NORTHWESTERN SONGWRITERS IN CONCERT Set for Pershing Square Signature Center, 3/19

TOUCHING DOWN: NORTHWESTERN SONGWRITERS IN CONCERT will come to the End Stage Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street) for one night only on Monday, March 19, 2012 at 7:30PM. The concert will feature original songs by eight undergraduate Northwestern University seniors.

The musical theatre songwriting curriculum at Northwestern University was created by award-winning writer and director David H. Bell. Bell was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for writing Hot Mikado. His work at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Marriott Theatre In Lincolnshire, and Drury Lane Oakbrook has earned him 43 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations with 11 wins. He recently directed the smash hit new musical Murder for Two which ran for six sold out months at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Bell formerly served as Artistic Director of the historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. and Associate Director at the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta, GA. Currently, he serves as Professor and Head of the Musical Theatre Program at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

“Nurturing fresh young voices for musical theatre is an important mission to ensure the longevity of this great American art form,” said Bell. “These eight songwriters each have a unique style and exciting talent. Northwestern is proud to be able to present their work in a concert that will surely be an event to remember.”

Many of the songs featured in the concert have appeared in The Waa-Mu Show, Northwestern’s annual student-written musical extravaganza that boasts alumni such as screen legend Ann-Margret, Academy Award winner Warren Beatty, Tony Award nominee Brian D’Arcy James (TV’s “Smash,” Shrek the Musical, Next to Normal), 1998 Miss America and Broadway star Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde, Wonderland), composer and lyricist Jeff Blumenkrantz, and Tony Award winning lyricist and living legend Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello!, She Loves Me).

TOUCHING DOWN: NORTHWESTERN SONGWRITERS IN CONCERT features songs by Jeremy Fassler, Alex Goldklang, Jon Harrison, Alexi Kovin, Emily Maltby, David Pollak, Kara Goldsmith and Patrick Sulken. The event will feature performances by Ellie Bensinger, Will Carlyon, Lillie Cummings, Ben Estus, Jon Harrison, Jessica Kahkoska, Alexi Kovin, Corey Moss, Michelle Schechter, Desiree Staples, Patrick Sulken, and Ed Wasserman. The event is produced by Zachary Baer and Lucas McMahon, directed by Emily Maltby, and music directed by David Fiorello.

Tickets to the one night only concert event are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!