PNT Presents THE BIG BANG, Now thru 8/31

In a partnership with Williamston Theatre, the smash hit musical "The Big Bang" will come to Performance Network Theatre for a special two-week engagement today, August 21-31. Tickets are on sale now. Ticket holders that had shows cancelled when the Theatre temporarily suspended operations can use those tickets for this exclusive Ann Arbor event.

Encore Michigan raves "This "Big Bang" takes a single, germinating concept and works within that simplicity to explode it into a fully-realized musical that, in its own way, must be seen to be believed."

Directed by Rob Roznowski with Musical Direction by Jeff English and starring Matt Gwynn and Zev Steinberg, "The Big Bang" is the outrageous musical comedy featuring two wanna-be producers desperate to line up funding for their new project. They've set up a "backers' audition" and everyone is invited. With a cast of hundreds, the overblown extravaganza they've written is the biggest thing Broadway has ever seen and depicts the entire history of the world - beginning with the formation of the planets! Will Broadway ever be the same? This zany song-and-dance romp will leave everyone breathless!

Performances of "The Big Bang" take place Thursday through Sunday beginning August 21 through August 31. To purchase tickets, go to www.pntheatre.org or call the box office at 734-663-0681.

To warm up for the "The Big Bang", Performance Network Theatre's first ever Kickoff Weekend runs August 15-17. The weekend consists of Naz's Night, a silent auction and evening of entertainment featuring Network favorite Naz Edwards on Friday; followed by the first ever Network Palooza, an all-day music event on Saturday; and culminating with a family-themed Pancakes with the Pig featuring a special reading of the "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" children's book and other activities for children. For details and to purchase tickets go to www.pntheatre.org or call the box office at 734-663-0681.

As the company reached the half way mark of their fundraising goal of $62,000 by September 1, a group of anonymous donors announced a dollar-for-dollar matching gifts program to benefit the theatre. For every dollar donated between now and September 1 a matching gift will be made up to $10,000. The group of generous donors is also seeking others to join them in funding the match and increasing the maximum to $25,000.

According to Executive Director John Manfredi, "This is a crucial time in our fundraising effort. We're just over half way there, but the second half is always the harder portion to raise. Having this matching program come forward now is a real boost and we are so grateful. It means that starting now every dollar donated is actually worth two dollars, and if we can increase the match to $25,000 we'll surpass our goal and really demonstrate just how much this community wants the Network back."

For more information on donating, or to make a reservation please visit www.pntheatre.org, www.performancenetwork.org or call the box office at 734-663-0681. Performance Network Theatre is located at 120 E. Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI.

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Attached Photo by Chris Purchis featuring Jeff English, Matt Gwynn and Zev Steinberg