The Hot New Musical Twist to Open the Alliance Theatre’s 2010-11 Season

Travel to New Orleans 1928 for a triumphant story of love conquering adversity and of finding family in the most unexpected places. The Alliance Theatre is proud to bring Twist to the stage for its Atlanta debut. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, and in the rich musical tradition of Jelly’s Last Jam, this heart-warming musical brings award-winning director/choreographer Debbie Allen (Fame) back to the Alliance, following her hugely successful Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (winner of the 2010 Olivier Award for Best Revival).

Set in “the Paris of the South,” when the Roaring 20s were at their peak, Twist takes us on an orphan’s journey to find a place to belong and a family to love. Tony Award-nominee William F. Brown (writer of The Wiz) wrote the book for this new spin on the Charles Dickens’ tale, with music by Tena Clark (Grammy Award-winning songwriter) and Gary Prim; lyrics by Tena Clark. Twist will open the Alliance’s 2010-11 Season with its first performance Sept. 1, 2010 on the Alliance Stage.

“Having already assembled a season of high drama, Tony-winning artists and world premieres of all scales and styles, Twist really is the cherry on top,” said Susan V. Booth, Alliance Theatre Artistic Director. “We're so grateful to Atlanta for its support of our work and for joining us on this season’s national journey of American stories.”

Twist examines the deep emotions and human struggles of a young boy whose father was a black song-and-dance man and whose mother was a white woman of prominence. Guided by a fierce yearning for home, he travels through larger-than-life New Orleans, from the orphanage to a new life behind the red velvet curtain of The Jewel Box speakeasy. There he discovers the home he never had and the parents he never knew among a group of children surviving on the street.

“A very present character in Twist is the City of New Orleans—one of our country's greatest phoenix stories. Jazz Age New Orleans is about as juicy an American icon as you can imagine,” notes Booth, referring to next season’s celebration of American icons and American ideas.

So, why introduce Atlanta to Twist now? “Atlanta has proven time and again its appetite for new musical work—diving into big ideas with real delight,” explains Booth. “Twist's capacity to take the warm familiarity of Dickens' beloved tale of a child's search for home and make it bracingly fresh, contemporary and American was irresistible. And that it affords us an opportunity to welcome the dynamic force of nature that is Debbie Allen back to the Alliance just sweetened the deal.”

The following list provides run dates for each of the productions announced as part of the Alliance Theatre’s 2010-11 Season (in chronological order):

Twist Sept. 1 – Oct. 3 (opening night is Sept. 15)

Sammy & Me Oct. 1 – 24 (opening night is Oct. 6)

The Nacirema Society Requests . . . Oct. 20 – Nov. 14 (opening night is Oct. 27)

Middle School the Musical Oct. 23 – 30 (opening night is Oct. 25)

The Second City: Miracle on 1280

Peachtree Street Nov. 5 – Dec. 12 (opening night is Nov. 10)

A Christmas Carol Nov. 26 – Dec. 24 (opening night is Dec. 2)

Bring it on: the Musical Jan. 12 – Feb. 20 (opening night is Jan. 26)

Carapace Feb. 11 – Mar. 6 (opening night is Feb. 16)

Honk! Mar. 5 – 20 (opening night is Mar. 5)

Spoon Lake Blues Apr. 1 – 24 (opening night is Apr. 6)

August Osage County Apr. 13 – May 8 (opening night is Apr. 20)

Now in its 41st season, Atlanta’s nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre, recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, is the leading professional resident theatre of the Southeast, creating the powerful experience of shared theatre for diverse people on two stages for youth and adult audiences. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Susan V. Booth, the Alliance Theatre is a national theatre with a local address, reaching out annually to almost 200,000 patrons and members of the community. Known for its high artistic standards and national role in creating significant theatrical works, the Alliance launched three Tony Award-winning hits to Broadway: Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida and Alfred Uhry’s The Last Night of Ballyhoo. And, in a rare event for a regional theatre, it originated the national tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The theatre has premiered 60 works including adaptations of Carson McCullers’ The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky. Further evidence of the Alliance’s commitment to new work is found in its nationally recognized Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition, a cutting-edge program introducing student playwrights to professional networks while producing the world premiere of the winning student’s work. The Alliance Theatre also offers extensive education and outreach programs such as the Institute for Educators and the Collision Project for high school students. The Alliance continuously brings Atlanta the finest talent and finest art—proving once again that the Alliance is where great theatre lives. 404.733.4650 or www.alliancetheatre.org

The Alliance Theatre is a division of the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia, which also includes the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art and Young Audiences.
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Shake at the Lake is Back! May 5 - 9 in Piedmont Park

Shake at the Lake 2010 will feature a week-long run of last summer's hit A Midsummer Night's Dream in the heart of Piedmont Park May 5 - 9.

As in years past, each performance is free, but tickets are required. For more information on ticket distribution, visit our blog.

Presented by Bank of America, this year's presentation of A Midsummer Night's Dream is directed by John Dillon and will feature some of Georgia Shakespeare's most beloved artists, including Chris Kayser (Bottom), Daniel Thomas May (Demetrius), and Tess Malis Kincaid (Titania).

"Because Shake at the Lake is our gift to the community, we rely wholly on corporate, foundation and individual support to make the event possible," says Producing Artistic Director, Richard Garner. "We are extremely grateful for our presenting sponsor, Bank of America, as well as the support of The Coca-Cola Company, CornerCap Investment Counsel, The Kendeda Fund, The Charles Loridans Foundation, and the Piedmont Park Conservancy. Without their philanthropic vision and earnest interest in the arts in our city, Shake at the Lake would not be possible."

Performances are nightly at 7:30pm, May 5 - 9, overlooking Lake Clara Meer near the park's 12th Street entrance.

Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of each performance beginning at 10am. Tickets are distributed from The Piedmont Park Visitor Center (just inside the 12th Street Entrance), and from Georgia Shakespeare's Box Office at The Conant Performing Arts Center. More info at 404.264.0020.

DON'T WAIT IN LINE! BECOME A SUBSCRIBER TODAY!
Subscribers may pre-order Shake at the Lake tickets beginning April 28. Subscribe to Georgia Shakespeare's 25th Anniversary Season online or call 404.264.0020.
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Fayette Coweta Family Theatre, Inc. Announces Auditions For Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.

Fayette Coweta Family Theatre, Inc. will hold open auditions for their Spring Musical "Fiddler on the Roof, Jr." on Monday, March 29. Performers age 7 to 21 years will be cast in this show. Performances are scheduled for May 6-9 and the rehearsal schedule can be found by visiting www.fcft.net/FiddlerPractice. Those wishing to audition will be asked to learn a portion of a song from the show, a dance combination and cold read from the script. Ages 7 to 9 at 4:30 p.m. ages 10 to 14 at 5:45 p.m. and ages 15 to 21 at 7:15 p.m. Those young men wishing to audition for Tevye will be asked to sing a portion of "If I Were a Rich Man" in addition to the number we teach others auditioning. Auditions, rehearsals and performances will be at the Fayette YMCA Lodge House Theatre at 215 Huiet Road in Fayetteville. Please note that there will be a $175 production fee required from each person who is cast in the show. For more information regarding auditions, character list and descriptions or performances please visit www.fcft.net/aud or contact the director at 770-599-0051

Gwinnett County Middle School Theatre Students to Visit Clayton State “Improv” Class on April 29

The last day of class for the spring 2010 semester at Clayton State University will be a special one for Phillip DePoy’s group of Improvisational Theatre students.

DePoy, the renowned director of the Clayton State Theatre and an assistant professor of Theatre, has arranged with Cynthia D. Samuels-Jackson to have her Radloff Middle School theatre arts students join his Improvisational Theatre class for a day.

With tongue firmly planted in cheek, DePoy describes the visit by Samuels-Jackson’s 45 Gwinnett County middle schoolers as an “invasion.” Actually, the Radloff students will be participating in improv scenes with Clayton State theatre majors.

“She was looking to expose her troupe to theatre on a collegiate level. I think we can do better,” says DePoy.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Phantom of the Opera Returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta

The longest-running show in Broadway history!
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s International Award-Winning Musical
Directed by Harold Prince
Returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta
For Farewell Engagement June 30-July 25, 2010
Tickets On Sale March 21

The Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc. production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince, returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta for a farewell engagement beginning Wednesday, June 30 through Sunday, July 25. Tickets go on sale March 21 and can be purchased at the Fox Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787. Group orders 10 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is the most successful and longest continuously-running tour in U.S. history. The tour will play its final performance in Autumn 2010 at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. The musical has been represented on the road since the First National began performances in Los Angeles in May 1989. Since that time, there have been three U.S. national touring productions. The First National Tour (Christine Company) played Los Angeles and San Francisco for a combined total run of almost 10 years, grossing $305,192,485 with 3,902 performances and 6.6 million patrons. The Second National Tour (Raoul Company) played major markets during an eight and a half year run, grossed $393,608,819 with 3,364 performances and 7.5 million patrons. The Third National Tour (Music Box Company) is the only production still currently touring the U.S. and has played over 7,000 performances and recently celebrated its Seventeenth Anniversary in December 2009.

With worldwide grosses estimated at over $5 billion, The Phantom of the Opera is the most successful entertainment venture of the twentieth century, surpassing such blockbuster films as Avatar, Titanic, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park and Star Wars. The winner of seven Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, The Phantom of the Opera has been seen by over 100 million people in 144 cities in 27 countries. Worldwide, the show consistently plays to larger audiences and in longer engagements than any other musical in history. On January 9, 2006, The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running show in Broadway history surpassing Cats’ record-holding run of 7,485 performances. The show celebrated an unprecedented milestone on January 26, 2008 when it reached its twentieth anniversary on Broadway.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

The Phantom of the Opera had its world premiere on October 9, 1986 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, winning every major British theatre award including the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards. The New York production opened on January 26, 1988 with a then-record advance of $18 million. The musical went on to sweep the 1988 Tony Awards, winning seven, including Best Musical. The Phantom of the Opera also won seven Drama Desk Awards and three Outer Critics Circle Awards. The original London cast recording was the first in British musical history to enter the charts at number one. It has since gone both gold and platinum in Britain and the United States, selling over 25 million copies.

The Phantom of the Opera will play Wednesday, June 30 through Sunday, July 25. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. with matinees Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Ticket prices range from $17 to $64 and can be purchased beginning March 21 at the Fox Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787. Group orders 10 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000.

The Atlanta engagement of The Phantom of the Opera is welcomed by Broadway Across America – Atlanta and Theater of the Stars. It is a season special for Broadway Across America season tickets holders and a subscription offering for Theater of the Stars. Visit the official The Phantom of the Opera website at www.thephantomoftheopera.com.

Broadway Across America: Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and led by Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 42 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Current productions include A CATERED AFFAIR, PASSING STRANGE, SPAMALOT, GO DIEGO GO and THE BACKYARDIGANS. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

Theater of the Stars celebrates its 58th Anniversary as one of the nation’s premier regional theater companies. A civic not-for-profit cultural treasure, Theater of the Stars is dedicated to presenting and producing the best in musical theater. To learn more about the history of excellence, visit www.theaterofthestars.com.

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Theater of the Stars Announces Children and Teen Auditions for The Sound of Music

Theater of the Stars will hold auditions for children and teens between the ages of 7-17 for The Sound of Music on Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. These auditions are for Actors’ Equity and non-Equity actors. You must be in line no later than 11:00 am to be seen. Call backs will take place later that afternoon. Audition location: Atlanta Ballet, 1400 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.

We are looking for girls and boys who dance and sing well to be cast in the roles of the von Trapp Family Children. Please bring two copies of your headshot and resume. Bring your own sheet music and be prepared to sing 16 bars of music from a Broadway musical song that best shows off your voice. Musical accompaniment will be provided. No a cappella, pop or rock selections please. You should wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to dance if asked to attend call backs in the afternoon.

In order to be cast in The Sound of Music you must be available from August 9 through September 5 and be able to make a commitment for this entire time period. Tentative schedule includes rehearsals in New York from August 9-15, Tech & Previews in Tampa from August 17-22, performances in Atlanta at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from August 24-29 and performances in DC at Wolf Trap from August 31-September 5.

For more information or to receive a registration form in advance, please contact Marguerite Daniel at Theater of the Stars at 404-252-8960 or marguerite@theaterofthestars.com.

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Cobb Energy Centre Foundation Announces 2nd Annual Shuler Hensley Award Participants for 2010

High School Participation Increases Over 150% As Schools From Throughout The Region Seek To Participate In Second Annual Shuler Hensley Awards

The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation is delighted to announce that this year’s annual Shuler Hensley Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre will include 39 high schools from 11 counties, representing 12 school districts as well as private schools in the Greater Atlanta area. This year’s growth in participants represents an over 150% increase over 2009. The program debuted in April of 2009 with 15 participating high schools from five metro Atlanta counties. The Shuler Hensley Awards, part of the Foundation’s ARTSBRIDGE program, honor musical theatre excellence at the high school level. “We are thrilled with the growth in the number of participating schools in the Shuler Hensley awards program that includes such a variety of shows and dozens of enthused schools spanning the entire metro Atlanta region.” commented Michael Taormina CFE, managing director of the Cobb Energy Centre.

During the 2009 - 2010 school year, a team of 23 Atlanta-based arts professionals are evaluating participating productions and their scores are being tabulated by the local accounting firm of Frazier & Deeter, LLC. Winners will be announced at a Tony Awards-style ceremony held Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The event will feature numbers from the nominated shows, as well as award presentations for the performers, directors, choreographers, orchestras and designers, who have defined excellence throughout 2009 - 2010.

“The evening is really about so much more than awards,” comments Mark Kent, director of education and community outreach for the Foundation. “This is the night for high school arts programs to step into the limelight and celebrate. Under one roof we have arts professionals and schools from all over the region who have come together to see great theater and build their community. Everyone wins this evening.”

Guest presenters for the evening will feature prominent artists and a few surprise guests who will not only help hand out the awards, but also deliver several thousand dollars in scholarship awards. In June, the students receiving the awards in the Leading Actor and Leading Actress categories will travel to New York City to compete at the National High School Musical Awards.

Please refer to the attached list of participating high schools who have registered to participate in the 2010 competition.

The Cobb Energy Centre awards are named for Marietta native, Shuler Hensley. Shuler’s outstanding work has included: his performance as Jud in the revival of Oklahoma!, for which he received the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award; the country-rock and blues musical The Great American Trailer Park Musical in 2004-2005; and in May 2006 he opened in the Disney musical Tarzan in the role of Kerchak. Hensley is currently playing the role of Frankenstein’s monster in the stage musical of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, which opened on Broadway in November 2007. His distinctive work as the lovable creature earned him nominations for both the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award in 2008.

Tickets for The Shuler Hensley Awards Ceremony are now on sale.

For general information on the Shuler Hensley Awards program, call (770) 916.2808.

About Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation
The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is charged with securing financial resources for the Centre and acting as a fiduciary of those resources. Funds raised by the Foundation support capital needs of the Centre; establish an endowment to provide ongoing support of the Centre; and underwrite the Foundation’s signature education initiative, ARTSBRIDGE. Additional information about the foundation and ways to contribute is available at www.cobbenergycentre.com

About ARTSBRIDGE Education Program
The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation launched its educational outreach program, ARTSBRIDGE, with the Centre’s opening in fall of 2007. Through a combination of field trip programs, artists-in-schools, master classes, and a special collaboration with KSU, the ARTSBRIDGE program offers uniquely powerful arts education tools to educators throughout the metropolitan Atlanta region. The Shuler Hensley Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre were added in 2009. In total, to date, ARTSBRIDGE programs have served over 100,000 teachers and students from across the region.
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The Atlanta Passion Play Returns With A Newly-Created Production For 2010

Experience the authentic, musical-portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ through the newly-created production of the Atlanta Passion Play.

The Atlanta Passion Play will take you back 2,000 years to witness Christ’s life, His miracles, and His resurrection and ascension, like never before. You will relive the final days surrounding the life of Christ as He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Although the biblical truths remain the same, the script and effects change from year to year. This year’s production includes: dramatic lighting, spectacular scenery, magnificent and moving songs, exquisite costumes, and awe-inspiring special effects.

Bring your family and friends, and share this memorable and life-changing journey of the life of Christ. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.atlantapassionplay.org, by calling 770-234-8400, or by stopping at the Box Office, located at 4400 N. Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30038, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. All performances are held at the Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Avenue, NE.

Performance Dates and Times

Saturday, March 20, 2010
11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Note: Saturday time change.

Sunday, March 21, 2010
3:00 p.m.

Friday, March 26, 2010
7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 27, 2010
11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Note: Saturday time change.

Sunday, March 28, 2010
3:00 p.m.

About the Atlanta Passion Play
The Atlanta Passion Play, in its 34th year of production, is produced by the Special Events Ministry of First Baptist Church Atlanta, located at 4400 North Peachtree Road in Atlanta. For more information about the church or other upcoming events, please call 770-234-8300 or visit the church Web site, www.fba.org.