiere.ece

Punch Saw with Fort Worth Star Telegram – http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/03/05/5623985/stage-review-we-will-rock-you.html

Gary Murray with Selig Film News – http://seligfilmnews.com/2014/03/will-rock/#.Ux9zs7Q_wik

Shari Goldstein Stern with White Rock Lake Weekly – http://whiterocklakeweekly.com/view/full_story/24703341/article-THEATER-Queen-s-music-transforms-DSM-s-rockin–stage

Dallas Voice – http://www.dallasvoice.com/consciences-queen-10169104.html

Keep checking back for more videos, articles, and much much more!

-DSM Amanda

We Will Rock You’s creators talk about the show
By Jeff Lunden

 Long before We Will Rock You, the rock theatrical featuring the songs of the super group Queen, became an enormous hit in London and throughout the world, it was simply an idea tossed out by an Academy Award-winning actor.  More than a dozen years ago, Robert De Niro, who’s also a film and theater producer, approached the surviving members of Queen about taking their catalogue and turning it into a musical.  “I’m not a fan of musicals as a genre,” says drummer/songwriter Roger Taylor, “so, basically, it’s nothing I was ever interested in.”  Still, he and the band’s two other members decided to give it a try.  Guitarist/ songwriter Brian May says the original idea was to make the show a biography of the late Freddie Mercury, Queen’s flamboyant lead vocalist, who died of AIDS in 1991.  “We began to get keen on the idea,” he explains.  But though they did a couple of theatrical workshops, the piece didn’t gel.  “We didn’t really feel comfortable with portraying our lives and Freddie’s life — it just didn’t seem to sit well.”

Enter Ben Elton, a multi-hyphenate stand-up comic-novelist-playwright-television writer, whose resume includes musicals with Andrew Lloyd Webber and writing for the cult TV series, Blackadder.  Taylor and May approached him about finding a way to put Queen’s songs into a theatrical setting.  “The reason they wanted to speak with me,’ says Elton, is “because I principally work in comedy – comedy with content.  Queen has always had an immense sense of fun, never taking themselves too seriously.  You can see it in everything Freddie did and the costumes they wore.  They were very aware of the sort of theatrical silliness of performance.”

Elton was a Queen fan to begin with, and appreciates the band’s continued popularity.  “Queen’s music is so ubiquitous and all-pervasive.  It belongs to us all,” he says.  But he “became a much bigger fan when I began to investigate the studio albums, after Queen approached me.”  Elton says the band’s songs – which fill two greatest hits albums – are “extraordinary; even more eclectic and varied than you would know.”   And, he adds, they have an “exuberance and sense of theater.”

The playwright and director crafted a satirical story set three hundred years in the future, a “tongue-in-cheek legend.”  Elton wove twenty of Queen’s biggest hits into the dystopian narrative, which features a hero and heroine named Galileo and Scaramouche, a villainous Killer Queen and a group of underground rebels called the Bohemians.  “I had this image of a guitar buried in rock, a world where rock music is banned, where live rock and roll is seen as the enemy of kind of computer-recorded industrialized-pop that is downloaded directly into the kids’ bedrooms, without recourse to their individuality,” he says.  “And so that was where I began; the idea of one last guitar with which rock and roll will be reborn, and live music will again be played on the planet.”

The man who wielded Queen’s axe, guitarist Brian May, says integrating songs into the story turned out to be pretty easy: “Strangely enough, it wasn’t that difficult to put the songs in there, because a lot of Queen stuff is about finding yourself, finding freedom, breaking away from where you are, breaking in to the world.  You know, “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions,”  “I Want to Break Free.”  It’s kind of all there.  Most of the songs are delivered intact without even any lyric changes.”  May says they did change some of the lyrics to their hit, “Radio Ga Ga.”  He says it “becomes a song about what’s happening in the future; everything’s Internet, everything’s advertising, the kids have no freedom to think for themselves.”

We Will Rock You opened in London eleven years ago, and has played at the Dominion Theatre ever since.  It’s even a bigger international hit.  Productions have played in Australia, Japan, Spain, Russia, South Africa and Canada, among other places.  A sit down version played in Las Vegas.  Writer/director Ben Elton says the show appeals not only to fans of Queen, but to broad audiences.   “You don’t need to be a Queen fan to love it,” he says, chuckling.  “You do need to be a rock and roll fan – you do need to like your rock!” For the North American tour, Elton has made script changes, as he does for every production.  He says he adapts things for the individual skills of the actors cast.  And also, “because there’s a lot of reference to popular culture, a lot of fun to be had with the history of rock and roll and the grandiose sort of vanities of rock stars and their excesses,” he’s constantly updating the script.

As they have since the beginning, band members Brian May and Roger Taylor are actively involved in selecting not just the actors, but the musicians who will accompany the tour.  “We put together the band, you know it’s a completely live show,” says Taylor.  “And the band has to be very, very hot and we personally audition them.  It’s become a huge family of musicians, all of whom are great.   I love those guitarists who can do stuff that I can’t do! ” On occasion, May has been known to join the band for the show’s finale.

It was May who dubbed We Will Rock You a “rock theatrical” and the moniker stuck.  The show features the kind of lighting and video projections that are part and parcel of the kind of arena rock Queen used to play.  For the first time ever, Freddie Mercury’s epic hit, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is performed live onstage.  The original version featured 180 vocal overdubs – onstage the choral parts are sung live by the entire cast.  By the end of the show, Elton says “We’ve got a triumvirate of songs, which are stadium pleasers, and you can’t NOT be on your feet!”  Brian May says over eleven years: “It’s never happened that people didn’t get up and get into it.  So, it’s a joy.  I love watching it and I love being a part of it.”  Drummer Roger Taylor says he’s pretty sure audiences for the North American tour will react the same way: “I just hope the audiences leave the theater with a feeling of having been uplifted, having laughed a lot and having been ROCKED.”

WE WILL ROCK YOU is presented by Dallas Summer Musicals March 4-16, 2014 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Great seats still available! Visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/yzbh33?brand=dallasmusicals for tickets and http://dallassummermusicals.org/shows_wewillrockyou.shtm for more information!

The Continuing Evolution of We Will Rock You
By Ben Elton

Way back in the year 2000, I got the chance to write the book for a musical based around Queens greatest hits. Queen had a terrific sense of humour and also quite a futuristic vibe (Flash! Ah ah!). Also, a kind of legendary feel, so I came up with a comical Dystopian ‘legend’. Sword in the Stone meets the Matrix. Except the sword was a guitar.

The story imagined a world where technology is sufficiently advanced to allow the media entertainment machine to download the latest homogenised pop music, games and videos directly to every consumer on Earth at once. Thus creating a bleak and lonely world where the most significant relationship an individual has is with their personal computer.

Clearly events have rather overtaken what, at the time, still seemed a futuristic vision. The ‘wrist held’ communicators of our original design through which the kids downloaded their every influence are scarcely a futuristic idea now everyone has a smart phone. There was no American Idol in 2000, no YouTube and no social networking. For a story about the death of live rock through a Net empowered corporate media machine, these are not developments that are possible to ignore.

Back then, I called my brave new world Planet Mall, imagining Earth as one vast shopping precinct. A couple of years ago, I changed the name to the iPlanet. Nobody goes shopping in real time anymore.

And that’s the great and exiting privilege I have with We Will Rock You. Because it’s still running in London and now being produced around the world, I get the chance to update the script.

For example, in the story, our two teen rebels are captured and the police plant tracking bugs in their heads. These days we’re all tracked; my wife can see where our three children are at all times by looking at ‘Find My Phone’.  Most young people actually announce their whereabouts themselves on social networking. If the cops want to get someone they can just follow their tweets. Because of WWRY’s longevity, I get to play with these developments and work them into the script.

We even get to use different songs when it feels right. Queen’s hit catalogue is too vast to include them all, so for instance, You’re My Best Friend is not in the London show. There is, however, a scene where our two leads run away and discuss their loneliness and isolation. They realize that they are both friendless. These days, with the arrival of social networking, loneliness and isolation have taken on a very different form. It tends to be experienced not so much in the corners of cafes and schoolrooms but via headphones and a tiny screen. In 2013, it seemed ridiculous for two kids to discuss friendship without reference to Facebook. Young people now live in a world where it’s possible to have many virtual ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ and yet still be entirely isolated and alone. Factoring this into the story has added a whole new layer in which real friendship in real time is viewed with suspicion as almost deviant behaviour. The new dialogue with this very changed emphasis brought the song You’re My Best Friend into the show.

Likewise, the stunning outreach and ubiquity of Broadband which has occurred in the last decade has led me to introduce the rock anthem Now I’m Here (Now I’m There) into the evil Killer Queen’s repertoire.

Apart from addressing the broader social and technological changes, I also get the chance to update moments of topical humour. In the story, a group of rebels called Bohemians fashion themselves on half forgotten Rock Gods and so the script is peppered with references to rock and pop. Britney Spears for instance is the subject of a gag, but during the time of her very public emotional problems I took it out because what had been a fun and supportive joke suddenly felt dark and wrong. Happily, Britney’s back in the show but during her absence, Posh Spice, Hilary Duff and Jessica Simpson all took a bow. Clay Aiken was a presence in the early days but Idols come and go; he’s moved on and so have we. When I was looking at the script for our upcoming US tour, I put in a reference to Hannah Montana. Since then, Miley Cyrus has twerked her way to ubiquity and so the gag had to change. Twerking is in the show now of course, but I think it will have a short shelf life.

In the long run, the show is a celebration of live music. Something well worth celebrating in a world where the majority of ‘live’ music is a semi lip synched dance show taking place in a vast arena. And which the audience experience through a sea of camera phones including their own. Long live rock n’ roll.

WE WILL ROCK YOU is presented by Dallas Summer Musicals March 4-16, 2014 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Great seats still available! Visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/yzbh33?brand=dallasmusicals for tickets and http://dallassummermusicals.org/shows_wewillrockyou.shtm for more information!

BOHEMIANS, REJOICE!

QUEEN AND BEN ELTON’S WE WILL ROCK YOU
RECEIVED AN UPGRADE FOR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH MORE LAUGHS, MORE TECHNOLOGY, AND MORE QUEEN SONGS TO LOVE…
COMING TO DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS
MARCH 4-16 AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

DALLAS, TEXAS…The worldwide smash hit ‘rock theatrical,’ Queen and Ben Elton’s We Will Rock You, built around 24 of Queen’s biggest hits, opens at the Music Hall at Fair Park Tuesday, March 4, 2014. We Will Rock You is produced by Queen Theatrical Productions, Tribeca Theatrical Productions, Phil McIntyre Entertainment and NETworks Presentations.

Single tickets for We Will Rock You are priced from $15-$85, on sale now at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #542 in Preston Royal Shopping Center, all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  For complete performance schedule or to purchase tickets online, please visit  www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Mini Packs for any four or more DSM season shows, starting as low as $61, are also on sale at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane #542 at Preston Royal Shopping Center. Mini packs are also available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Groups of 10 or more get a 15% discount and priority seating; please call 214-426-GROUP214-426-GROUP (4768) or email groups@dallassummermusicals.org.

This hilarious, multi-award-winning and record-breaking phenomenon is created by celebrated British comedian and writer Ben Elton (TV’s “Mr. Bean” and “The Young Ones”), and boasts a fantastic score of Queen’s biggest songs including “Another One Bites The Dust”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “We Are The Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and, of course, “We Will Rock You.”

For the US production, writer and director Ben Elton has redrafted his original script to resonate with US audiences as well as reflect the cultural changes since he first penned the storyline.

“Apart from addressing the broader social and technological changes, I also get the chance to update moments of topical humor,” says Elton. New additions to the show include the most current pop culture references (yes, there is a Miley Cyrus twerking joke!) and the addition of a new song, “You’re My Best Friend.”

“There is a scene where our two leads run away and discuss their loneliness and isolation,” Elton says. “In 2013, it seemed ridiculous for two kids to discuss friendship without reference to Facebook. Young people now live in a world where it’s possible to have many virtual ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ and yet still be entirely isolated and alone. The new dialogue with this changed emphasis brought the song ‘You’re My Best Friend’ into the show.”

Tribeca producer Jane Rosenthal says, “With Ben’s updates, it’s almost a new show. However, in some ways, it was already ahead of its time when it opened in 2002. The overarching theme is a demand for individualism and intimacy in a world where everything is downloadable.”

Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor are musical supervisors to the show, taking an active role in

casting the singer/actors and musicians for every production worldwide. The cast features Brian Justin Crum as Galileo, Ruby Lewis as Scaramouche, Jacqueline Arnold as Killer Queen, P.J. Griffith as Khashoggi, Ryan Knowles as Buddy, Erica Peck as Oz and Jared Zirilli as Britney.

Rounding out the ensemble are Danny Balkwill, Samantha Berman, Bentley Black, Jessica Crouch, Saccha Dennis, Sam Digiuseppe, Suzanna Dupree, Daniel Greenberg, Stephen Hernandez, Nathan Keen, William Joseph Lewis, Brooke Morrison, Jennifer Mote, Katie Murphy, Jennifer Noble, Fred Odgaard, Patrick Ortiz, Jason Sermonia, Stephanie Sy and Kasey Walker.

The We Will Rock You band includes Rick Hip-Flores (Musical Director/Conductor), Brandon Ethridge (Assistant Conductor/Keyboards), Emily Marshall (Keyboards), Tristan Avakian (Guitar), Bob Wegner (Guitar), Mike Cohen (Bass), David Stevens (Percussion) and Danny Young (Drums).

The show is in its 12^th year at The Dominion in London’s West End, one of London Theatreland’s biggest theatres, making it the venue’s longest-running production ever. We Will Rock You is now officially the 9^th longest running show in the West End and was crowned the UK’s favorite show at the 2011 Olivier Awards, the UK equivalent of the Tony Awards, in a category voted entirely by members of the public. Outside of the UK, the show has now been seen in local productions in 17 countries, playing to an audience of over 15 million people.

We Will Rock You takes place in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation. Globalization is complete. Individuality is taboo. Everyone watches the same movies, wears the same clothes and thinks the same thoughts. Music is generated by the corporation’s computers, rock music is unheard and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely resistance – an alliance of rebel Bohemians, waiting for a hero to lead the battle to bring the power of rock back to the people.

“This show is all about legend,” says Ben Elton. “We take the legend of Queen and create our own fantastical story of young kids battling the mighty corporation who wants to suppress their individuality and their love of music. They need a hero who can help them in their struggle, and we have two – the dreamer Galileo, and the sassy rock chick Scaramouche. Guess who ends up winning?”

“Creating the show with Ben was very much a three-way thing,” says Roger Taylor. “It was great because he was a pleasure to work with and because he has such a fertile mind. He never stops churning out ideas.”

Brian May adds, “The amazing bonus is that Ben’s script subtly works as a metaphor too. People definitely come out of the theatre feeling that in a strange way they now know us, Queen, and our struggle, our journey.”

The original production of We Will Rock You is a Phil McIntyre Entertainment, Tribeca Theatrical Productions and Queen Theatrical Productions presentation.  Book and direction by Ben Elton. Music and Music Supervision by Queen/Roger Taylor and Brian May. Musical staging and choreography by Arlene Phillips. Production Design by Mark Fisher and Lighting Design by Willie Williams. Sound by Bobby Aitken. Costumes by Tim Goodchild. Tracey Flye is the Associate Director and Associate Choreographer of the North American tour.

Queen Theatrical Productions is a production entity created especially by the band’s parent company Queen Productions Ltd to handle the development and production of We Will Rock You.

Headquartered in New York, Tribeca Theatrical Productions was founded in 2001 by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, the acclaimed producers of the Meet the Parents franchise, Analyze This and Wag the Dog. Through Tribeca Theatrical Productions, De Niro and Rosenthal co-produced, along with Queen Theatrical Productions and Phil McIntyre Entertainment, the theatrical musical We Will Rock You, based on the music of Queen.

DSM season shows continue March 18-30 with THE WIZARD OF OZ; April 15-27 with EVITA; June 3-15 with MAMMA MIA!, and September 2-14 with NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.  For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.

#  #  #

For media information, including photos, interviews, or reviewer passes, please contact Jo Ann Holt

at joannholt@gmail.com or 469-363-7371469-363-7371.

It’s that time of year again – gift buying season is here! Sometimes the task can be a bit daunting, but we’ve got your current (and soon-to-be) Broadway fans covered! Check out Dallas Summer Musicals’ Holiday Gift Guide for some ideas and inspiration!

• Season Tickets – LAST CHANCE! See 8 shows for as low as $133.  A 2013/2014 Season Ticket is the ultimate gift for a Broadway fan. Secure their seat to all of our Broadway bests this season, including IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, GHOST THE MUSICAL, THE LITTLE MERMAID, WE WILL ROCK YOU, THE WIZARD OF OZ, EVITA, MAMMA MIA!, and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.  They’re only available thru December 29th! Click here for more info!
  
• Mini Packs are perfect if you prefer to pick and choose.  Select 4 or more shows starting at $61! Click here for more info!
  
• Single tickets for IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS are on sale now!
  
• Single tickets for GHOST – THE MUSICAL are on sale now, and featured in Ticketmaster’s ME +3 & 2 For 1 Holiday Ticket Deals! These deals are good for ALL Performances in Price Levels 5-7! Click here and choose a performance!
• PRESALE for THE LITTLE MERMAID available NOW! Click here and use code: FIRST (all caps) for any performance in any price level! Offer ends December 29th!
  

Not sure who to give Broadway to this season?

• For the Christmas Connoisseur: IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS – on sale now!
• For the Hopeless Romantic: GHOST – on sale now!
• For the Disney Princess: THE LITTLE MERMAID – PRESALE now!
• For the Rock Star: WE WILL ROCK YOU – add it to your Mini Pack!
• For the Family: THE WIZARD OF OZ – add it to your Mini Pack!
  
• For the History Buff: EVITA – add it to your Mini Pack!
• For the Girls: MAMMA MIA! – add it to your Mini Pack!
  
• For the Gershwin Fan: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT – add it to your Mini Pack!
  

8 Reasons Tickets Make A Great Gift:

1. You’re giving an EXPERIENCE. 
2. Do you really remember every gift you received last year? 5 years ago?  Give your loved ones something they’ll remember for years to come. 
3. You won’t be wasting your hard earned cash – unlike a sweater, tie or pink bunny footie pajamas… tickets won’t get pushed to the back of a closet.
4. Instead of playing the gift guessing game with a toy that gets tossed to the side, introduce the kids to the magic of theatre.
5. Date night.  Need we say more?
6. We all know that in-laws are difficult to buy for.  Make it a 4-pack and they’ll be pleased with your willingness to share date night with them.
7. Ladies: choose to give tickets over gift cards this year, and change up your Girl’s Night Out routine!
8. Check the entire family off of your gift-giving list and make it a family affair! It only takes 10 people to qualify for our Group Discount!

From all of us here at DSM, we hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!

-DSM Amanda

*Please note: This post has been updated from the previous post to reflect our current promotions and availability. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at webinfo@dallassummermusicals.org. Thank you!

It’s that time of year again – gift buying season is here! Sometimes the task can be a bit daunting, but we’ve got your current (and soon-to-be) Broadway fans covered! Check out Dallas Summer Musicals’ Holiday Gift Guide for some ideas and inspiration!

• Season Tickets are on sale now! See 8 shows for as low as $133.  A 2013/2014 Season Ticket is the ultimate gift for a Broadway fan. Secure their seat to all of our Broadway bests this season, including IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, GHOST THE MUSICAL, THE LITTLE MERMAID, WE WILL ROCK YOU, THE WIZARD OF OZ, EVITA, MAMMA MIA!, and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.  They’re only available for a limited time before the season starts! Click here for more info!
  
• Mini Packs are perfect if you prefer to pick and choose.  Select 4 or more shows starting at $61! Click here for more info!
  
• Single tickets for IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS are on sale now!
  
• Single tickets for GHOST – THE MUSICAL are on sale now, and featured in Ticketmaster’s ME +3 & 2 For 1 Holiday Ticket Deals! These deals are good for ALL Performances in Price Levels 5-7! Click here and choose a performance!
• Keep an eye out for DSM’s Cyber Monday Offer: 4 Tickets for $99!
• PRESALE for THE LITTLE MERMAID begins Monday, December 16th!

Not sure who to give Broadway to this season?

• For the Christmas Connoisseur: IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS – on sale now!
• For the Hopeless Romantic: GHOST – on sale now!
• For the Disney Princess: THE LITTLE MERMAID – PRESALE December 16th!
• For the Rock Star: WE WILL ROCK YOU – add it to your Mini Pack!
• For the Family: THE WIZARD OF OZ – tickets available Cyber Monday!
• For the History Buff: EVITA – add it to your Mini Pack!
• For the Girls: MAMMA MIA! – tickets available Cyber Monday!
• For the Gershwin Fan: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT – add it to your Mini Pack!
  

8 Reasons Tickets Make A Great Gift:

1. You’re giving an EXPERIENCE. 
2. Do you really remember every gift you received last year? 5 years ago?  Give your loved ones something they’ll remember for years to come. 
3. You won’t be wasting your hard earned cash – unlike a sweater, tie or pink bunny footie pajamas… tickets won’t get pushed to the back of a closet.
4. Instead of playing the gift guessing game with a toy that gets tossed to the side, introduce the kids to the magic of theatre.
5. Date night.  Need we say more?
6. We all know that in-laws are difficult to buy for.  Make it a 4-pack and they’ll be pleased with your willingness to share date night with them.
7. Ladies: choose to give tickets over gift cards this year, and change up your Girl’s Night Out routine!
8. Check the entire family off of your gift-giving list and make it a family affair! It only takes 10 people to qualify for our Group Discount!

From all of us here at DSM, we hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!

-DSM Amanda

DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS ANNOUNCES 74TH SEASON
CREATING MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK
See 8 Shows for as Low as $133!

DALLAS, TX…Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM)announces their 2013-2014 season of shows, with eight touring Broadway productions and two specials coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in professional live theatrical entertainmentfor 74 seasons, since 1941.

Michael A. Jenkins, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals, said, “We believe in creating memories that will last a lifetime, so our 74th season is filled with musicals that should provide an unforgettable experience for everyone in the family.  We simply could not wait to start fulfilling that promise, so we are kicking off the 2014 season with a great family musical, Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, in December of 2013.”

DSM 2013-2014 SEASON AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, December 17-29, 2013.

The story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain.  Full of dancing, romance, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, including “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the unforgettable title song, IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS promises to be a merry and bright experience for the entire family!

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS features Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin with Book by David Ives and Paul Blake and is based upon the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank.

GHOST THE MUSICAL,  January 28-February 9, 2014.

Featuring an original pop score from multiple Grammy Award winners Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, adapted from the hit film by its Academy Award winning screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin. The story follows Sam and Molly, a young couple whose connection takes a shocking turn after Sam’s untimely death.  Trapped between two worlds, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave dangers. Desperate to communicate with her, he turns to a storefront psychic, who helps him protect Molly and avenge his death.  GHOST THE MUSICAL is “eye-poppingly brilliant” (AP) and “astounding,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, Previews Feb. 13-16, runs February 18-March 2, 2014.

The “under the sea sensation” brings to the stage a magical kingdom where the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.  Based on one of Hans Christian Anderson’s most beloved stories, with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, it’s a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages.  Come fall in love with the magic for the first time, or all over again!

WE WILL ROCK YOU, March 4-16, 2014.

From London’s West End, the worldwide smash hit musical features the greatest hits of the legendary British rock group, Queen, with Ben Elton.  Now in its 11^th year in London, seen by 15 million people worldwide, this hilarious, multi-award-winning and record-breaking phenomenon boasts a fantastic score that you just can’t resist singing along to, such as “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Crazy Little thing Called Love,” “We Are the Champions,” Bohemian Rhapsody” and the title song, “We Will Rock You.”

THE WIZARD OF OZ, March 18-30, 2014.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZis an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage.  Developed from the ever-popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar® winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  Join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog, Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires.  Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for the family.

EVITA, April 15-27, 2014.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award® winning musical returns at last.  Eva Peron used her beauty and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady.  Adored by her people as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world, while her greed, outsized ambition and fragile health made her one of the most tragic.  Evita’s passionate and unforgettable true story features some of theater’s most beautiful songs, including “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall,” and “High Flying, Adored.”  The new production is directed by Michael Grandage and choreographed by Rob Ashford.

MAMMA MIA!,June 3-15, 2014.

Over 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that makes MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel good show.  Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise.  On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.  The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship.

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, September 2-14, 2014.

The champagne flows and the gin fizzes in this hilarious Tony® winning new musical.  It’s the roaring twenties, and a cast of outrageous characters gather in New York to celebrate the wedding of wealthy playboy Jimmy Winter.  But things don’t go as planned when the playboy meets Billie Bendix, a bubbly and feisty bootlegger who melts his heart.   Featuring a treasure trove of George and Ira Gershwin’s most beloved instantly recognizable tunes, set in a fresh and funny song and dance spectacular with a book by Tony winner Joe DiPietro and direction by Tony winner Kathleen Marshall.  Filled to the brim with such classic songs as “But Not for Me,’ “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” this sparkling tale combines laughter, romance and high-stepping Broadway magic for an evening bursting with girls, glamour, and those glorious Gershwin songs.

LORD OF THE RINGS IN CONCERT, Special, Nov. 8-10, 2013.

Composer Howard Shore brings J.R.R. Tolkein’s literary imagination to vivid life with his Academy and Grammy Award winning score to The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring.  Shore’s music, performed by Dallas POPS, expresses Peter Jackson’s film as an immense symphonic work; a uniquely developed vision drawn from centuries of stylistic tendencies.   Counted among film music’s most complete and comprehensive works, this unique performance of the music of The Lord of the Rings sets the score to the film but allows the music to bear the narrative weight, creating a wholly new and dramatic live concert experience.

RAIN- A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES, Special, Nov. 23-24, 2013.

Direct from Broadway, RAIN performs the full range of the Beatles’ discography live onstage, including the most complex and challenging songs that The Beatles themselves recorded in studio but never performed for an audience.  Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance in this multi-media concert.  From the early hits to later classics, such as “I  Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Let It Be,” “Come Together,” and “Hey Jude”, this tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends.

Season tickets, priced from $133-$782, go on saleWednesday, July 31 at The Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, Suite 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 of 10 or more, 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 up to $97 over the cost of single tickets.

Season sponsors and partners for Dallas Summer MusicalsareThe Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, The Original Cupcakery, 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.

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 atwww.dallassummermusicals.org.

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For media information about any of the individual shows or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371, or email joannholt@gmail.com.

Dallas Summer Musicals is pleased to announce our 74^th Season!

2013/2014 Season Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Join us for the season and enjoy the best Broadway shows, in the best seats, at the best price! See 8 shows for as low as $133 and save up to $97 on single ticket prices!

2013/2014 Season Tickets ON SALE NOW! Click on the pic above for more info!

The 2013/2014 DSM Season is 8 Broadway touring shows:

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical – December 17-29, 2013 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#WhiteChristmasDSM)

Ghost The Musical – January 28 – February 9, 2014 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#GhostDSM)

Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Previews February 13-16, Performances February 18 – March 2 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#LittleMermaidDSM)

We Will Rock You The Musical – March 4-16, 2014 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#WWRYDSM)

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s New Production The Wizard of Oz – March 18-30, 2014 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#WOZDSM)

Evita – April 15-27, 2014 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#EvitaDSM)

Mamma Mia! – June 3-15, 2014 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#MammaMiaDSM)

Nice Work If You Can Get It – September 2-14, 2014 – Music Hall at Fair Park (#NiceWorkDSM)

Specials:

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert with the Dallas Pops – November 8-10, 2013 (#LOTRDSM)

Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles – November 23-24, 2013 (#RainDSM)

Check out a sneak peek of the season below!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtqxg6vO07w&w=560&h=315]

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

Make sure you like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on this blog (at the top on the right – just enter your e-mail address) to get the latest news on our 2013/2014 Season, behind the scenes facts, special contests, and more throughout the season!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

We look forward to seeing you soon at the 2013/2014 DSM Season!

-DSM Amanda