PN Announces Special New Year's Eve Show Of The Drowsy Chaperone

Every year bars across the state are jam-packed with New Year's Eve celebrants fighting three-deep crowds for drinks and watching the latest teen sensation on television, but this year Performance Network Theatre offers a welcome alternative for ringing in the New Year with style. Ann Arbor's professional theatre is proud to announce a special New Year's Eve performance, that will include light hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer, Champagne, and a post-show dessert reception with the cast and crew.

Curtain time will be moved to 9pm for that performance only, so patrons can stay to toast the New Year at midnight with the cast and crew of the Tony-Award winning musical.

Tickets are $75 per person, and include a selection of red and white wines, Arbor Brewing Company beers, soft drinks, hot chocolate and Champagne before and after the show. Light appetizers will be served before the show and a dessert and cheese reception will take guests right up until the ball drops at midnight.

Performance Network Marketing Director Chelsea Sadler said "We're happy to offer an alternative to the traditional New Year's Eve debauchery, that is still a delightfully decadent way to celebrate with friends and family. Although our play takes place during prohibition, there will be drinks aplenty as well as many non-alcoholic options for the teens and teetotalers in your party."

The musical comedy, with book by Bob Martin and Don McKeller and musics and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, runs through January 2.

This lollapalooza of a musical takes audiences back to the dazzling fantasy of the 1920's - when stars had charisma, Broadway had romance and audiences had the time of their lives. In this hilarious musical comedy, Janet Van de Graaf, star of "Feldzeig's Follies" wants to leave the show because she's fallen for an oil-rich lummox, so the producer hires a gigolo to woo the girl and put the kibosh on the nuptials. A flaky chorine, gangsters posing as pastry chefs, and the titular martini-swilling chaperone round out the cast. Winner of Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.
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Artistic Director David Wolber said "What better way to spend your evening than with a delightful musical jam-packed with catchy tunes, star performances, and laughs to last the whole year through. Party with the cast and crew afterward, and you never know who you might be standing next to when the ball drops!"

Tickets can be ordered at the Performance Network Box Office at 734-663-0681, online at
www.performancenetwork.org or by coming to the Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday-Saturday 11-6 or one hour before a performance. Performance Network is recommending "The Drowsy Chaperone" for children ages 12 and up.

Founded in 1981, Performance Network Theatre has grown from a fledgling company to Ann Arbor's only resident, professional theatre. The Network reaches 40,000 theatre patrons and children each year through the year-round Professional Series and The Children's Theatre Network. Performance Network also presents the Fireside Festival of New Works and a series of classes on theatre-related topics. The Network provides uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produces works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists.