Friday, August 26, 2011

25th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables Coming to DeVos Performance Hall


Cameron Mackintosh and Broadway Grand Rapids are delighted to announce that the hugely acclaimed new 25th anniversary production of the World's Longest-Running Musical, Les Miserables, will premiere at DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday, November 29 through Sunday, December 4, 2011. The production features glorious new staging and spectacular reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. For more information on the production and for a video preview, please visit http://www.lesmis.com/.

Tickets go on sale to the public Sunday, September 11 at 9 a.m. with tickets starting at $34.50. Presale tickets are available Tuesday, September 6 at 9 a.m. to members of the Broadway Grand Rapids Eclub. To join the Eclub and receive exclusive presale offers to upcoming shows visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com/eclub.

The New York Times calls this Les Miserables "an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish." The London Times hails the show "a five star hit, astonishingly powerful and as good as the original." The Star-Ledger says "a dynamically re-imagined hit. This Les Miserables has improved with age" and NY1-TV proclaims "this new production actually exceeds the original. The storytelling is clearer, the perspective grittier and the motivations more honest. Music theatre fans can rejoice: Les Miz is born again."

"I'm delighted that 25 years after Les Miz originally opened in London the audience for this marvelous show is bigger and younger than ever before," said producer Cameron Mackintosh. "Over the years I have seen many successful but visually different productions, so it has been exciting to draw inspiration from the brilliant drawings and paintings of Victor Hugo himself, integrated with spectacular projections. The new Les Miz is a magnificent mix of dazzling images and epic staging, driving one of the greatest musical stories ever told."

Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Miserables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of Les Miserables includes the classic songs "I dreamed a dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Master Of The House" and many more.

Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Boubil and Schonberg's Les Miserables has music by Claude-Michael Schonberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer from the original French text by Alain Boubil and Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley, inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and additional costumes by Christine Rowlands, lighting by Paule Constable, and sound by Mick Potter.

Les Miserables originally opened in London at the Barbican Theatre on October 8, 1985, transferred to the Palace Theatre on December 4, 1985 and moved to its current home at the Queen's Theatre on April 3, 2004 where it continues to play to packed houses. When Les Miserables celebrated its 21st London birthday on October 8, 2006, it became the World's Longest-Running Musical, surpassing the record previously held by Cats in London's West End.

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the legendary musical Les Miserables made theatrical history with an international first-three different productions in London at the same time. The Original Production (still playing to packed houses at the Queen's Theatre), the acclaimed New 25th anniversary Production at the Barbican (where the show originally premiered) and a celebratory concert at The O2 Arena. The O2 Concert was presented in over 500 cinemas throughout the United States on November 17, 2010 and is now available on Blu-ray DVD through Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

The Broadway production of Les Miserables originally opened at the Broadway Theatre on March 12, 1987 and transferred to the Imperial Theatre on October 17, 1990 running for 6,680 performances. The US National Tour began in November 1987 and visited over 150 cities before closing in St. Louis, MO in 2006. Broadway audiences welcomed Les Miz back to New York on November 9, 2006 where the show played the Broadhurst Theatre until its final performance on January 6, 2008. To date, Les Miserables remains the 3rd longest-running Broadway production of all time.

Seen by nearly 60 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 21 languages, Les Miserables is undisputedly one of the world's most popular musicals ever written, with new productions continually opening around the globe, with seven more currently scheduled. There have been 36 cast recordings of Les Miserables, including the multi-platinum London cast recording, the Grammy Award-winning Broadway cast and complete symphonic albums and the soon to be released live recording of the New 25th Anniversary Production. Cameron Mackintosh is currently developing a film of Les Miserables with Working Title and Universal.


Les Miserables will be performed at DeVos Performance Hall on the following schedule:


Tuesday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m.


Wednesday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m.


Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m.


Friday, December 2 at 8:00 p.m.


Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.


Sunday, December 4 at 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.


Les Miserables is affordably priced from $34.50 and will perform 8 shows at DeVos Performance Hall from November 29-December 4, 2011. Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1-800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 616-742-6185 or e-mail groupsales@smggr.com.


For more information on the 2011-2012 Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids Series visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com.


Les Miserables is a co-presentation of Broadway Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Ballet Company.


Grand Rapids engagement is welcomed by Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, Crowe Horwath, LLP, Steelcase, Inc., and The Sharpe Collection




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Dior Makes "You" Wedding Day Beautiful for Upcoming Bridal Show

Kohler Expos, Inc. announced today that they have formed a partnership with Dior Cosmetics in conjunction with their upcoming bridal show.

"We are very pleased with the formation of this partnership," says Denise Kolesar, President of Kohler Expos, Inc. Kolesar continues, "With this partnership, Dior Cosmetics will be a highlight at the upcoming bridal show September 16 and 17. Dior will have four interactive spaces featuring make-up touch-ups, hand massages, fragrance samples, and a chance to win a beautiful gift basket full of Dior products."

Brides will also have an opportunity to win a pampering experience presented by Dior. This prize will include a mini facial, color application, hand massage, secret tips and tricks to look your wedding day best, and a deluxe size fragrance for the bride and her bridesmaids. The prize will include the mother of the bride and groom.

Kohler Expos promotes and produces three bridal showers a year. Kicking off the wedding planning season, the Annual Fall Bridal Show of West Michigan on September 16-17, is a two-day show in DeVos Place on Monroe Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids.

All under one roof... A variety of exhibits will be on hand, including an exhibit featuring "Seasons of Love." "Table decor highlighting the four seasons of love will give you the visual you need for a beautiful setting," says Denise Kolesar, President of Kohler Expos. Exhibits include:



  • Bridal Shops

  • Tuxedo Shops

  • Invitations

  • Reception Facilities

  • Photographers & Videographers

  • Honeymoon & Destination Weddings

  • Decor & Flowers

  • Disc Jockeys

  • Bridal Registry & Cookware

  • Wedding Favors

  • Photo Booth

  • Finding Your New Home

  • Cosmetics and Health

  • Limousine & Party Buses

  • Show discounts from vendors

  • Register to Win CASH & Prizes.

The event will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17.


More than 200 gowns will be displayed during three runway fashion shows throughout the weekend. Runway fashion shows presented Friday evening at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12 and 2 p.m.


Admission is $6 at the door. Discount coupons are available on-line by visiting the website at www.kohlerexpo.com. Convenient underground parking is available for a minimal charge at the Michigan Street or Lyon Street entrance to DeVos Place. More information is available on the Internet at www.kohlerexpo.com.


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Mid-Life Crisis —The Band Celebrates 10 Years

Popular West Michigan band Mid-Life Crisis (MLC) celebrates its 10-year anniversary by putting on a special all-star benefit concert at DeVos Performance Hall on Friday, September 30 with all proceeds going to the hunger relief organization, Kids’ Food Basket (KFB).

The Concert will feature performances by musical friends Brian Vander Ark, Troll For Trout, Domestic Problems’ Andy & Billy, and others. The show will also include appearances by local celebrities such as George Heartwell, Tony Gates, John Gonzalez and others. These musical and celebrity friends of MLC have all worked with the band over the years on numerous philanthropic projects to help our community. The show will culminate with a special performance by MLC, followed by an all-star jam.


Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with special lobby entertainment and viewing of the Kids’ Food Basket ArtPrize entry. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $20 (additional fees may apply) and will be available at the DeVos Place box office or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000, or Ticketmaster outlets. The show is sponsored in part by the Fifth Third Bank, Pearson Entertainment, The Grand Rapids Press and Citadel Broadcasting.


Mid-Life Crisis (MLC) is based in West Michigan and features a strong rhythm section, horns and seven singers, specializing in classic rock and original music. For ten years, MLC has performed hundreds of shows all over West Michigan, and is very proud of its commitment to local charities and benefits. More details at www.mlcband.com.


Kids’ Food Basket (KFB) is a Grand Rapids based force for "Attacking Childhood Hunger in greater Grand Rapids." Childhood hunger denies dignity, robs kids of their energy, and undermines our community’s stability. The nonprofit began over eight years ago by serving 125 kids each school day through a sack supper program and now serves 4,000 kids every school day, plus thousands more at local sites all through the summer. Kids' Food Basket is the only organization of its kind locally dedicated to attacking childhood hunger. Join the attack at www.kidsfoodbasket.org.