Theatre Building Chicago announces 12th annual STAGES - a festival of new musical: August 12-14, 2005

CHICAGO (PRWEB) August 3, 2005

Theatre Building Chicago presents STAGES 2005: a festival of new musicals beginning Friday, August 12 and continuing thru Sunday, August 14, 2004.

The three-day musical extravaganza features nine new works including musicals by homegrown Chicago writers Georgann Joseph & Janet Preus (EVER AFTER) as well as Dave Hudson and Paul Libman (BRINGERS - 2005 Richard Rodgers award, best new musical). STAGES, a festival of new musicals is Theatre Building Chicago?s 12th annual showcase for new musical theatre works-in-progress. The new musicals include stories of fairy tale love (The Frog Prince) and murder (THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF DR. CRIPPEN), Hollywood hell (THE DEVIL AND DEXTER WEBSTER).

STAGES kick-off gala (6PM reception; 7:30pm performance, Fri., Aug. 12) will include pre-show cocktail & hors ?d?oeurves followed by the world premiere of BRINGERS, winner of the 2005 Richard Rodgers award for best new musical. Guests will have a chance to meet the entire festival of authors & artists involved, including the award-winning creators of BRINGERS, local writers Dave Hudson and Paul Libman. A post-show cocktail reception will conclude the opening night festivities.

Now in its twelfth season, STAGES 2005 renews its commitment to musicals in development and the artists who make musicals possible. At STAGES, audiences are given the opportunity to partner with the writers in a creative atmosphere that encourages honest sharing and invaluable feedback. The presentations range from concert readings to staged studio presentations. All musicals are offered in their entirety, back to back throughout the weekend.

THEATRE BUILDING CHICAGO?s musical program offers an array of new works in multiple ?stages? of development. TBC nurtures new works through its Musical Theatre Writers? Workshop and collaborates with theatre companies & artists throughout the country to develop new musicals. TBC has produced over 100 Chicago premieres of new musicals, first seen as ?Monday Night Musicals? concert readings and educational outreach performances as well as fully staged studio presentations. STAGES is just one of the numerous highlights of the season for the nationally recognized TBC Musical Development program. Headed for Artistic Director John Sparks, Theatre Building Chicago boasts several successful alumni including Tony award-winner Mark Hollmann (Urinetown), Susan DiLallo (Kleban & Richard Rodgers award winner - Once Upon a Time in New Jersey) & Dave Hudson and Paul Libman (BRINGERS - 2005 Richard Rodgers award, best new musical).

WHAT: STAGES 2005 ? a marathon weekend of NINE new musicals

WHEN: STAGES kick-off gala (6PM reception; 7:30PM performance, Fri., Aug. 12) Curtain times range from 9AM-7:30PM, Sat.- Sun., Aug. 13-14

BRUNCH: 11:15AM, Sun., 8/14, followed by DIRECTORS? FORUM: 11:45AM

WHERE (box office): 1225 W Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL | BOX OFFICE Phone: 773.327.5252

TICKETS: $ 75 - STAGES kick-off gala tickets | $ 85 - STAGES PASS offering entry to all nine musicals both Sat. & Sun., 8/13-14, includes DIRECTORS? FORUM on 8/14); $ 20 ? BRUNCH, 11:15AM, Sun., 8/14. $ 15 - Single tickets will be sold at the door as available.

STAGES 2005 presents FRIDAY NIGHT KICK-OFF OPENING

(6PM reception; 7:30PM performance, Fri., Aug. 12):

BRINGERS

Music by Paul Libman, Lyrics and Concept by Dave Hudson

7:30pm ? Friday, August 12 ? 12:30pm ? Saturday, August 13th

Inspired by the poetry of Carl Sandburg, this original musical joyfully explores the repeating cycle of life in the Midwest. Bringers draws on American music traditions from folk to jazz, evoking the images and emotions of the American landscape. ?2005 Richard Rodgers award, best new musical

SUMMER SHORTS ? A Double Bill of One Acts

????THE BIG ENDING

????Book, Music and Lyrics by Shrubshall & Free

????THE BIG BEGINNING

????Music by Ross Källing, Book and Lyrics by Scott Guy

3:30pm ? Saturday, August 13th ? 3:45pm ? Sunday, August 14th

TBC puts on our summer shorts, offering two new musicals in brief one-acts! Straight from London?s Mercury Musical Developments and Los Angeles? Academy for New Musical Theatre comes an irreverent double-bill about dying musical theatre producers and dead playwrights.

THE DEVIL AND DEXTER WEBSTER

Book & Lyrics by Alex Wexler and Music by Bill Parsley

7:30pm ? Saturday, August 13th ? 9:00am ? Sunday, August 14th

In return for fame and fortune, Hollywood hopeful Dex Webster signs away his soul to Malatoff Dyáblik, film producer and Devil incarnate!

EVER AFTER

Book by Georgann Joseph, Music by Janet Preus, Lyrics by Georgann Joseph & Janet Preus

12:30pm ? Saturday, August 13th ? 6:00pm ? Sunday, August 14th

Karen, a thirty-something attorney, sets out to find the perfect man with the help of her best friend, who thinks that Karen has been sabotaging herself when it comes to love.

THE FROG PRINCE

Book & Lyrics by Charles Leipart and Music by Eric Schorr

3:30pm ? Saturday, August 13th ? 3:45pm ? Sunday, August 14th

Some women marry princes and some women marry frogs. In this wacky, romantic and contemporary version of the classic Grimm fairytale, our Princess meets a frog she is determined to turn into a Prince!

PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD

Book by Richard B. Evans & Kate Hancock, Music by Richard B. Evans, Lyrics by Kate Hancock

9:00am ? Saturday, August 13th ? 1:00pm ? Sunday, August 14th

Irish village life turns upside down when a stranger confesses he?s killed his father. Hero or villain? Irish comedy, romance, music and dance meet Broadway!

THE STRANGE AFFAIR OF DR. CRIPPEN

Book by David Mallamud & Michael L. Cooper, Music by David Mallamud, Lyrics by Michael L. Cooper

9:00am ? Saturday, August 13th ? 1:00pm ? Sunday, August 14th

Set in the dark world of the Edwardian British music hall Crippen tells the unbelievable but true story of a murderous doctor and his doomed wife.

TEVYE

Music by Thomas Adams, Lyrics by J.M. Eisenman, Book by J.M Eisenman and Thomas Adams, Additional Lyrics by Thomas Adams

7:30pm ? Saturday, August 13th ? 9:00am ? Sunday, August 14th

Oy vey, what took so long? Tevye, musical theatre?s beloved Papa, is back in this poignant new story of his struggle to reconcile family and faith with life... in America.

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SWEAT for a VET on NOV 12th to Help Disabled Veterans

Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 06, 2011

Project VisAbility, with Sport&Health Clubs and Diamond Sponsor Myzone, plans to ?SWEAT? twice as much at this year?s second annual SWEAT for a VET event, taking place on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Join hundreds of participants live at Tysons Sport&Health and thousands at SWEAT-a-thons across the nation and around the world, connected and streaming via live video link, to benefit America?s Wounded Warriors and individuals with physical disabilities.

Last year SWEAT for a VET raised over $ 70,000 and purchased Concept2 adaptive rowers, Johnny G Krankcycles? by Matrix and Invacare Top End Handcycles. The Concept2 rowing machines are installed at Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade and Fort Lewis locations, and are available for veterans rehabilitating at those facilities. Krankcycles are at Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC. The Invacare Top End handcycles were delivered to the Walter Reed facility and are being used on campus as well as available for warriors to compete in marathons.

?Receiving this hand cycle through the donations from SWEAT for a VET 2010 is making a huge difference in my ability to train?, says Carlos Evans, a Marine who was deployed in Iraq three times and then in Afghanistan until he was wounded in combat in 2010, resulting in the loss of both legs and his left hand. Currently Evans is part of the Wounded Warrior Battalion East in Walter Reed Medical Center. "When I was first injured, I thought that I would never be independent or able to enjoy any sports. Now all that has changed? When I did the Disney half marathon with a hand cycle, I felt independent and confident that if could do that I could do anything. I don?t feel my injuries and I don't see that I am missing one hand and two legs. What I feel is freedom. And that is priceless.?

This year, challenged athletes and disabled Veterans will again participate and lead the indoor cycling, Kranking? and rowing ?ride? alongside able-bodied individuals and very special guest Johnny G, creator of Spinning? and the new Krankcycle? by Matrix.

?This year?s SWEAT for a VET is going to be much bigger and even better than last year?s event?, said Debbie Miller, president of Project VisAbility and host for the event, ?We have many more clubs hosting SWEAT-a-thons across the country, and money raised at those locations will go to buy equipment for facilities in those areas. We also have a large number on clubs internationally that will join us. For all locations, it?s about helping those with disabilities and promoting inclusive fitness globally.?

On November 12, 2011, join Project VisAbility, Sport&Health Clubs and diamond sponsor Myzone for the second annual SWEAT for a VET event. Participate at the main event site at Tysons Sport&Health in McLean, VA or one of the many SWEAT-a-thons nationally and internationally. The goal is to double the amount raised in 2010 and to donate even more equipmentto VA hospitals and other facilities serving disabled veterans in US locations, where the events are held. For more information, to register to participate, make a donation or sponsor go to the SWEAT for a VET 2011 registration site at http://www.SWEATforaVET.kintera.org. To see highlights from last year?s event or to find a participating club near you, visit the SWEAT for a VET home page at http://www.SWEATforaVET.org. See video invitation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TG-EHFIBO4&feature=player_embedded

About SWEAT for a VET

SWEAT for a VET is a 3-hour ?all cardio? (indoor cycling, rowing, Kranking and whatever!) inclusive fitness fundraising event benefiting wounded warriors within the US and individuals with physical challenges outside the US. The event is hosted by Project VisAbility with Sport&Health Clubs and is held annually on the Saturday of Veteran?s Day weekend. This year the event will take place on Saturday November 12, 2011. The main event site is located at Tysons Sport&Health in McLean, VA with SWEAT-a-thon locations linked through live video streaming across the nation and around the world. Register to participate, donate or sponsor for this year?s event at: http://www.sweatforavet.kintera.org. Donations can be made at any time at http://www.sweatforavet.org.

About Project VisAbility

Project VisAbility promotes and advocates inclusive fitness at the highest, most visible level, through fundraising events and programs that benefit disabled veterans, athletes and others with physical challenges. We help create job opportunities, provide equipment and resources, and expand awareness in the areas of health and fitness by hosting inclusive fundraising events that provide adaptive equipment for wounded warriors in the US and training camps for challenged athletes worldwide,partnering to provide resources for training and developmentfor individuals with physical challenges who want to become group exercise instructors, encouraging clubs to embrace inclusive fitness by offering classes and hiring capable physically challenged instructors to lead them, and promoting inclusive fitness through outreach and media coverage of our programs, events and opportunities. By enabling everyone to exercise together, we inspire joy and celebrate achievement.For more information or to make a donation, please visit http://www.ProjectVisAbility.org.

About Sport&Health Clubs

Since 1973, Sport&Health Clubs has grown to be Washington?s largest family of full-service health clubs and day spas with 25 locations in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Locally owned and operated, Sport&Health Clubs are built around integrating fun and fitness into the busy lifestyles that define our nation's capital and its ever-expanding communities. The Company serves the health and fitness needs of more than 127,000 Washingtonians, with over 2,000 employees, and is one of the top health club companies in the U.S. (based on annual revenues). The clubs feature state-of-the-art fitness equipment, individual and group personal training, group exercise classes for all levels including Pilates, yoga, step, high and low impact, Mixed Martial Arts and more. Many clubs feature tennis, racquetball, squash, basketball, swimming and a KidzKlub, which features a nursery, climbing mazes, dance classes, camps and a variety of junior programs for all ages. Several clubs feature Serenity Day Spa that provides therapeutic massage, body treatments, nail and skin care and hair styling and design. For more information, visit http://www.sportandhealth.com.

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