FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2009 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 The Best of Times Coming Soon in the Broadway Center's 2009-10 Season Tacoma, WA- The Broadway Center is working hard to bring "the best of times" to Tacoma in the 2009-10 season, which begins on October 8 through June 20. Tickets are on sale now for Broadway Center Members and multi-show ticket packages of four or more events. General public single tickets will be on sale Monday, August 3 at 11am. The 26th Broadway Center Season will feature a variety of genres that promise extraordinary experiences. From musical acts Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt, Gaelic Storm, Seattle Men's and Women's Chorus and Ladysmith Black Mambazo to famous voices like Ira Glass and Smothers Brothers, to ballet and hip-hop with Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble and Soul Street Dance Co, the season offers entertainment throughout the year. New this year and in partnership with The Grand Cinema is The Cary Grant Screwball Comedy Film Festival. Pink Martini leads the season on opening night, Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Pantages Theater. Considered one of the hottest bands today, Pink Martini is a 'little orchestra' with a colossal sound. Their eclectic splash of world music features songs in Spanish, English, French, Italian, Japanese and Croatian. "The Broadway Center promises the 2009-10 Season will keep your spirit alive and nurtured. We encourage the community to gather at the theaters, their theaters to find joy, comfort and relief. This season is the perfect justification to stay close to home and buy local," said David Fischer, BCPA Executive Director. The Broadway Center Conservatory and Education programs continue to be recognized for their leadership in the South Puget Sound serving more than 26,000 students in Pierce County. The combination of programs provide the largest performing arts education programs in Washington State. As a long-time Kennedy Center Partner in Education, the school-time programming has been intentionally selected to meet the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements. Broadway Center also offers Graduate Teacher Training courses, partnering 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 beginning this summer with Alice in Wonderland. The Broadway Center is home to many of Tacoma's Resident Arts Organizations: 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. Broadway Center will continue to partner with the newest local acting company, Theatre Northwest to co-present two shows in 2009-10 - A Streetcar Named Desire in October and The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge in December. In this unique partnership Broadway Center is responsible for all associated administrative costs and Theatre Northwest is responsible for production costs. By utilizing each organization's strengths and abilities, each organization has independent fiscal responsibility and accountability in bringing professional theater to Tacoma. Broadway Center Member and multi-show ticket packages of four or more events are on sale now. Advance multi-show ticket buyers will receive one free parking pass per show, when purchasing four or more events on or before July 26, 2009. General public tickets are on sale Monday, August 3, 2009. Broadway Center Member's receive access to the best seats and many valuable advantages and benefits. To find out more information on how to become a Member, request a brochure or order tickets contact the 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 <http://www.broadwaycenter.org/> . ### For hi-resolution press photos, visit the Broadway Center's Press Room online <http://www.broadwaycenter.org/press/season-visuals.asp> . Broadway Center: 2009-10 Season: By Date Pink Martini Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater A Pacific Northwest favorite, Pink Martini is known internationally for their "little orchestra" that unifies world melodies and rhythms Theatre Northwest presents 7 shows A Streetcar Named Desire October 9 - 25, 2009 | Theatre on the Square The cultural touchstone written by American playwright Tennessee Williams An Acoustic Evening with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt On Stage Together Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Grammy nominated legends and revered musicians will take the stage with only their guitars to back them up August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Washington State History Museum This staged reading of August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle 3 confronts race, artistic differences and generation gaps with Ma Rainey and her band Cary Grant Film Festival: Arsenic and Old Lace Friday, October 30, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Theatre on the Square A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his fiancée's aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family Comedy Night: Will Durst and Chris Bliss Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Outraged and outrageous comedians bring smart, insightful humor and fresh new voices to the stage An Evening with Randy Cohen Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.| Pantages Theater Join New York Times Magazine's columnist of "The Ethicist" Holiday Movie: The Polar Express and 64th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Tree Lighting to follow at 5:00 p.m. Pantages Theater Embrace the holiday season with a special showing of The Polar Express and the 64th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Seattle Men's Chorus: Santa Baby Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater Make it your tradition: carols spiced with unique tributes to the spirited holiday TV specials and the return of Silent Night Theatre Northwest presents 9 shows The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge December 4 - 20, 2009 | Theatre on the Square A cross between Dickens and a rollicking trip down pop culture memory lane, this is a phantasmagorical show with irreverent Christmas cheer Théâtre Sans Fils presents The Hobbit Friday, January 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Life-size puppets bring to life the story and wonderful journey of Bilbo Baggins, based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien Gaelic Storm Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Channeling the rowdy feel of an Irish pub with driving pipe sets and spirited fiddle in a swirl of Irish tunes Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Friday, January 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater A tour de force and one of the nation's great modern dance companies brings one-act ballets, dance suites and pas de deux to stage Ira Glass: Radio Stories and Other Stories Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater "This American Life" host and producer will give you a chance to look under the hood of his public radio broadcast The Smothers Brothers Friday, February 5, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Celebrating their 50 years performing together, Tom and Dick use folk music and comedy to bring sibling rivalry to a whole new level August Wilson's The Piano Lesson Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Washington State History Museum This staged reading of August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle 4 follows a family divided by the fate of their heirloom piano and is an appropriate reminder of heritage during Black History Month Soul Street Dance Co. Friday, February 12, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Rialto Theater High-energy movement that will take you from Brazil's Capoeira to New York's break dance through hip-hop and dance Cary Grant Film Festival: Philadelphia Story Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Theatre on the Square When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself Defending the Caveman 6 Shows! | March 11 - 25, 2009 | Theatre on the Square An insightful comedy about the ongoing battle for understanding between the sexes Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Friday, March 19, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Rialto Theater Known for the musical hallmark of Ken Burns' The Civil War on PBS, Ashokan Farewell, you'll hear a wide range of musical styles from 19th century classics to lively fiddle fare Ladysmith Black Mambazo Friday, March 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Intricate rhythms and harmonies of South African musical tradition to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music Cary Grant Film Festival: His Girl Friday Friday, April 2, 2010 | Theatre on the Square Story of a newspaper editor who uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying Cirque D'Or Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater The Golden Dragon Acrobats present an award-winning show with spectacular costumes and visually stunning traditions that began more than 25 centuries ago CABARET Friday, April 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Join a zany crew at Berlin's Kit-Kat Club that are determined to show the world what a good time can be had without hearing the noises of Nazism surrounding their delightful story Michael Cooper's Masked Marvels and Wondertales Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater Eye-popping visual arts will dazzle audiences of all ages in this one-man extravaganza of handcrafted masks, original stories of courage and wonder, outlandish stilt dancing and moving sculpture On Ensemble Friday, May 28, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Rialto Theater Taking the ancient instruments of taiko into new realms that range from hip-hop and electronica to Tuvan throat singing Seattle Men's and Women's Chorus: Glitter and be Gay Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater For the first time in Tacoma, Seattle Men's and Women's Chorus combine in a tribute to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim Broadway Center: 2009-10 Season: By Genre COMEDY AND IDEAS Comedy Night: Will Durst and Chris Bliss Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Outraged and outrageous comedians bring smart, insightful humor and fresh new voices to the stage An Evening with Randy Cohen Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.| Pantages Theater Join New York Times Magazine's columnist of "The Ethicist" Ira Glass: Radio Stories and Other Stories Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater "This American Life" host and producer will give you a chance to look under the hood of his public radio broadcast The Smothers Brothers Friday, February 5, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Celebrating their 50 years performing together, Tom and Dick use folk music and comedy to bring sibling rivalry to a whole new level DANCE AND CIRQUE Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Friday, January 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater A tour de force and one of the nation's great modern dance companies brings one-act ballets, dance suites and pas de deux to stage Soul Street Dance Co. Friday, February 12, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Rialto Theater High-energy movement that will take you from Brazil's Capoeira to New York's break dance through hip-hop and dance Cirque D'Or Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater The Golden Dragon Acrobats present an award-winning show with spectacular costumes and visually stunning traditions that began more than 25 centuries ago THEATRE AND FILM Theatre Northwest presents 7 shows A Streetcar Named Desire October 9 - 25, 2009 | Theatre on the Square The cultural touchstone written by American playwright Tennessee Williams August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Washington State History Museum This staged reading of August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle 3 confronts race, artistic differences and generation gaps with Ma Rainey and her band Cary Grant Film Festival: Arsenic and Old Lace Friday, October 30, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Theatre on the Square A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his fiancée's aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family Holiday Movie: The Polar Express and 64th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Tree Lighting to follow at 5:00 p.m. Pantages Theater Embrace the holiday season with a special showing of The Polar Express and the 64th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Theatre Northwest presents 9 shows The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge December 4 - 20, 2009 | Theatre on the Square A cross between Dickens and a rollicking trip down pop culture memory lane, this is a phantasmagorical show with irreverent Christmas cheer Théâtre Sans Fils presents The Hobbit Friday, January 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Life-size puppets bring to life the story and wonderful journey of Bilbo Baggins, based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien August Wilson's The Piano Lesson Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Washington State History Museum This staged reading of August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle 4 follows a family divided by the fate of their heirloom piano and is an appropriate reminder of heritage during Black History Month Cary Grant Film Festival: The Philadelphia Story Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Theatre on the Square When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself Defending the Caveman 6 Shows! | March 11 - 25, 2009 | Theatre on the Square An insightful comedy about the ongoing battle for understanding between the sexes Cary Grant Film Festival: His Girl Friday Friday, April 2, 2010 | Theatre on the Square Story of a newspaper editor who uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying CABARET Friday, April 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Join a zany crew at Berlin's Kit-Kat Club that are determined to show the world what a good time can be had without hearing the noises of Nazism surrounding their delightful story Michael Cooper's Masked Marvels and Wondertales Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater Eye-popping visual arts will dazzle audiences of all ages in this one-man extravaganza of handcrafted masks, original stories of courage and wonder, outlandish stilt dancing and moving sculpture MUSIC AND CONCERTS Pink Martini Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater A Pacific Northwest favorite, Pink Martini is known internationally for their "little orchestra" that unifies world melodies and rhythms An Acoustic Evening with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt On Stage Together Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Grammy nominated legends and revered musicians will take the stage with only their guitars to back them up Seattle Men's Chorus: Santa Baby Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater Make it your tradition: carols spiced with unique tributes to the spirited holiday TV specials and the return of Silent Night Gaelic Storm Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Channeling the rowdy feel of an Irish pub with driving pipe sets and spirited fiddle in a swirl of Irish tunes Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Friday, March 19, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Rialto Theater Known for the musical hallmark of Ken Burns' The Civil War on PBS, Ashokan Farewell, you'll hear a wide range of musical styles from 19th century classics to lively fiddle fare Ladysmith Black Mambazo Friday, March 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Pantages Theater Intricate rhythms and harmonies of South African musical tradition to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music On Ensemble Friday, May 28, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. | Rialto Theater Taking the ancient instruments of taiko into new realms that range from hip-hop and electronica to Tuvan throat singing Seattle Men's and Women's Chorus: Glitter and be Gay Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. | Pantages Theater For the first time in Tacoma, Seattle Men's and Women's Chorus combine in a tribute to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim