Sunset Blvd.
The grandest of Broadway musicals takes the stage …
March 2 at Arizona Broadway Theatre

Sunset Boulevard. The two words conjure up Tinseltown and glamour. The Academy Award-winning film lifted Gloria Swanson to icon status for herportrayal as the faded silent film actress Norma Desmond, who dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen while living in her decaying mansion on the fabled Los Angeles street.  The winner of seven Tony Awards, Sunset Blvd. boasts a beautiful, lush score by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Evita).

Arizona Broadway Theatre, recognized as the “Best Playhouse of the Valley” by PHOENIX Magazine and winner of WESTMARC’s “2011 Best of the West” Award, is a state-of-the-art professional dinner theatre that showcases actors and designers from New York City, the greater Phoenix area, and around the country.  Additionally, all aspects of the productions are built at the theatre, making ABT the largest producer of live year-round theatre in the state.  ABT Performing Arts Association Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  For more information, call the box office at 623.776.8400 or visit azbroadway.org.

REMEMBER PATSY CLINE
RETURNS TO ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE
February 15 – 19, 2012

Peoria, Arizona (February 1, 2012) – Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) is proud to bring back by popular demand Remember Patsy Cline, a musical concert tribute to one of the greatest country singers of all time.  Exclusive Arizona engagements will be performed on ABT’s Mainstage February 15 – 19, 2012.

Remember Patsy Cline – Arizona Broadway Theatre – Monica Heuser as Patsy Cline

Certainly every country music fan knows Patsy Cline as a phenomenal singer who pioneered the rise of female country stars.  More importantly, at a time when musical crossovers were a rarity, Patsy was the first female country singer to achieve a pop hit in “Walking After Midnight,” the first of many crossover successes.  Music fans of every persuasion were captivated by the astonishing liquidity and richness of Patsy’s voice.

In 1973, Patsy was the youngest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, honored the year she would have been only 41. Unfortunately, Patsy Cline is one of many vibrant, young performers taken from the world too soon by tragic accidents.  Since her death in 1963 at age 31, the memory of Patsy Cline and her talent have been revered by music lovers everywhere.  “Crazy” still remains the most popular jukebox song in the country.

Remember Patsy Cline – Arizona Broadway Theatre – Monica Heuser as Patsy Cline

Nearly 50 years after her death, Cline’s music lives on in the stylings of contemporary country giants like Loretta Lynn, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, and others who owe much to Patsy’s early crossover success.  Remember Patsy Cline provides an opportunity for fans to experience Cline’s magic in a live performance – if not by Patsy herself – then by Monica Heuser.  Heuser is a singer/actress sanctioned by the estate of Patsy Cline and has performed the title role in the U.S. National Tour of A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline and in Always…Patsy Cline in regional theatres across the country since 1998.

“Remember Patsy Cline was so popular with our audiences this past August we wanted to bring this fantastic show back to the stage for our winter visitors,” said Brad York, ABT’s Sales and Marketing Director. “Monica Heuser literally makes you believe Patsy is on that stage – singing right to you – and she is not to be missed,” he continued. 

Remember Patsy Cline – Arizona Broadway Theatre – Monica Heuser as Patsy Cline

For tickets and information call the ABT box office at 623.776.8400 or visit azbroadway.org.

Arizona Broadway Theatre, recognized as the “Best Playhouse of the Valley” by PHOENIX Magazine and winner of WESTMARC’s “2011 Best of the West” Award, is a state-of-the-art, professional dinner theatre that showcases actors and designers from New York City, the greater Phoenix area, and around the country. Additionally, all aspects of the productions are built at the theatre, making ABT the largest producer of live year-round theatre in the state. ABT Performing Arts Association, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN  
ADDED
Valentine’s Day Performance

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 – 7:30 p.m. show (dinner seating two hours prior)

Arizona Broadway Theatre, recognized as the “Best Playhouse of the Valley” by PHOENIX Magazine and winner of WESTMARC’s “2011 Best of the West” Award, is a state-of-the-art, professional dinner theatre that showcases actors and designers from New York City, the greater Phoenix area, and around the country.  Additionally, all aspects of the productions are built at the theatre, making ABT the largest producer of live year-round theatre in the state.  ABT Performing Arts Association, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  For more information, call the box office at 623.776.8400 or visit azbroadway.org.

ABT Supporters Respond to Matching Gift Challenge

Peoria, AZ -- As Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) was set to launch its annual end-of-year appeal in mid-November, an anonymous donor unexpectedly issued an ambitious Matching Gift Challenge to the not-for-profit theatre.  The donor specified that all new gifts would be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 on one condition – contributions must be made by December 31, 2011.


During the two-month campaign period, hundreds of ABT’s patrons and friends from the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and across the country (as far away as Florida and Alaska) stepped up to meet the donor’s generous challenge in support of the seven-year-old theatre.


“I am pleased to announce the Matching Gift Challenge was an enormous success. The theatre raised $57,635, which has resulted in an extraordinary match totaling $115,270,” said ABT Executive Producer Kiel Klaphake.  “I speak for the entire ABT family when I express a genuine thank-you to all of the donors for the inspirational outpouring of gifts.  We are heartened to know there are so many individuals who understand and believe strongly in the key role the arts play in enriching their lives and communities.”
In addition to noting the fundraising campaign was the most successful ever undertaken by the theatre, Klaphake said ABT’s Academy for Young Performers, Theatre for Young Audiences and its Mainstage programming will all benefit greatly from the donors’ largesse.

On Monday, January 16, Arizona Broadway Theatre's 2012 Music Series presents The Blues: From A-Z – an all-new concert production created by Lonely Street Productions and Bad News Blues Bandleader Mike "Johnny Guitar" Blommer. The show will examine the origins of the blues from the cotton fields of the southern U.S. through the juke-joint days of the 30s and 40s, and then lead you into the era of electric blues when Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon and Jimmy Reed ruled the airwaves. From there, the show will explore how the blues expanded with the music of legends such as B.B. King and Buddy Guy, and eventually evolving into the more modern blues-rock sound of artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top. Starring a cast of top-notch talent from the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, including Johnny Guitar, Alex Flores, "Hurricane" Carla Brownlee, Steve Grams, Stefan George, Tom Walbank, Lisa Otey and more, this show features the hottest blues you'll ever hear from A-Z!

One Performance Only:
Monday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Arizona Broadway Theatre
7701 W. Paradise Lane

Peoria, AZ 85382
623-776-8400

www.azbroadway.org

Tickets:
$44 – $49 Dinner & Show*
*Subject to fees and availability
**Performance-Only options available

Arizona Broadway Theatre, recognized as the "Best Playhouse of the Valley" by PHOENIX Magazine and winner of WESTMARC's "2011 Best of the West" Award, is a state-of-the-art professional dinner theatre that showcases actors and designers from New York City, the greater Phoenix area, and around the country. Additionally, all aspects of the productions are built at the theatre, making ABT the largest producer of live year-round theatre in the state. ABT Performing Arts Association Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, call the box office at 623.776.8400 or visit azbroadway.org.

ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE WILL MAKE IT RAIN
Singin’ in the Rain Opens Friday, January 6, 2012

Don Lockwood is a silent film star with humble origins as a musician, dancer and stunt man. Don tries to tolerate Lina, who is convinced that their screen romance is real. After the first talking picture becomes a smash hit, the head of the studio decides he has no choice but to convert the new Lockwood and Lamont film, The Dueling Cavalier, into a talking production. The production is overcome with complications, by far the worst being Lina's amusingly discordant voice.

After a disastrous test screening, Don's best friend comes up with the idea to overdub Lina's voice and turn The Dueling Cavalier into The Dancing Cavalier, a musical comedy film. As the show moves forward, Don falls in love with aspiring actress, Kathy Selden, who is providing the voice forLina.

Set in old Hollywood with the ever-changing days of film, this popular show is filled with classic songs like “Make ‘Em Laugh,” “Good Mornin’” and, of course, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Singin’ in the Rain runs from January 6 through February 12, 2012.  Following Singin' in the Rain is Sunset Blvd. - winner of the 1995 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score.  Sunset Blvd. is a tragic tale that moves between reality and delusion as the characters discover their place in a world theycan’t evade. 

Arizona Broadway Theatre, recognized as the “Best Playhouse of the Valley” by PHOENIX Magazine and winner of WESTMARC’s “2011 Best of the West” Award, is a state-of-the-art professional dinner theatre that showcases actors and designers from New York City, the greater Phoenix area, and around the country.  Additionally, all aspects of the productions are built at the theatre, making ABT the largest producer of live year-round theatre in the state.  ABT Performing Arts Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  For more information, call the box office at 623.776.8400 or visit azbroadway.org.

HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS
ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE'S 2011 NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA
Where Everyone is a Star!

HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS

This New Year’s Eve, Arizona Broadway Theatre invites you to walk the red carpet and escape into the glamour and magic of Broadway at the movies.

From the stages of Broadway to the silver screens of Hollywood stunning productions have kindled America’s love affair with musicals that have forever shaped our cultural landscape for generations of theatre and moviegoers.

This grand New Year’s Eve extravaganza includes an elegant cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception, a three-course dinner with entrée options such as Blackened Chilean Sea Bass, Filet Mignon with Lobster Tail, Chicken Oscar, and Lobster Ravioli with cream sauce.

Celebrate the evening with Cory McCloskey from Fox 10 Arizona Morning as the Master of Ceremonies. Be entertained by a fabulous Broadway Showcase featuring ABT stars from the past and present. Dance on the stage to a live orchestra and ring in 2012 with a midnight champagne toast, balloon drop and other delights. New this year, a DJ will provide entertainment and dancing in the lobby.

Cory McCloskey, Fox 10 Arizona Morning