|
Press Releases
Feb. 27, 2007
Contact:
Dale B. Stark
Public Relations Manager
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
(515) 246-2363 : desk
(515) 770-3253 : cell
dstark@civiccenter.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE WORLD-FAMOUS RADIO CITY ROCKETTES® HEADLINE CIVIC CENTER’S 2007-2008 BETTS BROADWAY SERIES IN THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR®
• The new season features 2004 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical AVENUE Q and current Broadway hit THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
• Additional shows to be announced
DES MOINES, Iowa - Thanks to the assistance of some special visitors from afar, the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines was able to put an especially entertaining "kick" into its 2007-2008 Betts Broadway Series season announcement today.
Six of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, along with Santa Claus, performed on the Civic Center's Main Stage as they joined Civic Center President Jeff Chelesvig in announcing that the series' headline production, the RADIO CITY CHRlSTMAS SPECTACULAR will make its Iowa premiere with a 46- performance engagement in December 2007. Aside from a multiple-year run in Branson, Missouri, Des Moines is the smallest city in the world to present this family-friendly production - complete with dazzling scenery, costumes, lighting, an awe-inspiring live nativity scene, and of course, the high kicks and precision dancing of the Radio City Rockettes.
"We've been negotiating this production for a few years now," said Chelesvig. "There is simply no other show that celebrates the holidays like Radio City Christmas Spectacular! This will be an absolutely fabulous experience for the whole family!" Chelesvig added that Des Moines is presenting this show before larger cities in the region such as Kansas City and Omaha, which is why the Civic Center anticipates that many of the 128,000 potential audience members will come from surrounding states.
In addition to Des Moines - and New York City - the Christmas Spectacular will also be presented in Chicago, Nashville, Costa Mesa, Phoenix and Tampa this holiday season.
Along with the RADIO CITY CHRlSTMAS SPECTACULAR, the entire Betts Broadway Series offers something for all theater tastes, including several Broadway productions new to the Civic Center stage.
Other series highlights include the professional touring productions of two current Broadway hits. AVENUE Q won three 2004® Tony Awards, including Best Score, Best Book and the highly coveted Best Musical honor. Combining human interaction and puppetry, this raucous, hip and hysterical production will be presented at the Civic Center in its first national tour in November 2007, having recently closed an exclusive engagement at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Also currently on Broadway is the hilarious musical comedy THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Winner of two 2005 Tony Awards®, including Best Book of a Musical, this will be presented in April 2008.
A dramatic play is also featured in the line-up. Actor Richard Thomas will star in the critically acclaimed play TWELVE ANGRY MEN, a story where a seemingly open-and-shut case becomes a twisted puzzle of prejudice and intrigue for twelve jurors who must determine the fate of a defendant. Additional shows and prices of the 2007-2008 Betts Broadway Series will be announced at a later time.
"We're really trying to diversify our programming within the Betts Broadway Series, beyond presenting only musicals," Chelesvig said, "and offering world-class dramatic plays is a part of that." This past December, the play DOUBT earned high praise with its audiences, and Chelesvig expects a similar response to TWELVE ANGRY MEN, as well.
The best way to ensure priority seating is by becoming a Betts Broadway Series Season Ticket holder. Season Ticket holders receive top priority when ordering tickets, which ultimately leads to securing the best seats in the house. The renewal process for current season ticket holders is expected to begin in early April; those wishing to purchase a Season Ticket package for the first time may place their orders in early May. More information can be obtained by visiting the Civic Center Web site at www.CivicCenter.org.
In total, the 2007-2008 Betts Broadway Series boasts winners in all the major Tony categories including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Actor in a Musical.
"These shows attract a phenomenal amount of attention to our city," said Chelesvig. "The entire season showcases Des Moines as a destination for the highest caliber of Broadway entertainment. The Civic Center will drive significant tourism and economic impact as a result.” The Radio City Christmas Spectacular will draw a potential audience of 125,000 througout its three week engagement.
Said Chelesvig, “Iowans consistently place a high value on professional live theater and demand Broadway’s best and newest. This season, we’re delivering both - making the Civic Center Central Iowa’s Broadway home.”
Groups of 20 or more can reserve their tickets now for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. For group reservations and discounts, please call 515-246-2300. For more information, visit www.CivicCenter.org.
For additional information, or to request an interview with Jeff Chelesvig, Civic Center President & CEO, please contact Dale B. Stark, Public Relations Manager at (515) 246-2363 or dstark@civiccenter.org
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is a private not-for-profit corporation celebrating 27 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states. It is the presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is the performing home of many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony and StageWest. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Betts Auto Campus.
###
|
RETURN TO PRESS ROOM
