THE 101 DALMATIANS MUSICAL to Feature Five Columbus Rescue Dalmatians

Based on the beloved book by Dodie Smith and led by an award-winning creative team including four-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks (A Bronx Tale, Smokey Joe's Café, Guys and Dolls), acclaimed bookwriter/co-lyricist B.T. McNicholl (Billy Elliot, Spamalot, The IT Girl), and Dennis DeYoung, co-founder of the legendary rock band Styx, The 101 Dalmatians Musical promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world where the audience sees life from a dog's point of view. This stage musical transports audiences to a topsy-turvy, exciting, and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance, and spectacle in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.

Presented by CAPA and Broadway Across America, The 101 Dalmatians Musical plays the Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.) March 2-7. Show times are Tuesday, March 2, 8 pm; Wednesday, March 3, 8 pm; Thursday, March 4, 8 pm; Friday, March 5, 8 pm; Saturday, March 6, 2 pm and 8 pm; and Sunday, March 7, 1 pm and 6:30 pm. Tickets are $69.50, $64.50, $49.50, $44.50, $27.50, and $22.50 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000. The Palace Theatre Ticket Office will open two hours prior to the performance.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical features 15 talented Dalmatians on stage in a surprise grand finale. Most of the dogs were rescued from animal shelters across the country, and all were trained by Joel Slaven, one of the world's foremost animal trainers. Slaven has worked extensively with Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, on such feature films as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and That Darn Cat.

Five very special Dalmatians-Rascal, Jada, Lacy, Bert, and Jackson-were placed with the production through Columbus-based Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue. After carefully evaluating the project-getting to know Slaven, his team, training techniques, the living conditions for the dogs, and Slaven's dedication to educating the public about homeless animals-Second Chances determined the production was a wonderful opportunity to educate the public about the breed and began working with the 101 team to find Dalmatian candidates for the project.

About Second Chances Rescue Dog RASCAL
Rascal was a puppy mill dog that lived in a pet store until he was 3.5 months old. He was finally purchased, and nine days later, taken to a veterinarian with a broken leg. The injury required surgery to insert a pin; however, Rascal's owners were unable to cover his medical expenses and abandoned him at the vet's office. The vet contacted Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue who picked him up, paid for his medical treatment, and cared for him while he recovered. Now completely healed and part of the 101 family, Rascal loves to "help" the trainers with everything including tugging on the hose (usually soaking them in the process), pulling on his leash, or grabbing their shirts as they try to walk away.

About Second Chances Rescue Dog JADA
Three-year-old Jada was found running stray, and Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue took her in. She tested positive for heartworm, an easily preventable but life-threatening parasitic infection, but the rescue administered the necessary medical treatment and nursed her back to health. Now completely heartworm free and healthy, Jada is a happy girl and a prized member of the 101 team.

About Second Chances Rescue Dog LACY
With four-year-old Lacy's sweet disposition, you would never know she's undergone several surgeries in the last year to remove six mammary tumors. Luckily, tests showed the tumors weren't cancerous, and she hasn't let the surgeries slow her down. Lacy is always the first one up and ready for training in the morning.

About Second Chances Rescue Dog BERT
Two-year-old Bert was also a stray taken in by Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue. Unfortunately, like many Dalmatians, Bert has a condition wherein he produces crystals in his urine. This can lead to blockage and be deadly if it left untreated. Bert is now in great health with regular checks by the 101 vets and a special diet.

About Second Chances Rescue Dog JACKSON
Two-year-old Jackson was an underweight stray with kennel cough when Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue began caring for him. While recovering, trainers found he is a very happy and outgoing boy, always trying to learn new things. Jackson loves to jump, play with toys, and play with his roommates. He also keeps the trainers on their toes by trying to walk himself while on a leash.

About Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue
Established in 2004, Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization made up of a network of foster homes and volunteers who work to rescue abused, abandoned, unwanted, and homeless Dalmatians. Priority is given to animals in the greatest danger of being euthanized at area shelters. Second Chances also works to promote responsible pet ownership, spay and neuter programs, and community education while seeking safe, loving, and caring homes for family pets in need of placement. www.secondchancesdalrescue.com

The show's producers have created a special home for these extraordinary canines while on tour. The dogs travel in a one-of-a-kind, customized bus being hailed as a "rolling doggie palace." Equipped with a grooming station, portable playground, and two trainers, these Dalmatian darlings are treated like royalty. After the tour, the rescued dogs will continue to live a well-pampered life and will either be placed in loving homes or continue to live on Slaven's sprawling Florida ranch.

Actress Sara Gettelfinger stars as puppy-hating villainess Cruella de Vil. Her Broadway credits include Suessical the Musical, The Boys from Syracuse, "Carla" in Nine with Antonio Banderas, "Jolene Oakes" in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opposite John Lithgow, and the first national tour of Fosse.

Featuring James Ludwig as Pongo, the cast also includes Chip Abbott, Joel Blum, Sammy Borla, Anna Bowen, Jeff Scot Carey, Kristy Cavanaugh, Lydia Clemente, Piper Curda, Joseph Dellger, Madeleine Doherty, Julie Foldesi, Garrett Hawe, Michael Thomas Holmes, Robert Anthony Jones, Kevin C. Loomis, Erin Maguire, Mike Masters, Neal Mayer, Catherine Missal, Ah-Niyah Yonay Neal, Catia Ojeda, Clark Kelley Oliver, Chuck Ragsdale, Molly Sorohan, Kendra Tate, Kristen Beth Williams, Emma Zaks, and Austin Zambito-Valente.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical follows Dalmatian spouses Pongo and Missis Pongo who are living the good life in London with their "pets," Charles and Catherine Dearly. When their 10 puppies are suddenly "dognapped" by the villainous Cruella de Vil, they summon the help of a vast network of dogs and set off to rescue their pups. There's a happy ending for all with laughter, mayhem, and music along the way.

The show's lively contemporary score and soundtrack was composed by Dennis DeYoung. As the lead singer of the legendary rock band Styx, DeYoung composed such unforgettable, timeless hits as "Babe," "Come Sail Away," Best of Times," and "Mr. Roboto." With The 101 Dalmatians Musical, he brings his pop rock flair to an array of original songs destined to become popular material to kids and adults alike including "One-Hundred-and-One Dalmatians," "Song of the Twilight Barking," "One True Love," and "Cruella Always Gets Her Way."

About Magic Arts & Entertainment
Magic Arts & Entertainment has been bringing hundreds of thousands of people to their feet each year throughout their 25 years in the entertainment industry. Led by business partners Lee D. Marshall and Joe Marsh, the duo began by producing David Copperfield's first tour in 1983. The partnership then grew to produce, manage, book, and promote a versatile roster of live entertainment events that expanded to include such high-grossing concerts as the North American tours for Janet Jackson, Cher, N Sync, Britney Spears, Barry Manilow, The Backstreet Boys, and many others. Current tours include The Magic of David Copperfield, Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, Mannheim Steamroller, and Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley.

In 2008, Magic Arts & Entertainment was acquired by the Tix Corporation (Nasdaq: TIXC), with Marshall and Marsh assuming the roles of Co-CEOs of Tix Productions, a newly-formed subsidiary of Tix Corporation.

About Troika Entertainment
Troika has over two decades of experience producing shows of all types and sizes throughout North America and the world-touring, sit-down, casino, and leisure markets. Located in the Washington D.C. area of Maryland, Troika is outside the New York mainstream. The company prides itself on thinking "outside the apple," delivering a top quality product using cost-effective production methods.

International venues include Russia, Brazil, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Korea, and Japan. Troika was most recently involved in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China with productions of The Sound of Music, 42nd Street, and Chicago. Current and upcoming productions in North America include Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol, Twyla Tharp's Come Fly With Me, Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley, and Cats, running "now and forever."

About Luis Alvarez
Luis Alvarez, the youngest theatrical producer and director in Madrid, is responsible for one of the most successful shows in Spain. 101 Dalmatians: The Musical premiered at the Wonderland Theatre in 2001. In 2002, Alvarez received an award for Best Theatrical Producer in Spain. Alvarez and 101 Dalmatians: The Musical broke all records for sponsorship deals in Spain. Kellogg's, Kodak, Iberia, Haagen Dazs, and many other well known companies sponsored the world premiere of 101 Dalmatians: The Musical.

www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com

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