May 29, 2008                                                                                                                                                     

CONTACTS:                                                                                                                                                             

David Fischer, Executive Director – 253.591.5582 – dfischer@broadwaycenter.org

Benjii Bittle, Deputy Executive Director – 253.591.5891 – bbittle@broadwaycenter.org

Lacey Leffler, Associate Director of Marketing – 253.573.2360 – laceyl@broadwaycenter.org

Broadway Center for the Performing Arts

Celebrates 25th Anniversary with 2008-09 Season

Tacoma, WA- In celebration of the 25th anniversary, the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts is excited to announce the 2008-09 season.

In a new partnership with Chambers Creek Properties, August 9 will launch the Grand Opening Celebration and the commencement of the Broadway Center season with Concerts at Chambers Creek®, an outdoor concert experience.  The show features folk legend Judy Collins with Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and Jonatha Brooke.  Tickets are on sale for this event beginning on Friday, May 30, 2008. 

Then, the official opening night is set for September 27, 2008 with the 25th Anniversary performance A Salute to Vaudeville: Voice of the City. The performance pays homage to the Pantages Theater origins as an original Vaudeville house of the roaring 1920’s, and will feature a spectacular variety show with the best of regional novelty artists and many of the Broadway Center’s Resident Arts Organizations.

As the 25th Anniversary season features performers from all genres with events, it encompasses some of the biggest and brightest entertainers in Broadway Center history.  From hilarious comedians and storytellers Lily Tomlin, Martin Short, and David Sedaris, fresh new musicals Movin’ Out, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Altar Boyz, to theater productions Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and Aladdin: A New Holiday Musical in the campy British tradition, this season offers an abundance of entertainment throughout the year.

“Our 25th Anniversary Season is the perfect way to celebrate the Broadway Center’s role as the center of the performing arts in the region and recognize 9th & Broadway as a gathering place that has connected generations of our community.  The 2008-09 Season offers diverse programs,  new talent and several recognizable stars to the stages.  It’s an exciting combination and we hope everyone will indulge in the theater experience!,” said David Fischer, BCPA Executive Director. 

Broadway Center Education programs are recognized for their leadership in the South Puget Sound, providing the largest performing arts education programs in Washington State. The Education programs will serve more than 26,000 students in Pierce County this year.  As a continued Kennedy Center Partner in Education the school-time programming has been intentionally selected to meet the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements.  The Broadway Center also offers Graduate Teacher Training courses, partners with Puget Sound ESD to offer theater and arts opportunities to underprivileged schools, and through the Broadway Center Conservatory will offer a variety of performing arts courses and immersions that begin in the Fall. 

The Broadway Center remains home to many of Tacoma’s Resident Arts Organizations (RAOs): Northwest Sinfonietta, Puget Sound Revels, Tacoma City Ballet, Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Philharmonic, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma School of the Arts, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, and Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. 

The Broadway Center hosts Community Dialogues with a broad array of community members, and to date have engaged African Heritage Community, Latino Community, Urban Explorers and Hip-Hop constituencies during the past year.  This season, the Community Dialogues will continue with Communities of Faith, LGBT and Allies, Military Service Community and Pan-Asian Community gatherings. Dates and times will be announced soon.

Broadway Center memberships and ticket packages for those purchasing four or more events will be on sale beginning June 15, 2008.  Advance ticket buyers will receive one parking pass per show, when purchasing four or more events on or before July 25, 2008.  Single tickets are on sale beginning August 1, 2008.  Broadway Center Member’s receive access to the best seats, special receptions and other great benefits and savings. To find out more information on how to become a member, request a brochure or order tickets call Broadway Center Box Office at 253.591.5894, toll-free 1.800.291.7593, or visit the Box Office at 901 Broadway in Tacoma’s Theater District.  For more information regarding upcoming events visit www.broadwaycenter.org.

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Broadway Center for the Performing Arts

25th Anniversary: 2008-09 Season

Connect in the Heart of Tacoma

Concerts at Chambers Creek® Grand Opening Celebration:

Judy Collins with Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and Jonatha Brooke – August 9

The Grand Opening Celebration for outdoor Concerts at Chambers Creek® showcase legendary singer and songwriter and new rising folk star with Tacoma’s only full-scale professional symphony orchestra

A Salute to Vaudeville: Voice of the City – September 27

Celebrate the Broadway Center’s 25th Anniversary with a spectacular evening of music, comedy, acrobatics and more!

A Tribute to Gospel Music: Starring Crystal Aikin – October 12

Winner of BET’s Sunday Best, Tacoma celebrity Crystal Aiken will bring a lively performance to the stage in a Tribute to Gospel Music

Book-It Repertory Theatre presents Even Cowgirls Get the Blues – October 17-26

Tom Robbins’ 1979 counterculture classic follows the wild adventures one woman as she hitchhikes across America and accumulates a collection of renegade cowgirls along the way

   * Performance contains adult material and is advised for a mature audience only.

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – October 29

Tony Award® winning musical comedy is an offbeat and heartwarming show that demonstrates that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t make you a loser

An Evening with David Sedaris – October 30

NPR Humorist and Best-Selling Author

   * Performance contains adult material and is advised for a mature audience only.

An Evening with Martin Short – November 8

Comedic chameleon and oh-so-famous Jiminy Glick interviews a local celebrity LIVE!

Scrooge: The Movie Musical and 63rd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting – November 29

Embrace the holiday season with a special showing of the Scrooge: The Movie Musical and the 63rd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Seattle Men’s Chorus: Holiday Concert - Fruitcake – December 13

Soaked in intoxicating spirits; with a bit of spice, nuts, and fruit tossed in for fun – the          annual tradition continues with a mix of music, laughter and tears!

Centerstage presents Aladdin: A New Musical Comedy – December 18-21

In true English Panto tradition, families will love the laughter, song and dance of this rowdy and boisterous holiday event for all ages

Peking Acrobats – January 11

Transforming 2000-year-old athletic disciplines into an all-ages kaleidoscope of       entertainment and wonder

Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out – January 14

5-time Grammy® winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create a spectacular new musical – one of Broadway’s best shows in years!

American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir – January 21

A powerful celebration of musical icons like Elvis, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and many    more honoring rock and roll’s cultural impact!

Afro-Cuban All Stars – February 17

Known internationally for their album recorded during the Buena Vista Social Club Sessions, Afro Cuban All Stars advances a whole new chapter in Cuban music

Klezmatics – February 24

Hip, hot and holy!  Grammy® Award winning klezmer superstars of the klezmer world

Show Way – March 1

From slavery to freedom, Show Way is a colorful and historical stage adaptation of Jacqueline Woodson’s Newbery Honor book

Cathie Ryan – March 6

Songs from the heart, don’t miss the crystalline vocals of Celtic sprite Cathie Ryan

Intergalactic Nemesis: A Comic Radio Play – March 7-8

Experience a 1930’s radio show as a member of the live audience in an exciting adventure that is one part Star Wars, one part Raiders of the Lost Ark.  It rocks!

Bruce Feiler – March 12

Author and PBS Host will take you on a fascinating adventure that brings three of the world’s religions vividly to life.

Pushcart Players present Red Riding Hood and Other Stories – March 20

Take a fabulous journey into once upon a time with this collection of timeless tales for the entire family

Big Bad VooDoo Daddy – April 3

One of the hottest and hippest swing bands today with influences from Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino and the Dirty Dozen Marching Band

Altar Boyz – April 9

An award-winning new musical that is full of sharp and silly parody is a spoof about heavenly boy-band has audiences and critics alike cheering ‘Hallelujah!’

3 Redneck Tenors: A New Musical Adventure – April 17

A comical trio of Beethoven and light beer, Mozart and NASCAR, and Rameau and redneck, making for one spectacularly unusual performance.  Bet ya a can of Copenhagen that you’ve never seen or heard anything like it!

Woven Harmony – April 25

A multi-media performance by Rebecca & Robert Bluestone that explores the healing power of art

An Afternoon of Classic Lily Tomlin – April 26

One of America’s foremost comediennes will brings her most entertaining character to the stage – herself!

Chic Gamine – May 1

With a fresh a cappella spark, the group brings an international flair to their diverse repertoire of songs

Do Jump!: Aerial Dance – May 8

A unique blend of creativity and community spirit, these acrobats turn the world upside down one person at a time

Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway – May 16

Back by popular demand, Neil Berg brilliantly recreates new and classic hit Broadway songs to life in a night of musical theater