Theatre Under The Stars Celebrates Holiday Season With White Christmas

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is producing the classic holiday story White Christmas, running December 6 - 18 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. The all-time number one pop song and most-recorded tune in history inspired first a beloved classic film and now a fun-filled musical for all ages to enjoy.

The musical is based on the 1954 movie "White Christmas" starring Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, two war-time buddies turned showmen, have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The story culminates when the stars host a musical review in honor of their retired Army captain, drawing the audience into a richly choreographed musical number commemorating the troops' gratitude. No production of White Christmas would be complete without snow and TUTS' production does not disappoint: snow will fall throughout Sarofim Hall onto theater-goers below! White Christmas also serves as the perfect framework for the presentation of Berlin's hit songs "Blue Skies," "Count Your Blessings" and the title song, "White Christmas."

In celebration of White Christmas, Theatre Under The Stars will offer a number of special events and opportunities:

Culture + Cuisine: Make it the perfect night with a delicious dinner from The Foundation Room at House of Blues or McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant leading up to the show. Enjoy special pricing on a set 3 course meal followed by an orchestra level seat. A shuttle is available on request to travel between the Houston Pavilions and Hobby Center. These dinner packages are available in conjunction with all evening performances.
For more information or to purchase a dinner package, visit TUTS.com/CultureCuisine or call the box office at 713-558-8887.

Kids Night at TUTS: Wednesday, December 7 and 14
TUTS spreads the love of musical theatre to the next generation with Kids Night at TUTS! Any adult who purchases a full price ticket can bring a child under 18 for free and enjoy pre-show kids activities in the Grand Lobby. Visit TUTS.com/Events to purchase tickets.

OUT@TUTS Post-Show Cast Party: Thursday, December 8
A post-show, cabaret-style event at Artista Restaurant for TUTS' GLBT friends. Visit TUTS.com/OUT for more information.

Workshop for Students Ages 7 -12: Friday, December 9 from 5 - 7 p.m.
Get your feet moving while focusing on tap dancing! Students will learn a tap dance number using music from the show. Visit TUTS.com/Events to take advantage of this offer.

Family Day Adventure and Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, December 10 and 17
Bring the entire family for a day filled with fun and adventure. Get the day started by having breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. at the Downtown Aquarium, followed by an all day exhibition and ride pass to the entertainment complex. Top off the day with a 2 p.m. performance of White Christmas. Visit TUTS.com/Events to purchase tickets.

Military Family Appreciation Day: Sunday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
In keeping with the theme of White Christmas, TUTS would like to honor our active military members by extending a special discount to them and their families. Active military members may present their military ID at the ticket window on or before December 11 to purchase up to four tickets, each at a 50 percent discount, for the evening showing of White Christmas.

"Let it Snow" VIP event with Santa: Sunday, December 11 and 18
Celebrate the holiday season with a VIP ticket to the show along with a pre-show event that features photos with Santa, snowflake crafts, and a delectable dessert buffet feast in a Winter Wonderland. Visit TUTS.com/Events to purchase tickets.
Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. An audio described performance is available Sunday, December 18 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more, and an additional early bird discount is available until November 15, 2011. Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

TUTS' presentation of White Christmas is made possible by the generosity of Ballard Exploration Company, Inc., Locke Lord LLP and Spectra Energy.

Theatre Under The Stars' 2011-2012 Seeing Is Believing season is generously sponsored by St. Luke's Episcopal Health System. For all of TUTS' shows, air transportation is provided by United Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors include ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle. Season support is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Theater District Association and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars is Houston's acclaimed non-profit musical theatre company under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge. TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the building opened. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres such as Kopit and Yeston's Phantom, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll & Hyde, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas as well as critically acclaimed re-inventions of classics Cabaret and Les Miserables. Through its membership in the Independent Presenters Network, TUTS has helped bring Bombay Dreams, 9 to 5, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Ragtime, Curtains and The Color Purple to Broadway.

In support of TUTS' mission, our Education programs provide instruction and stage experience for more than 21,000 students annually, allowing them to flourish in a year-round schedule of classes. The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) offers technique-driven classes for all ability levels and ages, ranging from four-years-old to adulthood. With a common goal - to expand arts access to children of all physical and situational abilities - The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (The River) merged with Theatre Under The Stars in 2010, creating a unique, barrier free, arts education model for non-profit musical theatre performing arts organizations. TUTS Education provides extended on-site programming as well as off-site programming for children in schools, hospitals and other community-based sites. Housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston's high school musical theatre programs.