PRiMA Theatre to Welcome Broadway's Stephen Schwartz

During the past several years, PRiMA Theatre, a non-profit organization that produces theatrical experiences at a variety of venues in the region, has brought some of musical theatre's top actors and vocalists to the area. This upcoming season boasts a bevy of Broadway's biggest stars.

In addition to local professionals, previous PRiMA productions have featured Broadway's best talent including Josefina Scaglione (Broadway's Maria in West Side Story, Jason Robert Brown (composer of Parade, The Last Five Years) and Shoshana Bean (Broadway's Elphaba in Wicked). In December, Broadway's monumental rock tenor Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida, Chess) will join the PRiMA stage for a solo concert and master class. But preceding that brings one of Broadway's biggest musical theatre legends ever to visit the region.

Stephen Schwartz -

He is the composer behind Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Working, Rags, and Children of Eden. He collaborated on the songs for Disney's Enchanted, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as the writer of songs for DreamWorks' The Prince of Egypt, currently being adapted for the Broadway stage. He is

the current president of the Dramatists Guild and has been inducted into
the Theatre, Hollywood and Songwriters Halls of Fame. Mr. Schwartz holds three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards and four Drama Desk Awards.

Master Class | 1pm, May 22

Mr. Schwartz's PRiMA master class is open to all interested in getting a behind-the- scenes experience of what it takes to take a performance to the next level. This means that not just students of musical theatre are invited, but the general public is welcomed to attend and observe. Tickets are $25.00. Schwartz will work with five to seven local singers on performance technique and storytelling through song. To apply for the one- on-one opportunity, performers 18 and older should sent their resume, headshot and video reel (if available) to admin@primatheatre.org by April 15. The one-on-one fee is $175.00, paid upon being chosen.

Defying Gravity: The Concert | 7pm, May 22
Stephen Schwartz joins Lancaster's finest talent to highlight his expansive library of hit shows. The concert is called Defying Gravity, and will not only feature Mr. Schwartz' beloved music, but the composer himself, onstage presenting stories and songs. It is open to the public, like all of PRiMA's 2016 events. Sunday, May 22, is the event with a 1pm Master Class and a 7pm Concert. Concert tickets start at $26.00. Tickets which include a seat at the concert plus a post-show meet & greet reception with Stephen Schwartz at the theater are $98.00.

"Defying Gravity will fundamentally deepen your love for the power of songs and lyrics," says PRiMA's Executive Producer Mitch Nugent. "Stephen and his team have been gracious partners in creating this experience together. It's an honor for PRiMA, a big win for Lancaster, and a rare opportunity for audiences."

All events will take place at Willow Valley Communities Cultural Center Theater, 900 Willow Valley Lakes Drive in Lancaster. Tickets can be purchased at www.primatheatre.org or by phone at 717.327.5124. Meet & Greet Reception tickets can be purchased when buying Defying Gravity concert tickets. Choose "Seat + Meet/ Greet" from the drop down menu with your seat choice.