Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield Sponsor Civic Center's new Family Series

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines today announced that Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield will be the inaugural title sponsor for the Civic Center's new Family Series that begins with the upcoming 2009-2010 Civic Center season.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield is Iowa's leading provider of health insurance products and services. "Our vision is to improve the health and quality of life for all members of our communities", said Chris Verlengia, corporate communications consultant. "We chose to partner with the Civic Center because it unquestionably offers an experience that enriches the quality of life, both here in Central Iowa and beyond."

Civic Center President & CEO Jeff Chelesvig said "the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series marks the first-time the Civic Center has offered a series that provides an ongoing opportunity for young families to enjoy live theater and the performing arts. We've had great success and growth with the Applause! Series, our school-time curriculum-based performances for students; this year we engaged more than 23,500 students and educators. The Family Series continues to expand our programming and commitment to young audiences and their families, while making a commitment to be financially accessible to all. Now, with Wellmark's sponsorship, families can experience live, professional performing arts events for the price of a movie ticket!"

Performances in the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series are appropriate for all families of all ages, but enjoyed most by audience members that are 4-10 years old. Family Series performances-all Saturday matinee performances-include access to a free pre-performance Discovery Party and other performance related activities to deepen the theatrical experience.

"The new Family Series will bring to life drama, excitement, humor and wonder that one can only experience with live, professional theater," said Verlengia. "Wellmark is proud to help provide engaging family-friendly entertainment that's affordable and accessible."

Tickets to the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series are $10 per show. The three-show package can be purchased for only $24. At this time, the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series season ticket may only be purchased with a Willis Broadway Series Season Ticket package.

WELLMARK BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD FAMILY SERIES

• A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 at 1 p.m.)
Arnold Lobel's beloved characters hop off the page and onto the stage in this Tony Award®-nominated musical that follows a year in the life of two great friends, Frog and Toad.

• THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR (Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 11 a.m.)
Follow the amazing and brave journeys of three of Eric Carle's most beloved stories coming to life on stage using black-light and larger-than-life puppets.

• CREOLE FOR KIDZ AND THE HISTORY OF ZYDECO (Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 1 p.m.) Powerful. Emotional. Grammy-award winning artist Terrance Simien uses Zydeco music-the indigenous music of the French-speaking Creoles of south Louisiana-to share his Creole culture and history in this Mardi-Gras inspired performance.