Stomp, the Smash Hit Returns to Stomp Out Hunger

May 20-22, 2011 at DeVos Performance Hall

STOMP, the international sensation, is making its triumphant return to Grand Rapids, MI at DeVos Performance Hall from May 20-22, 2011. Broadway Grand Rapids and STOMP are partnering to STOMP Out Hunger. Every full priced adult ticket purchased to STOMP using the code: HUNGER, a $5 donation will be made to Access of West Michigan. Tickets are now on sale and are available at ticketmaster.com.

Access of West Michigan provides a place for the community to act—for those with resources and talents to interact and problem-solve with the big issues of poverty and people in need. The mission of Access is to be a faith-based leader in linking congregational, individual, and community resources to eliminate hunger and reduce the impact of poverty in Kent County. Learn more at www.AccessofWestMichigan.org.

Hunger Statistics:
-Within the Access Pantry Network of Kent County there are 75 food pantries that distribute nearly 20,000 food services to individuals every month.
-In 2010 there were 46,925 individuals who visited a pantry within the Access Pantry Network one or more times. This is 7.7 percent, or one in every 12 residents, of Kent County’s population.
- According to the Food Research and Action Center 1 in 6 Americans is food insecure. Kent County follows this national trend as evidenced by the over 110,000 residents who receive SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) benefits.
-The Access Pantry Network distributed 90,000 food services to children in 2010.
-In Kent County, there are 85,000 individuals living below the poverty line (US Census Bureau 2008).

STOMP has made it its mission to partner with food banks across the country to STOMP Out Hunger. The show began its quest to reduce hunger in North America with a partnership with Philabundance, the Philadelphia region’s largest hunger relief organization, in December of 2007. The producers were looking for a way to give back to the community and with the timing of the holidays the partnership was a natural one. However, due to the current economic climate including high unemployment rates and state budget cuts, hunger organizations have seen an overwhelming demand for food assistance. As such, STOMP has dedicated itself to bringing attention to the heightened needs of food charities across the country all year round by sponsoring canned food drives and donating ticket proceeds in as many cities as possible. Cities in which STOMP has conducted a STOMP Out Hunger campaign include Philadelphia, PA, Calgary, Canada, Peoria, IL, Detroit, MI, Toronto, Canada, Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL, Aurora, IL and Honolulu, HI, just to name a few.

STOMP is affordably priced from $27.50 and will perform 4 shows at DeVos Performance Hall from May 20-22, 2011. The performance schedule is Friday, May 20 at 8:00pm, Saturday, May 21 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm, and Sunday May 22 at 1:00pm. Tickets are available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1-800-745-3000. Groups of 15 or more save 10% per ticket! Group discount expires May 13, 2011. For group tickets call 616-742-6185 or email groupsales@smggr.com.

For more information on the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids Series, visit: www.BroadwayGrandRapids.com.

Straight No Chaser Sets Fall Tour; Two-Month Trek Kicks Off October 14th

Serenading DeVos Performance Hall on November 2nd at 7:30PM

ATCO/Atlantic recording group Straight No Chaser has announced plans for an extensive North American tour this fall with a stop at DeVos Performance Hall on November 2nd at 7:30PM. The dates begin October 14th at Dallas’ McFarlan Auditorium and then continue through late December.

"We can’t wait to get back out on the road and visit our fans all across the country,” said original group member Randy Stine. “The foundation of Straight No Chaser is our live performance. We pride ourselves on a show that anyone of any age or background can enjoy. This time around we will be performing new songs on a new stage - it's the biggest production we've ever put together and we are so excited to share it with our fans, since they are the ones who got us here. Overall, fans can expect the same ten fun-loving and self-deprecating Straight No Chasers singing songs they know and love."

Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, May 4th at 10AM and are $27, $32, $37.50 and $45. Day of show ticket prices increase $5. Tickets can be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone: 800-745-3000.

Founded at Indiana University in the fall of 1996, Straight No Chaser’s goal was to expand the boundaries of the traditional college a cappella group. From the start, they viewed themselves more like a local band that just happened to use their voices as their instruments. As original member Randy Stine comments, “We take the music very seriously; we just don’t take ourselves too seriously.” In the process, they are reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape.

In 1999, the graduating members of Straight No Chaser chose their replacements, ensuring that the new tradition they had created would continue on with successive generations of IU undergrads. Then, in 2006, the unexpected happened – Indiana University decided to host a reunion concert for the original members. In honor of the event, Stine posted footage from one of their 1998 concerts online and to the group’s surprise, their version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” – interpolating Toto’s “Africa” – became the hottest viral video of the holiday season. Among the millions of viewers was Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman, who tracked Straight No Chaser down and promptly signed them to the label.

Three full-length albums and one EP have since followed, cumulatively selling more than half a million copies. The group has been featured on ABC World News Tonight, HLN, and Today, among others. Straight No Chaser’s third and most recent album, “WITH A TWIST,” marked the group’s highest chart debut to date, entering the Billboard 200 at #29 upon its April 2010 release. The group celebrated the success of “WITH A TWIST” with a memorable appearance on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where they performed an homage to ABC’s famed “TGIF” line-up. For complete information, please visit Straight No Chaser’s official website, www.sncmusic.com.

Soul Faithfuls MAZE FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY ‘Can’t Stop the Love’ In Grand Rapids

To Serenade DeVos Performance Hall on September 10th

Soul sensation, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, will bring all their smash hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s for one unforgettable night at DeVos Performance Hall on Saturday, September 10th at 8PM. The performance is scheduled in part by the diligence of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group (CIG) to provide more diverse programming at the downtown venues.

For any standard, one of the most talented self-contained bands of the past thirty years has been Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly. With their ability to fuse a groove of soul, jazz and mature lyrics that many find addicting, perhaps the band’s best ability is to adapt that solid groove through time. Yet despite their adaptability, it is their commitment to Soul’s basics that has gained them an extremely loyal following among Soul music fans and great respect among their performing peers. The Maze featuring Frankie Beverly concert is part of a commitment that Steve Heacock, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority Chairman, and the CAA, along with the Community Inclusion Group, have all made to bring entertainment for people of color in the West Michigan Community. We expect that there will be more entertainment to come,” said CIG Chair, Darius Quinn. “We thank Steve Heacock and the CAA board for recognizing the need and helping us to fill the board.”

The Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly catalog sales are still very strong and far better than many of their contemporaries. The strong album sales are a testament to Maze's timeless music and a sound that remains fresh and relevant today. Beyond their relevance, the loyalty form their fans is also a testament to their unrivaled pension for touring—playing crowds worldwide for over thirty years, despite not releasing an album since the early 90s! In that time, the band has been out on the road with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Anita Baker and Natalie Cole to name a few. Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly has had close to thirty hit singles since their 1977 debut, nine of which have been Top 10 R&B charted singles including classics like “Running Away,” “Love Is The Key,” and “Can’t Get Over You.” Eight of the groups 10 albums have gone gold, all the way from their self-titled 1977 Capitol Records debut to the 1993 Warner Bros. album, “Back To Basics.”

Tickets are $51.50, $61.50, $71.50, and $87.50 and go on sale Monday, May 2nd at 10AM. Tickets may be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

GROUPS OF 10+ SAVE $5 PER TICKET! To order group tickets email groupsales@smggr.com or call 616-742-6185. Group discounted tickets are available until September 2, 2011.

SMG Named Private Manager of McCormick Place Complex in Chicago, Illinois

The Metropolitan Pier and Exhibition Authority (MPEA) has selected SMG, the global leader in convention, arena and stadium management, as private manager of its McCormick Place Complex. The complex includes 9 million square feet in six buildings and is the nation's largest convention center.

"We are proud to have been selected and look forward to working with the Authority to forward their reform agenda," explained Wes Westley, SMG president and chief executive officer. "SMG has both the experience and success to enhance Chicago's draw as a world-class convention destination."

SMG was chosen following a highly competitive bid process for its focus on cost reductions and customer experience enhancements. The company reiterated its large market experience, industry relationships, CVB partnerships and labor relations expertise as hallmarks of its approach to McCormick Place.

Also announced today was the re-appointment of David Causton as General Manager of the facility. "David is an industry leader who has successfully led the most recent efforts to enhance the customer experience at McCormick Place. We are thrilled to have him as part of the SMG team and know that the continuity he will provide will ensure a seamless transition to private management," noted Westley.

SMG is responsible for the management and marketing of more than 220 public assembly facilities worldwide. The company has built a specialized Convention Center Division, including 67 convention and exhibition centers. SMG's seasoned executive team works actively with municipalities, convention bureaus and hospitality partners in offering first class service and fully integrated management and marketing systems. At 2.6 million square feet of prime exhibit space, McCormick Place is the nation's largest convention facility.

"Chicago is one of the nation's most attractive trade show markets because of its size, space, location and the recent reforms put in place," said Gregg Caren, senior vice president of strategic business development. "Having the expertise to manage the facility is critical but understanding how to enhance the customer experience through relationships and industry partnerships is where SMG differentiates itself."

About SMG

Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 12 million square feet (1.2 million square meters) of exhibition space and over 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston's Reliant Park and the Louisiana Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 100 accounts worldwide. For more information visit www.smgworld.com.

Announcing the Broadway Grand Rapids 2011-2012 Season

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 2011-2012 season for Broadway Grand Rapids (BGR) raises the curtain on an impressive new level of performance with show-stopping blockbusters including the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables and the high-flying family favorite, Mary Poppins.

The 5-Show Subscription Series is Come Fly Away, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Les Misérables, Million Dollar Quartet, and Mary Poppins. In addition to the subscription series BGR will also offer special engagements of Under the Streetlamp, The Addams Family and Cats. All performances are at DeVos Performance Hall in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Season tickets are available now at up to 30% off 5-show packages which start as low as $128.

Subscribe today and get great shows, great dates & great rates!

5-Show Subscription Series

Come Fly Away

October 4-9, 2011

Come Fly Away is the new Broadway musical that brings together the legendary music of Frank Sinatra and the creative vision of Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp (Movin’ Out). This one-of-a-kind experience combines the seductive vocals of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” with the sizzling sound of a live on-stage big band and the visceral thrill of Tharp’s choreography. As 15 of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love, you will experience the exhilaration of a first kiss, the excitement of a first dance, and the bittersweet moments of a first good-bye in a world of sparkling romances and astonishing beauty. Come Fly Away is a co-presentation of Broadway Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Ballet Company.

Irving Berlin's White Christmas

November 15-20, 2011

Get ready to discover a delightful new show that’s as fresh and rare as newly fallen snow! The classic holiday tradition White Christmas comes to the stage at last, as a brand new Irving Berlin musical direct from Broadway and opening at DeVos Performance Hall this November. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas promises to be a merry and bright theatrical experience for the whole family!

Les Misérables

November 29-December 4, 2011

Dream the dream. Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boubill and Schönberg’s legendary musical, Les Misérables, with glorious new staging and dazzling reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. The New York Times calls this Les Misérables “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show “a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.” Les Misérables is a co-presentation of Broadway Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Ballet Company.

Million Dollar Quartet

January 17-22, 2012

Million Dollar Quartet is the smash hit Broadway musical, inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians were gathered by Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with an irresistable tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring a score of rock hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "That's All Right," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Who Do You Love?," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hound Dog" and more.

Disney & Cameron Mackintosh present Mary Poppins

February 21-26, 2012

Mary Poppins is bringing its own brand of Broadway magic to theaters across the country, which has Variety raving, “This is the rare touring production that over-delivers on every level!” Featuring the irresistable story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, plus brand-new breathtaking dance numbers and spectacular stage-craft, Mary Poppins is everything you could ever want in a hit Broadway show! So get swept up in the fun of this high-flying musical the New York Post gives four out of four stars and calls “a perfect piece of musical theater.”

Special Events available to Season Ticket Holders before the General Public

Under the Streetlamp

October 16, 2011

Rock and Roll is here to stay as recent leading cast members of the Tony Award-winning smash hit Jersey Boys deliver the sounds of the sixties in an electrifying evening of unforgettable hits. You’re gonna hear-some-of-that-rock-and-roll-music, as well as doo-wop ditties, Motown melodies, and cool Rat Pack favorites. Amazingly, these four guys, each a gifted performer, met playing in a band onstage and later went on to form a real rock sensation of their very own. They have thrilled sold-out houses throughout the country and each carries with him an impressive list of credits. Between them, they have appeared on Broadway, in feature films, and on your television. Under the Streetlamp offers audiences the rare opportunity to get to know these rising stars of stage and screen as they relate hilarious and touching stories of a life lived in show business. Complete with an orchestra comprised of world-class jazz musicians, Under the Streetlamp is clean outta sight!

The Addams Family

May 22-26, 2012

The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life in The Addams Family. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. This is definitely not the same old song and dance. It’s every parent’s nightmare. Your little girl has suddenly become a young woman, and what’s worse, has fallen deliriously in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. Yes, Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has a “normal” boyfriend, and for parents Gomez and Morticia, this shocking development will turn the Addams house downside up. It’s a family portrait that’s completely off the wall.

Cats

June 15-17, 2012

There's no better way to introduce your family to the wonders of live theatre than with the magic, the mystery, the memory of Cats. What began as a musical about cats after Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop has become one of the longest running shows in Broadway’s history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Cats features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless melodies, including the hit song, “Memory.”

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Broadway Grand Rapids offers a 5-Show Subscription package that offers up to 30% off individual ticket prices, discounts on Special Events, advance ticket purchasing before the general public for all presentations, easy payment plans, free lost-ticket replacement, no-fee ticket exchanges, personalized service, exclusive privileges, and the same reserved seats for each show. The Subscription Series package price ranges from $128 to $353, depending on seating section and performance day and time. The 2011-2012 Subscription Series may be renewed or purchased from Broadway Grand Rapids by calling 616-235-6285, in person at 122 Lyon Street NW in downtown Grand Rapids or by mail using the order form which can be downloaded at www.BroadwayGrandRapids.com. BGR office hours are 9 to 5 Monday through Thursday, and 9 to 4 on Fridays. The subscription renewal deadline is Friday, May 13th, 2011.

FOR BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS’ GROUP DISCOUNTS, EMAIL groupsales@smggr.com OR CALL 616.742.6185.

All performances are at DeVos Performance Hall located at 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: www.BroadwayGrandRapids.com

Divas take Center Stage as the Grand Rapids Symphony Presents a “Wicked” Evening of Broadway Hits and Popular Favorites

Julia Murney and Jennifer Laura Thompson, stars of the smash Broadway hit “Wicked,” will join the Grand Rapids Symphony for a fantastic concert of diva showstoppers May 13-15. New York Pops Music Director Steven Reineke will lead the Grammy-nominated orchestra as guest conductor in a return engagement to DeVos Performance Hall that will showcase his exceptional artistry and boundless enthusiasm. “Wicked Divas” is this season’s final Fox Motors Pops concert and will feature popular favorites from “Wicked,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Chicago” and “My Fair Lady,” among others. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 15.

“I am looking forward to being back on the podium with the Grand Rapids Symphony conducting ‘Wicked Divas,’ with the stars from the hit Broadway musical,” Reineke explained. “I have put together a true diva tribute covering all styles of music and many favorite selections from pop, Broadway, Hollywood and more. It is sure to be a wicked fun evening of great music.”

Julia Murney has played the misunderstood wicked witch, Elphaba, on Broadway and on the national tour of “Wicked.” Her other New York shows including Andrew Lippia’s “The Wild Party,” for which she earned a Drama Desk nomination, as well as “Lennon,” “Crimes of the Heart” and others. From the Kennedy Center and Town Hall, she has also performed regionally with the Philly Pops and Cincinnati Pops. Murney also has a number of television credits, including “30 Rock,” “Sex and the City,” “NYPD Blue” and all three “Law and Orders.”

A native of Southfield and University of Michigan graduate, Jennifer Laura Thompson has played Glinda, the good witch, in “Wicked” on Broadway. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in “Urinetown,” and also has performed in “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Footloose” and the premier of “Little Miss Sunshine.” She has numerous off-Broadway roles to her credit, as well as appearances with the Atlanta Symphony, Toronto Symphony and others.

Murney and Thompson will sing favorites such as “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady,” “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic” and, of course, “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked.” These classic songs will be interspersed with arrangements from Reineke such as “I Hear A Symphony: Symphonic Sounds of Diana Ross.”

One of the most sought-after pops conductors, composers and arrangers, Reineke was appointed principal pops conductor to the National Symphony Orchestra this season. His guest conducting appearances have included the Hollywood Bowl, where he performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and multi-faceted entertainer Wayne Brady, as well as with orchestras in Detroit, Houston, Toronto and Baltimore, among others. He has also collaborated with rock legend Peter Frampton.

“Our Broadway show is always some of the most exciting and popular music that we perform in the Fox Motors Pops Series,” said Associate Conductor John Varineau. “I am excited that we are featuring two of the leading ladies from the smash hit, ‘Wicked,’ along with the return of the fantastically talented conductor Steven Reineke.

“This will be an entire evening of showstoppers from Broadway and film, a perfect way to end our fantastic season of the Fox Motors Pops.”

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on the day of the concert at DeVos Performance Hall three hours prior to the performance. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000, online at ticketmaster.com, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets including D&W Fresh Market and select Family Fare locations.

To learn more about the Grand Rapids Symphony, please visit http://www.grsymphony.org/.