TPAC Partners with Nashville Public Library Foundation for Book Drive During BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and MATILDA Runs

The nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will partner with the Nashville Public Library Foundation in support of the foundation's Summer Challenge program for Nashville youth in need.

TPAC audience members are invited to donate new children's books (for ages 5-10) at the TPAC Box Office during any performance of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, running November 10-15, 2015, and any performance of MATILDA THE MUSICAL, running January 26-31, 2016. TPAC will offer those who donate a book a special discount for future ticket purchases.

"Matilda The Musical is about a young girl whose foundation is built upon the adventures she takes by reading books. We felt a partnership with the Nashville Public Library Foundation was a wonderful way to underscore just how fun reading can be," said Kathleen O'Brien, TPAC president and chief executive officer. "There is a great need for books for our community's youth. We hope the small but mighty Matilda will inspire our patrons to share their love of reading and participate in this book drive."

Winner of 50 international awards including four Tony Awards and a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox). It is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life and, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her destiny.

Each year, the Nashville Public Library's Summer Challenge program engages more than 23,000 children and teens in fun programs that advance literacy and academic performance, increase community involvement, and decrease the "summer slide." Donations to the Nashville Public Library Foundation extend the program's reach to low-income neighborhoods and provide books and programs to children unable to visit the library. In 2015, the traveling collection supplied books to more than 3,800 children and introduced many Nashville families to the public library and its services.

"We are so grateful to TPAC and its generous patrons for this partnership," said Tari Hughes, president of the Nashville Public Library Foundation. "Donations to NPL's Summer Challenge program will help prevent Nashville students from falling behind during the summer months and will provide thousands of children and teens with access to books and materials that inspire reading. In addition, gifts to the Summer Challenge program introduce thousands of Nashville families to the city's greatest resource - the Nashville Public Library."

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and MATILDA THE MUSICAL are presented as part of the 2015-16HCA/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC season. Performance schedule, prices, and cast are subject to change without notice. The season is supported by The HCA Foundation on behalf of HCA and the TriStar Family of Hospitals, and media sponsors for the season include NewsChannel 5 and The Tennessean. Institutional sponsors for TPAC include Nissan North America, and Coca-Cola. TPAC is funded in part by support from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission.