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

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.

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.

John Mellencamp’s No Better Than This Tour Making A Stop In Grand Rapids

Documentary Film Chronicling The Creation of The “No Better Than This” Album To Open The Show

Concert dates for the next leg of John Mellencamp’s No Better Than This Tour, that began last year in Indiana, have just been announced with a performance set this November 1st at DeVos Performance Hall at 7PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 5th at 10am. Prices are $42, $72, $92 and $125. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone: 800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at the DeVos Place box office during the on-sale and following the on-sale, beginning August 8, 2011.

Mellencamp’s No Better Than This Tour is just back from a run of dates in Ireland, England, Germany, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy. The 17-date tour begins on October 25 at Boston’s Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theater and will be making a stop in Savannah, GA at the Johnny Mercer Theater on November 11.

This Savannah show is of extra significance in light of the fact that sessions for Mellencamp’s critically acclaimed “No Better Than This” album began less than half a mile away at Savannah’s First African Baptist Church. Mellencamp and producer T Bone Burnett would go on to record the rest of the album at Sun Studio in Memphis and in Room 414 of San Antonio's Gunter Hotel where Robert Johnson recorded in 1936. The sessions were documented on a 55-year-old mono tape recorder using just one vintage microphone at each location.

As a reflection of the diversity of styles and material that have been a hallmark of Mellencamp's eclectic career, the No Better Than This concerts are formatted into three segments. These showcase John Mellencamp in an acoustic context, fronting a small combo recalling blues/country and rockabilly roots and with his full rock band. Musicians backing Mellencamp include Michael Wanchic (guitar), Andy York (guitar), Miriam Sturm (violin), John Gunnell (electric and upright bass), Dane Clark (drums and percussion) and Troye Kinnett (accordion/keyboards).

Each of the No Better Than This tour dates will be preceded by a screening of It’s About You, the documentary by filmmakers Kurt and Ian Markus, shot on Super 8, over the course of 2009’s Bob Dylan-John Mellencamp-Willie Nelson tour of minor league baseball stadiums. The hour-long film, both a SXSW Film Festival and Nashville Film Festival selection, chronicles the creation of the No Better Than This album that was recorded on that tour’s off days. The film will be shown at 7 PM at each of the No Better Than This Tour venues so ticket holders are advised to arrive in time to see it.

As was the case with its album namesake, No Better Than This concerts have been the subject of an impressive number of laudatory reviews. A selection of excerpts from those follows. “Mellencamp gloriously proved that not only is he one of America’s treasures, an incredible singer-songwriter and guitarist, he’s also a master at putting together a set.” - Dallas Morning News:

“…A concert that seesawed between facing mortality — full of songs about death — and a stubborn determination to live fully.” - New York Times

“...He maintains remarkable vocal strength. It's an instrument that's perfectly suited to a catalogue of songs that aim to provide a voice to a cast of uncelebrated working-class figures.” - Richmond Times-Dispatch

“His voice, grainy and loaded with gravitas, remains as compelling and as affective as it was the day he recorded ‘Pink Houses’ in 1983. It’s a voice that’s as distinctive as any of his arguably more famous peers, from Dylan to Springsteen to Petty, and like those artists, it’s attached to a man who has kept integrity high on his priority list. Johnny Cash once referred to him as one of the ten best songwriters, and Mellencamp’s newer material didn’t disappoint in a live setting.” - American Songwriter

“..it was a generous show, giving the fans what they wanted, but also allowing the leader to indulge in a more old-school style.” - St Paul Pioneer Press

“This concert was superb from beginning to end, with Mellencamp and his crack band taking a stripped down, neo-folk approach until the last quarter, when he unleashed his rock 'n' roll persona. I'm loath to call anything the best, but if I have to choose, this was the concert of the year in Pittsburgh.” - Pittsburgh Tribune

Broadway Grand Rapids Presents "Come Fly Away"

The new Broadway musical, COME FLY AWAY, conceived, choreographed, and directed by Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp and by special arrangement with the Frank Sinatra Family and Frank Sinatra Enterprises, will open at DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday, October 4 through Sunday, October 9, 2011. Tickets go on sale Sunday, August 7 at 10am to the general public with tickets from $27.50. Presale tickets are available Wednesday, July 27 at 9am to members of the Broadway Grand Rapids Eclub. To join the Eclub and receive exclusive presale offers to upcoming shows visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com/eclub.

COME FLY AWAY is a co-presentation of Broadway Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Ballet Company. The Grand Rapids Ballet Company is thrilled to see Twyla Tharp's choreography returning to West Michigan. Last season's Ballet presentation of the Twyla Tharp choreographed NINE SINATRA SONGS was a runaway hit! COME FLY AWAY is sure to be just as spectacular, combining Twyla Tharp's choreography and Frank Sinatra's crooning once again. Broadway Grand Rapids hopes to build on the excitement and interest in dance generated by nine Sinatra songs, and create a wonderful experience for both theater and dance audiences.

The COME FLY AWAY cast has been invited to participate in the ArtPrize 2011 grand finale and closing ceremonies on Thursday, October 6 at DeVos Performance Hall. The cast will perform as lead-in to the suspense and surprise of the winners’ announcement. Due to this exciting collaboration, the Thursday 7:30pm performance of COME FLY AWAY has been cancelled. Broadway Grand Rapids Thursday night season ticket holders will be given the choice of attending one of the other seven performances.

COME FLY AWAY follows four couples as they fall in and out of love during one song and dance filled evening at a crowded nightclub. Blending the legendary vocals of Frank Sinatra with a live on-stage big band and 14 of the world’s finest dancers, COME FLY AWAY weaves an unparalleled hit parade of classics, including “Fly Me To The Moon,” “My Way,” and “That’s Life,” into a soaring musical fantasy of romance and seduction.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times calls COME FLY AWAY, “Spectacular and dazzling! This is a major new work, with a stage full of brilliant performers. Twyla Tharp’s electrifying celebration of the music of Frank Sinatra will sweep you up in a complete spell.” Linda Winer of Newsday calls the show “A dangerously gorgeous dance adventure,” while Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press calls the show “Astonishing-- A love letter to romance, not to mention the man and his music, with eight marvelous leads and an orchestra of sterling musicians.” And Richard Zoglin of Time Magazine states simply, “COME FLY AWAY delivers the purest jolt of pleasure to be found on a Broadway stage.”

The show’s score combines classic and newly discovered vocal performances from the Sinatra archives, along with Sinatra’s signature arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Quincy Jones, among others, and brand new charts, for this fresh innovative musical.

COME FLY AWAY is affordably priced from $27.50 and will perform 7 shows at DeVos Performance Hall from October 4-9, 2011. Tickets go on sale August 7, 2011. Tickets may be purchased at the DeVos Performance Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.Ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1-800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 616-742-6185 or by e-mailing groupsales@smggr.com.

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

For additional information, please visit www.comeflyaway.com

Taste of Honey Tour Bringing R&B Crooners Tank & Avant To Grand Rapids

Contemporary R&B mainstays Tank and Avant are coming together to perform all their smooth, soulful hits at DeVos Performance Hall on Friday, August 12 at 8PM. Relative newcomer Noel Gourdin will also be on-hand to serenade the fans.

Tickets for the performance are on sale now. Prices are $37.50, $47.50, $52.50, $57.50 and $71.50. Tickets are available at the Van Andel Arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets will also be available at the DeVos Place box office after August 7, 2011.

Tank and Avant have each recorded several albums in their successful careers and garnered solid fan bases respectively. Combined, the two singers have worked with some of the genre’s biggest names including the late Aaliyah, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Donnell Jones, Jamie Foxx, Monica and Chris Brown to show just some of the influence they’ve both had over the last decade.

Since 2001’s “Maybe I Deserve” was all over the R&B charts, Tank has come a long way and was more recently nominated for a 2011 Grammy on his collaboration with Chris Brown’s “Take My Time.” On the heels of his 2010 album, “Now Or Never,” Tank teams up with Avant, whose songs have littered the charts as well. Avant also released an album in late 2010, “The Letter.” Simmering with radio-friendly yet relatable introspections about romance/love, commitment and other realities of life, “The Letter” finds singer/songwriter Avant steady in music’s mainstream ranks – joining such predecessors as Maxwell, Marvin Gaye, and D’Angelo.

Noel Gourdin has recently released his sophomore album, “Fresh: The Definition” last April. The up-and-comer spent much of his childhood in Mississippi, giving his music a big-city edge with a country soul.

This event was scheduled as part of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group’s (CIG) ongoing commitment to bringing diverse yet universal attractions to downtown Grand Rapids.

Clean, Family-friendly Comedian Brian Regan to Entertain DeVos Performance Hall

Critics and peers agree: Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations. Soon, Regan will bring that comedic balance to Grand Rapids. The clean and family-friendly comedian is coming to DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday, October 1st at 8:00pm.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 15th at 10am and are $39.50 each. Tickets will be available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. Brian’s non-stop theater tour has visited more than 80 cities each year since 2005 and continues through 2011. It is the quality of his material, relatable to a wide audience and revered by his peers, which continues to grow Brian’s fan base.

In March of 2010, Brian broke the record for the most consecutive shows by a comedian at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City with five sold out performances. The previous record was four shows set by Jerry Seinfeld in 2005.