Herberger Theater Center Announces Partnership with Arizona Broadway Theatre, Arizona Opera and Childsplay

Arizona Broadway Theatre (ABT) announced yesterday it will join Arizona Opera and Childsplay as new resident companies of Herberger Theater Center (HTC) beginning with the 2018-2019 season. They will join current resident companies Arizona Theatre Company, Center Dance Ensemble and iTheatre Collaborative. These new companies will add to the extraordinary offerings of performing arts as the Herberger Theater Center fulfills its vision to provide and support significant and relevant experiences and to serve as a premier performance venue "Where Audience Meets Art."

ABT will continue to produce its award-winning brand of musical entertainment at its main campus in Peoria, while expanding its brand of Broadway-style musicals to an ever-growing audience in the Central and East Valley through this continuing partnership. The 2018-2019 HTC season will include three ABT co-productions that will move to HTC after debuting on the ABT Mainstage.

"I am thrilled the Herberger Theater Center's Board of Directors has accepted ABT as one of its newest resident companies," said Kiel Klaphake, CEO & Executive Producer of Arizona Broadway Theatre. "With our recent success at HTC of A Christmas Carol last December and Disney's Beauty and the Beast this past summer, we know there is an audience in central Phoenix and the East Valley for ABT's brand of entertainment. As we foster new relationships with the other resident companies, working together to offer audiences a variety of exciting productions, ABT is eager to advance the mission of the Herberger Theater - bringing the 'art' to the 'audience.' I applaud the leadership of the Herberger Theater for their vision."

"We are excited and proud to welcome ABT and these wonderful organizations joining the amazing resident companies who call the Herberger Theater Center home," said Mark Mettes, President and CEO of the Herberger Theater Center. "Each of these new companies has a long history of quality productions for audiences throughout the valley, and I can't wait to see their performances on our stages. Together, the diverse offerings of the resident companies of the Herberger Theater Center will entertain and inspire audiences of all ages, providing more reasons than ever to live, work and play in downtown Phoenix."

The Theatre also plans the opening of an all-new 5,200 sf Encore Room in the fall of 2018. The new space will offer expanded programming including concerts, specialty acts and special events. It will also offer much needed conference and banquet space in the West Valley.

ABT will see its 100th Mainstage production take the stage this June with Disney's Mary Poppins. The show will then take the stage for a three-week run July 6-22 at HTC. In its 13 years producing LIVE theatre in the Valley of the Sun, ABT had welcomed close to 1 million patrons through its Mainstage musical productions, Theatre for Young Audience programming, and Academy for Young Performers summer camp program.

Arizona Broadway Theatre, Arizona's leader in Musical Theatre, is a professional theatre located in Phoenix's West Valley that showcases locally and nationally acclaimed artists. Known for its elaborate sets, stunning costumes and talented casts, ABT also provides palate-pleasing sit-down table service at their West Valley venue. From the locally produced Mainstage Musicals and robust "Encore" line-up of internationally acclaimed concert artists and specialty acts, to the community driven Theatre for Young Audiences programming and Academy for Young Performers arts-education camps, ABT has become one of the highest attended LIVE theatre venues in Arizona and continues to play a uniquely pivotal role in the vibrant arts scene here in the Valley of the Sun. AZBroadway.org

The Herberger Theater Center is a 501(c)(3) Arizona non-profit organization that supports and fosters growth of the arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator and advocate. Opened in 1989 and fully renovated in 2010, the Herberger Theater offers three theater venues, art gallery, plaza and rentable event space for a variety of community uses. The Herberger Theater hosts a diverse range of dramatic, dance and musical performances; is home to local theater and dance companies; its gallery provides a venue for Arizona artists to present their works; and a plaza that hosts civic and arts events. Proceeds from annual fundraising benefits its Youth Outreach Programs, designed to give Arizona children (ages 3-19) opportunities to excel, learn and heal through experience with the arts. Over the last 28 years, 4.2 million patrons have enjoyed more than 15,000 performances at the Herberger Theater. HerbergerTheater.org.