UPTOWN PLAYERS PRESENTS REGIONAL PREMIER OF THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA

UPTOWN PLAYERS PRESENTS THE REGIONAL PREMIER OF THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA

Edited by Madelyn Miller

Uptown Players begins its second full season at the Kalita Humphreys Theater with the regional premiere of The Young Man From Atlanta by the late legendary Texas playwright, Horton Foote, running April 1 – 17, 2011.

CELEBRATING HORTON FOOTE

Dallas-Fort Worth area arts organizations are coming together for a two month-long celebration of the late legendary Texas playwright Horton Foote. Uptown Players is pleased to be participating in this citywide festival.
Foote is, without question, one of the most significant American playwrights of the 20th century, and holds a unique place in the pantheon of great Texas theater artists. His plays are all set in the State of Texas, and are deeply saturated with Texas social life and culture.

Foote's Pulitzer prize-winning play, The Young Man From Atlanta, is about a middle-aged couple whose rags-to-riches American Dream suddenly turns into a nightmare. Will Kidder has just moved into his new $200,000 home when he is let go by the company for whom he has worked for nearly 40 years. He decides to start his own business and hopes to use the money he gave his wife and his late son, who committed suicide. But, Will soon learns that both wife and son gave all their money to Bill's roommate, a young man from Atlanta, and Will is left to face a troubled and uncertain future. The Kidders' painful but often funny story won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

THE CAST

The cast includes Blake Blair, Amanda Denton, Gordon Fox, Stan Graner, Tippi Hunter, Kevin Moore, T.A.Taylor, Lucia Welch, and Yolanda Williams. The production is under the direction of Marianne Galloway.

SHOW DATES

The production runs April 1 through April 17, 2011 with shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. There is no performance on April 3, and there is an added performance at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 14. Performances take place at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd (entrance off Blackburn), Dallas, TX 75219. Tickets are $25-35 and can be purchased online at http://www.uptownplayers.org or by phone at (214) 219-2718.

ABOUT UPTOWN PLAYERS

Now entering its tenth season, Uptown Players has gathered a dedicated following with an annual audience base of more than 14,000 patrons, including nearly 1,000 season subscribers. Uptown Players has been named the best theatre company by the Dallas Voice Readers Awards for the past four years and by the Dallas Observer in 2004, 2005 and 2009.

Uptown Players is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, presenting plays and musicals that challenge audiences artistically, build cultural bridges, and strive to create greater positive public awareness and acceptance through the performing arts. There is no other theater group with this unique mission in the Dallas area.

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who tries to see every performance of Uptown Players.

Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com, www.chocolateatlas.com

Two Broadway blockbusters make Dallas Debut

“Best Musical of the Decade” and 5-time Tony Award Nominee Both Make Their Dallas Debut as part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Lexus Broadway Series

Two of the most popular and award-winning Broadway shows currently on tour, Billy Elliot The Musical-with music by Sir Elton John and Rock of Ages, a musical comedy featuring hit songs from the 1980’s are coming to Dallas

Both shows feature recognizable actors in leading roles: Billy Elliot features TV and Broadway actress Faith Prince, and Rock of Ages features American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis.

Performances of Rock of Ages will run from May 17 through May 29 and Billy Elliot The Musical will run from June 8 through June 19. Both shows are part of the Center’s Lexus Broadway Series at the Winspear Opera House.



About Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages is a hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of iconic rockers Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake and many others. In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl meets a big city dreamer in one of Los Angeles’ most legendary rock clubs and they fall in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s.

Constantine Maroulis of American Idol fame will reprise his acclaimed performance as Drew in the first national tour of the 5-time Tony Awards nominated hit musical.
Rolling Stone magazine said: “Rock of Ages has found a perfect lead in Maroulis,” who was among the show’s Tony nominees.

Maroulis was a finalist on American Idol during its fourth season and went on to perform in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including The Wedding Singer and Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

Rock of Ages opened April 7, 2009 at Broadway’s Brook Atkinson Theatre to critical acclaim. The production was nominated for Best Musical of 2009 and a New Line/Warner Bros. film of Rock of Ages is scheduled to be released later this year.

The show will run from May 17 through May 29 at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Performances of Rock of Ages will be at 8 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. There will be additional performances on Sunday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m.

Single ticket prices range from $25 to $150 with prime location orchestra seats available for $75 for select performances.

About Billy Elliot The Musical

Billy Elliot The Musical, featuring an original score by music legend Sir Elton John, is a joyous celebration of one boy’s journey to make his dream come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community.

Based on the international hit film, Billy Elliot is brought to life by a phenomenal cast, including Faith Prince, who has been dazzling Broadway audiences since she swept the theatre awards, winning The Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance as Adelaide in the revival of Guys and Dolls.

Faith guest starred on the Lifetime hit series, Drop Dead Diva, and also has appeared in guest starring roles this year on Ugly Betty,Medium and CSI. She had a recurring role for five seasons on Spin City and has appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, House, Monk and Law and Order.

Her other Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid, Bells are Ringing, Nick & Nora, Little Me, Noises Off and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. She was nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performances in Bells are Ringing and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway.

Billy Elliot The Musical was created by – director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall – along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls “His best score yet.”

Time Magazine has declared Billy Elliot “the best musical of the decade” and the show won 10 Tony Awards in 2009.

The show will run from June 8 through June 19 at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Performances of Billy Elliot The Musical will be at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. There will be additional performances on Sunday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 9 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m.

Single ticket prices range from $30 to $150 with prime location orchestra seats available for $90 for select performances.

Due to changes in national touring plans, the run of Billy Elliot The Musical has been shortened to a limited, two-week engagement at the AT&T Performing Arts Center with 16 performances.

Tickets can be purchased at www.attpac.org/broadway, by phone at 214.880.0202, or in person at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Box Office at the Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street (Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday 11 am – 4 pm), or at the remote Box Office at Park Place Lexus Plano at 1025 Preston Road.


About the AT&T Performing Arts Center
Open since October 2009, the AT&T Performing Arts Center is a vibrant destination for entertainment in the heart of the downtown Dallas Arts District. The Center presents a variety of programs, including its Lexus Broadway Series, Brinker International Forum, JAZZ ROOTS and, in association with TITAS, contemporary dance and music, and other performances. The Center also provides performance space for The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, in unparalleled venues set within a 10-acre urban park.

The Man from Atlanta

UPTOWN PLAYERS PRESENTS THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA
Uptown Players begins its second full season at the Kalita Humphreys Theater with the regional premiere of The Young Man From Atlanta by the late legendary Texas playwright, Horton Foote, running April 1 – 17, 2011. Dallas-Fort Worth area arts organizations are coming together for a two month-long celebration of the late legendary Texas playwright Horton Foote.

Foote is, without question, one of the most significant American playwrights of the 20th century, and holds a unique place in the pantheon of great Texas theater artists. His plays are all set in the State of Texas, and are deeply saturated with Texas social life and culture.

Foote's Pulitzer prize-winning play, The Young Man From Atlanta, is about a middle-aged couple whose rags-to-riches American Dream suddenly turns into a nightmare. Will Kidder has just moved into his new $200,000 home when he is let go by the company for whom he has worked for nearly 40 years.

He decides to start his own business and hopes to use the money he gave his wife and his late son, who committed suicide. But, Will soon learns that both wife and son gave all their money to Bill's roommate, a young man from Atlanta, and Will is left to face a troubled and uncertain future. The Kidders' painful but often funny story won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

The cast includes Blake Blair, Amanda Denton, Gordon Fox, Stan Graner, Tippi Hunter, Kevin Moore, T.A.Taylor, Lucia Welch, and Yolanda Williams. The production is under the direction of Marianne Galloway.

The production runs April 1 through April 17, 2011 with shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. There is no performance on April 3, and there is an added performance at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 14. Performances take place at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd (entrance off Blackburn), Dallas, TX 75219. Tickets are $25-35 and can be purchased online at http://www.uptownplayers.org or by phone at (214) 219-2718.


About Uptown Players
Now entering its tenth season, Uptown Players has gathered a dedicated following with an annual audience base of more than 14,000 patrons, including nearly 1,000 season subscribers. Uptown Players has been named the best theatre company by the Dallas Voice Readers Awards for the past four years and by the Dallas Observer in 2004, 2005 and 2009. Uptown Players is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, presenting plays and musicals that challenge audiences artistically, build cultural bridges, and strive to create greater positive public awareness and acceptance through the performing arts. There is no other theater group with this unique mission in the Dallas area.

Tommy Tune kicks up his heels to open the Dallas Summer Musicals 71st Season

Kicking off Dallas Summer Musicals’ (DSM) 71st season March 15-20, 2011, will be TOMMY TUNE- STEPS IN TIME, A BROADWAY BIOGRAPHY IN SONG AND DANCE, FEATURING THE MANHATTAN RHYTHM KINGS.

Broadway’s Super Star Song and Dance man, Tommy Tune hits the stage high-stepping through his nine-time Tony® Award winning career. Known as one of the most prolific theatre men of the Twentieth Century, Tommy Tune has enchanted audiences over the past 50 years with his charisma, vision, and innovation.

When I was in college, I had a chance to interview Twiggy, the anorexic English teenager girl who was a thin as a Twig. She became a sensation and I followed her career with fascination. When she paired up with Tommy Tune in My One and Only, it was an instant smash hit. And although Twiggy seems to have faded into the background, Tommy Tune is still pounding out hits and art.

A native Texan, Tune received his Equity card onstage at the Music Hall at Fair Park, and began his career as a dancer in the Broadway shows Baker Street, A Joyful Noise, and How Now Dow Jones. He would soon step out of the chorus and into a principal role in the Broadway musical Seesaw, which garnered him his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Less than a decade later, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in My One and Only.
Tune's talents were not limited to his onstage performances.

Throughout his career, he would go on to win an additional seven Tony Awards, four for Best Choreography (A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, Grand Hotel, My One and Only, The Will Rogers Follies) and three for Best Direction of a Musical (Nine, Grand Hotel, The Will Rogers Follies), bringing his total to an unprecedented nine Tony Awards.

In addition, his talents have been recognized by receiving eight Drama Desk Awards, three Astaire Awards, and the Society of Directors and Choreographers George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement. He is also the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the country's highest honor for artistic achievement.
The versatile Tune's talents extend beyond the stage. His film credits include, Hello Dolly, The Boyfriend, Mimi Bluette, Fiore Del Mio Giardino, and Hollywood Blvd. He has been honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout his career he has toured extensively in productions of Irma La Douce, Seesaw, Tommy Tune Tonight, My One and Only, Bye, Bye, Birdie, and his act with The Manhattan Rhythm Kings.

In his spare time, Tune enjoys painting in his Manhattan tower studio. Some of his work can be seen online atwww.TommyTuneGallery.com.

Most recently, Tune directed the new musical, Turn of the Century, at the esteemed Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The show, slated for Broadway, was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice of Jersey Boys fame.

Manhattan Rhythm Kings: Known for their polished performances of American popular music from the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s, the Manhattan Rhythm Kings have gained a large and enthusiastic following across the country. While frequently compared with such musical greats as the Mills Brothers and Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys, the trio has established a unique character of its own with a combination of close harmony singing, virtuosic instrumental work, and spectacular tap dancing.

The Rhythm Kings started performing together on the sidewalks of New York in 1980. From there, these song and dance men graduated to playing some of the Big Apple’s top nightspots. It was their sparkling combination of song and dance that first attracted the attention of Broadway’s Tommy Tune. In 1984 Mr. Tune asked the trio to help him assemble an act based on songs written by Fred Astaire. Their collaboration continues today and the act has performed together in venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall and Atlantic City’s Trump Plaza, and a tour of the former Soviet Union, where they commanded standing ovations in Moscow, Tiblisi, and St. Petersburg.

The Kings are favorites at symphony pops concerts and have performed with over 80 orchestras, including the Boston Pops, the National Symphony, and the orchestras of Baltimore, Detroit, St.Louis, Cincinnati, Seattle, Indianapolis, Dallas and Pittsburgh, among others. The Rhythm Kings have made numerous appearances on television, most notably Evening at Pops with John Williams, Tommy Tune and the Boston Pops, as well as the Emmy-award winning Celebrating Gershwin with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition, they’ve starred in their own special for Nebraska Public Television, and were featured with Andrew Litton and the Dallas Symphony on their PBS special.

Other TV credits include The 1992 Tony Awards, the Today show, CBS, This Morning, The 1992 Kennedy Center Honors Awards, Entertainment Tonight, As the World Turns, as well as several appearances on the The Charles Grodin Show. The Manhattan Rhythm Kings have shared the stage with Bob Hope, George Burns, Leonard Bernstein, Judy Collins, Bette Midler and Gregory Hines. They also appeared at Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes as part of Peter Allen’s Easter Spectacular.

In 1992 the Rhythm Kings were back on Broadway, this time indoors, at the Shubert Theatre. They were featured as Moose, Sam and Mingo, a trio of crooning bumpkins in the “new” Gershwin musical Crazy for You, winner of three Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Choreography. The Manhattan Rhythm Kings are proud to have performed with Tommy Tune in their latest song and dance review, “White Tie and Tails”, inaugurating New York City’s newest theater, the “Little Shubert”, on 42nd St. To quote John Simon of New York Magazine, “90 minutes you fervently wish would never end!”

The group also recently recorded with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks on the soundtrack of the Martin Scorsese film “The Aviator”, starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Their latest CD is a tribute to Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys. In addition to their busy schedule, the “King’s” have tour dates with Tommy Tune. Check out their full itinerary as well as information on how to order one of their five CDs at Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/manhattanrhythmkings.

The following shows are also part of the DSM 2011 season at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Pick A Packs that include any three DSM shows are available starting as low as $36. For more information, please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.
BURN THE FLOOR, April 5-17, 2011. Direct from Broadway, the new Broadway production proclaimed “Audience-Dazzling!” by The New York Times, brings back Ballroom Dancing, reinvented. Years before “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” turned ballroom dancing into must-see TV, one sizzling show was setting stages ablaze around the globe.

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, May 18-29, 2011. This musical is the most fun you will have all season, with its hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. The new musical comedy, direct from Broadway, is based on the hit movie and features Dolly Parton’s original hit title song along with her new Tony® Award and Grammy® nominated score.

STOMP, June 7-12, 2011. This one-week special returns to the Music Hall at Fair Park with new surprises! Explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, and utterly unique, STOMP appeals to audiences of all ages.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, June 14-26, 2011. The second coming of Broadway’s #1 Musical Comedy Smash, called “A No-Holds-Barred Smash Hit” by The New Yorker. The funniest show on earth is back to taunt Dallas for a second time. Winner of the 2005 Tony® Award for Best Musical, SPAMALOT, the musical comedy sensation lovingly ripped off from the film classic “Monty Python and The Holy Grail,” now returns to spread laughter and cheer throughout the kingdom.

GUYS AND DOLLS, July 19-31, 2011. Big League Productions is proud to announce a sparkling new production of the timeless Broadway classic, GUYS AND DOLLS. Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy—considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy—soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to the cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon. The New York Times calls it “The show that defines Broadway dazzle!”

WEST SIDE STORY, October 4-23, 2011, is also the 2011 State Fair of Texas musical. “Bold, fresh and transcendent,” said The New Yorker. More than 50 years ago, one musical changed theater forever. Back on Broadway mesmerizing audiences once again, from the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by two-time Tony® Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents, WEST SIDE STORY remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album recently won the 2010 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, American Airlines, and Texas Instruments.
For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.orgor call (214) 421-5678.

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves dance. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com, and www.coffeeAtlas.com

Three-Day, Cross-Brand Competitive Driving Experience

Lets Texans Drive and Compare More Than 70 All-New Vehicles

Can the Buick LaCrosse really give the Lexus ES a run for its money? How about the Chevy Silverado vs. a Ford F-150? And what about the much anticipated Chevy Volt?

Texans are about to find out for themselves as General Motors’ “Main Street in Motion” rolls in to Lone Star Park Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011. The one-of-a-kind competitive driving experience is free to the public and will allow invited and walk-up guests the chance to drive and compare more than 70 all-new makes and models. The best part: no pressure to buy.


WHAT: A three-day, cross-brand competitive test-drive event hosted by General Motors that pits

Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles against 25 competitive makes: Toyota, Acura,

Dodge, Ford, Honda, Lexus and more. Includes refreshments and family-friendly

entertainment.

WHEN: Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily

WHERE: Lone Star Park

1000 Lone Star Parkway

Grand Prairie, TX 75050
COST: Free and open to the public
VEHICLES: Vehicles included in the test-drive event are:

CHEVROLET: Volt, Cruze, Equinox, Traverse, Corvette, Camaro, Malibu, Impala,

Silverado, Silverado HD, Suburban, Tahoe, Tahoe Hybrid, Avalanche and Express

BUICK: Regal, LaCrosse and Enclave

GMC: Acadia, Sierra, Sierra HD, Sierra Hybrid, Terrain, Yukon, Yukon Denali Hybrid and

Savana

ACURA: TSX, MDX and TL

DODGE: Ram 1500 and Ram 2500

FORD: Taurus, Explorer, Expedition, F-150 and F-250

HONDA: Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Ridgeline

LEXUS: ES

NISSAN: Murano and Maxima

TOYOTA: Corolla, Camry, Tundra, Sequoia and RAV4

HYUNDAI: Elantra and Santa Fe


REQUIRED: Drivers must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license.

REGISTER: Walk-ups are welcome but guests are encouraged to register in advance at

mainstreetinmotion.com.





About General Motors – General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Russia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

###