KCTS 9 Features IN THE HEIGHTS on Spotlight Night, 9/5

As The 5th Avenue prepares for the first show of its 2010-11 season, the Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights (September 28-October 17), it announces several special events designed to enhance and support the performances, including a TV special on KCTS 9, a dedicated Spotlight Night, and a series of Show Talks during the production's run.
 
First up KCTS Channel 9 will be airing In The Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams, a special episode of the PBS Series Great Performances. The show chronicles the Broadway opening of the show, and the critical and audience success that followed. Airing of this special takes place on Sunday September 5 at 2:00 PM.
 
Then on Thursday September 16 it's the first 2010-11 installment of our enormously popular Spotlight Night series. This free event is a favorite of theatergoers who love some insight into what happens on the other side of the curtain. In a program celebrating both In the Heights and Memphis, our smash hit from the 2008-2009 season, The 5th's Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the work of a theatrical producer, as well as presents a sampling of upcoming music from the season. The Spotlgiht Night special guest is Kevin McCollum, the man responsible for bringing not only In the Heights to Broadway, but also producing one of the most amazing string of hit shows ever produced, including Rent, Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone, White Christmas and the current Broadway revival of West Side Story. McCollum and Armstrong will be joined by 5th Avenue Producing Partner Kenny Alhadeff, who talks about the effort involved in taking Memphis from workshop to full production and from Seattle to Broadway where it earned four 2009 Tonys, including Best Musical. The evening also includes Seattle artists performing musical excerpts from Vanities: A New Musical, Next to Normal, 9 to 5: The Musical and A Christmas Story: The Musical!-all of which are featured in our upcoming season!
 
During the run of In the Heights The 5th will also be hosting Macy's Show Talk: the 5th Avenue Discussion Series before select performances. These Talks feature guest speakers discussing the themes and inspiration behind the show. Confirmed guests include Matt Barreto, Associate Professor at the UW and author of Ethnic Cues: the Role of Shared Ethnicity in Latino Political Behavior, who will speak on politics and Latino Culture, and The 5th Avenue's Artistic Associate Albert Evans, who will chart the history of musicals that feature New York City in a "starring role." For dates and details on Show Talks as they develop, go to 5thavenue.org/education/showtalk.aspx.
 
The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a season ticket audience of more than 25,000 and has an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong, Managing Director Bernie Griffin and Producing Director Bill Berry, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.