Comcast Launches Broadway In Chicago Backstage

Broadway In Chicago is working with Comcast to create BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE, an exclusive new program that features in-depth conversations with cast and creative team members from major Broadway In ChicaGo Productions. Similar in format to the popular "Inside The Actors Studio," this thirty-minute conversation is hosted by Paul Lisnek, Anchor of "Newsmakers" and Theatre Correspondent for "Prime Time Chicago." Shot in front of a live audience BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE also showcases local educational institutions, Colleges and Universities with substantial arts programs. The programs are presented in the College or University's facilities and students and faculty/staff members are invited to be audience members for the taping as well as encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the show and guests.

Through this unique collaboration, Comcast will produce three exclusive BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE presentations per year, each program featuring a different Broadway In Chicago show as well as a Chicago University or College. The program is promoted and aired multiple times on Comcast's Award winning regional programming CN100, channel 100 exclusively on Comcast. It will also be featured in the "Video On Demand" section for all Comcast Subscribers.

Premiering on August 3, 2010 at a special screening, BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE: SHREK THE MUSICAL at DePaul University College of Communication features interviews with Jeanine Tesori (Music) and cast members Eric Petersen (Shrek), Haven Burton (Princess Fiona) and Alan Mingo Jr. (Donkey). The full 30 minute presentation on SHREK THE MUSICAL will premiere on Comcast on Tuesday, August 3 and will be available throughout the summer on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring Broadway's best shows and working theatrical artists to speak directly to the students of Chicago's top-notch educational institutions. The amazing in-depth program that Comcast produces is extremely interesting and delivers the same high quality as the shows that are produced on our stages. We are grateful to Comcast for their support of theatre," said Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago.

Paul Lisnek, Host of BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE adds "Chicago is a theater town and I have a passion for digging beneath the surface to uncover the secrets and challenges of bringing a Broadway show to the Chicago stage. It's a great show of respect to Chicagoans that Comcast and Broadway in Chicago have joined forces to provide an in-depth, behind the scenes look at the hottest tickets in town. The result is more satisfied theatre lovers who can get this enriching experience on the Comcast Network and On Demand 24/7."

"It was a great experience hosting the ‘BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE: SHREK THE MUSICAL' here at DePaul," said Jacqueline Taylor, dean of the College of Communication at DePaul. "Our students saw first-hand what it entails to put together a program like this. We look forward to developing our partnership with Broadway In Chicago through internships and other educational opportunities for DePaul students."

BILLY ELLIOT: The Musical kicked off BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE in April and is still running on Comcast. This special presentation was taped at Northwestern University and features Stephen Daldry, Jonathan Finn, Tommy Batchelor and Emily Skinner. In addition, Broadway In Chicago and Comcast are currently in the planning stages for a winter presentation of BROADWAY IN CHICAGO BACKSTAGE: WICKED.

For additional information, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com

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