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Riley-Jacques Barn at Lake Riley - Map
August 11-13
All information can be found at www.EdenPrairiePlayers.com |
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 For immediate release
January 6, 2010
FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOOTLOOSE – the Musical! – “CUTS LOOSE” ON
CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES’ MAIN STAGE!
FOOTLOOSE – the MUSICAL will play on the Main Stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres for the first time ever. Based on the 1984 hit film that captured the hearts of America, FOOTLOOSE was freshly reinvented as a successful Broadway musical in 1998, with music by Tom Snow, Kenny Loggins (and others), lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. The show ran for more than two years on Broadway (1998-2000) and went on to enjoy West End productions, British national tours, US national tours, and a 10th anniversary American national tour, between 2000-2008. FOOTLOOSE the MUSICAL! previews from January 29 through February 4, with grand opening festivities on Friday, February 5.
FOOTLOOSE begins with Ren MacCormack, an ordinary street kid from Chicago, who is forced to move with his mother to Bomont, a small, puritanical, Texas town, after his father abandons the family. To Ren’s shock, dancing and rock ’n’ roll are forbidden – an edict placed upon the community by Reverend Shaw Moore, following a horrifying car accident involving four teens returning home from a dance. The Reverend’s daughter Ariel, rebels against her father and his stern practices. It doesn’t take Ren long to shake up the status quo, and soon the students are on their feet sending the town into a frenzy. Musical hits include: “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” “Holdin’ Out For A Hero,” “Almost Paradise,” “The Girl Gets Around” and the rousing title song “Footloose.”
Resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi finds a deeper message in the story of FOOTLOOSE, “Sure. This is a tremendously fun, high-energy musical with loads of youthful spirit, awesome choreography, acrobatics, and upbeat music. The story takes place in a town where dancing’s illegal. But the real story is what truly drives this piece, and it’s about the importance of building bridges between people and strengthening the bonds between parents and their kids. It’s a light-hearted musical with real substance of heart and soul. That’s what grips me about this show.”
Interestingly, Brindisi’s daughter, a college student, recently played the role of Ariel in FOOTLOOSE at the University of Minnesota/Duluth. (Duluth’s production is now playing overseas in Turkey with a student theatre exchange program.) Brindisi had the opportunity to see the Duluth production last spring and was moved by it. So much so that he made contact with playwright, Dean Pitchford. The two entered into lengthy discussions on the musical as Brindisi was researching to direct the work for Chanhassen. Pitchford was pleased that Brindisi had seen beyond the obvious, “Michael “gets” FOOTLOOSE in a way that most directors never do. It’s so easy and convenient to play the kids as lightweight clichés, just as it’s a common pitfall to play Reverend Moore as a Bible-thumping hard nose. But this isn’t a story about a town where you can’t dance. It’s a story about a man who has lost his son and a boy who has lost his father. The question of a dance is merely the catalyst that pushes them both through their pain and out the other side.”
Brindisi collaborates with his creative team of artists. Kyle Clausen serves as musical director, and Tamara Kangas Erickson as choreographer. Designers: Nayna Ramey for scenery; Rich Hamson for costumes; Sue Ellen Berger for lighting; Russ Haynes for sound and Susan Magnuson for hair/makeup. Production Stage Manager is Robin Macgregor.
THE CAST
Ren McCormack Ben Bakken
Reverend Shaw Moore David Anthony Brinkley
Ariel Moore Zoe Pappas
Willard Hewitt Brian Skellenger
Rusty Jodi Carmeli
Vi Moore Michelle Barber
Ethel McCormack Janet Hayes Trow
Urleen Maria Stukey
Lulu Tinia Moulder
Wendy Jo Nikkie Kromminga
Travis Brendan Bujold
Jeter Rico Heisler
Chuck Cranston Jared Oxborough
Principal Clark Mark King
Garvin Chad Anderson
Coach Dunbar Keith Rice
Cop Jay Albright
Eleanor Dena Rice
Wes Martin Ruben
Bickle Michael Brafford
Ensemble Boys & Girls: Lisa Bartholomew, Megan Kelly Hubbell, Maureen Sherman-Mendez, Sean Nugent, Jeff Quast
FOOTLOOSE will be performed eight times weekly with evening performances Tuesday through Sunday and matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Dinner and show ticket prices are as follows: Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday evenings $66; Friday $76; Saturday evening $76; Wednesday and Saturday matinee $66; and Sunday $67. Show only tickets are available ten days prior to performance. For tickets and information call the theatre box office at (952) 934-1525 or (800) 362-3515, or go online to www.ChanhassenDT.com
For an interview, contact Kris Howland at 952-934-1540 or
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For photos: Go to ChanhassenDT.com, then to the drop down menu labeled: INFORMATION. Click on Press Connection and enter Password and Username: “Press.” More Footloose images to come.
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News Release
Contact: Jennifer Bauer
612-547-1459
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Sweet Honey In The Rock to join VocalEssence Chorus
in 20th annual WITNESS concert
  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (November 16, 2009) – Every year since 1991 Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence have honored the choral music of African American composers in the yearly WITNESS concert. The 20th annual WITNESS performance will be a very special celebration as the VocalEssence Chorus is joined by the acclaimed women’s vocal ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock®. The concert takes place on Sunday, February 14, 2010 (4 pm) at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. Classical Minnesota Public Radio’s John Birge will host a Pre-Concert Conversation at 3 pm with composer Ysaye Barnwell, a member of Sweet Honey In The Rock.
Tickets for WITNESS are $20-$40 (Service charges apply. Student tickets are half-price and group discounts are available.) For tickets and information, call 651-224-4222 or visit www.vocalessence.org/witness-2010.
The first half of the WITNESS concert will feature Sweet Honey In The Rock performing some of their signature a cappella arrangements, followed by the 100-voice VocalEssence Chorus singing “Truth Pressed to Earth Shall Rise” by Sweet Honey’s own Ysaye Barnwell, “Folks, I’m Telling You” by Twin Cities composer Elizabeth Alexander, and “Give Me Your Hand” by John Work III.
The second half of the concert, created by Ysaye Barnwell and Philip Brunelle, will incorporate the theme of activism in labor, civil rights, and peace. The groups will sing union songs such as “Step By Step,” “More than a Paycheck,” and Philip Brunelle’s arrangement of “Solidarity Forever.” The ensembles will perform a civil rights medley culminating in Rosephanye Powell’s “I Dream A World.”
Representing the theme of peace, the VocalEssence Chorus will sing a setting of Dag Hammarskjöld’s words, “Thou Who Art Over Us,” and Sweet Honey will present “Let There Be Peace” and “Study War No More.” The finale (involving the audience) will be a setting of “This Little Light of Mine.”
Signing for the hearing-impaired has long been an important part of Sweet Honey’s concerts. For the first time at any VocalEssence concert, all the music will be sign language interpreted.
For press information and photographs related to WITNESS, please contact Jennifer Bauer (612-547-1459,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) or visit the press section of www.vocalessence.org.
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Founded in 1969, VocalEssence explores music for voices and instruments under the enthusiastic direction of conductor Philip Brunelle.
VocalEssence | 1900 Nicollet Avenue | Minneapolis, MN 55403 | www.vocalessence.org
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News Release
Contact: Jennifer Bauer
612-547-1459
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Vocalessence Witness: Sweet Honey in the Rock
Grammy-nominated a cappella vocal ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock joins the VocalEssence Chorus and conductor Philip Brunelle for an uplifting celebration of hope, love, and justice. Inspired by African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock mixes blues, spirituals, gospel, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and improvisation to create the soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms that have made them famous.
Ordway Theater
Sun February 14, 2010, 4:00PM
Ordway Main Hall
www.vocalessence.org
www.ordway.org
Image of VocalEssence ¡Cantare! Program at Eden Prarie High School
A choir member learns to make sounds with a conch shell while performing visiting composer Jorge Cozatl's music at Eden Prairie High School. To download high resolution for press use, click on "original" below the photo. Photo Credit: Stephen Maturen
 Vocalessence Witness: Sweet Honey in the Rock
Grammy-nominated a cappella vocal ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock joins the VocalEssence Chorus and conductor Philip Brunelle for an uplifting celebration of hope, love, and justice. Inspired by African American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock mixes blues, spirituals, gospel, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and improvisation to create the soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms that have made them famous.
Ordway Theater
Sun February 14, 2010, 4:00PM
Ordway Main Hall
www.vocalessence.org
www.ordway.org
Image of VocalEssence ¡Cantare! Program at Eden Prarie High School A choir member learns to make sounds with a conch shell while performing visiting composer Jorge Cozatl's music at Eden Prairie High School.
read more...
For immediate release
January 6, 2010
FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOOTLOOSE – the Musical! – “CUTS LOOSE” ON
CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES’ MAIN STAGE!
FOOTLOOSE – the MUSICAL will play on the Main Stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres for the first time ever. Based on the 1984 hit film that captured the hearts of America, FOOTLOOSE was freshly reinvented as a successful Broadway musical in 1998, with music by Tom Snow, Kenny Loggins (and others), lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. The show ran for more than two years on Broadway (1998-2000) and went on to enjoy West End productions, British national tours, US national tours, and a 10th anniversary American national tour, between 2000-2008. FOOTLOOSE the MUSICAL! previews from January 29 through February 4, with grand opening festivities on Friday, February 5.
read more...
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Eden Prairie Players