BILL COSBY Returns To Omaha's Orpheum Theatre For Two Shows

Omaha Performing Arts will host comedian and television star Bill Cosby to Slosburg Hall at the Orpheum Theater for two performances on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Bill Cosby is, by any standards, one of the most influential stars in America today. Whether it be through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, Bill Cosby has the ability to touch people's lives. His humor often centers on the basic cornerstones of our existence, seeking to provide an insight into our roles as parents, children, family members, and men and women. Without resorting to gimmickry or lowbrow humor, Bill Cosby's comedy has a point of reference and respect for the trappings and traditions of the great American humorists such as Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, W.C. Fields and Groucho Marx.

The 1984-92 run of The Cosby Show and his books Fatherhood and Time Flies established new
benchmarks on how success is measured. His status at the top of the TVQ survey year after year
continues to confirm his appeal as one of the most popular personalities in America. His lifelong
contributions to American culture were recognized with a Kennedy Center Honor in 1998 and the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in July 2002, America’s highest civilian honor.

The Cosby Show - The 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, released by First Look Studios and Carsey-Werner, available in stores and online at www.BillCosby.com. The DVD box set of the NBC television hit series is the complete collection of one of the most popular programs in the history of television, garnering 29 Emmy® nominations with six wins, six Golden Globe® nominations with three wins and ten People’s Choice Awards.

“The Cosby Show is a message for all time: the family and raising your children matters most,” said Bill Cosby. “Many people approach me and say that the show made them aware that there could be a better life out there for them. At the same time they say that the show still makes them laugh.”

The box set also includes an exclusive, all-new, never-before-seen interview with Bill Cosby, a 25th anniversary hard cover commemorative book, a tribute photo and personal letter from Bill Cosby, a photo gallery slide show, an interview with director Jay Sandrich, a blooper reel and “A Look Back Special.” Also, as an added bonus with each purchase, fans can redeem two free music downloads and Cosby ringtones.

Come On, People! On the Path from Victims to Victors, written by Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and civil rights veteran, lay out their message of hope and empowerment in this New York Times best seller. Come On, People, published by Thomas Nelson, provides real-life examples of the problems plaguing communities throughout America and the timetested solutions that can help turn things around. The audiobook is available online at www.BillCosby.com and read by accomplished actress CCH Pounder, currently in the critically acclaimed FX series, The Shield.

Bill Cosby Presents The Cosnarati: State of Emergency, this rap album was made as a companion to Come On, People! All song story concepts are by Cosby and were assembled by his longtime musical collaborator Bill “Spaceman” Patterson with guest rappers providing the rhymes about the value of an education, respecting one’s self and ... giving (listeners) a chance to raise their self-esteem and confidence. Sold exclusively online at www.BillCosby.com.

Cosby has touched the hearts of a new generation of young children with his Emmy Award winning Little Bill animated series, which aired daily on Nickelodeon and Saturday mornings on CBS. The show was based on Cosby's popular children's books. His interest in young people also spawned his best-selling book, Congratulations! Now What?, published by Hyperion. The book contains his amusing yet wise take on college life and what lies ahead for the new graduate in the real world.

Friends of a Feather: One of Life’s Little Fables, a Harper Entertainment book released in 2003, is a
collaboration with his daughter, Erika, who did the illustrations. It is a beautiful story that explores the theme of being true to yourself.

I Am What I Ate … and I’m frightened!!!, published by HarperCollins was released on September 21, 2004, was also on the New York Times Best Seller List. It offers hip, humorous, hard-earned wisdom on the healthy lifestyle and the behavior behind it.

Fatherhood was launched, appropriately enough, on Father’s Day as an animated series on Nick at Nite. Bill and Camille Cosby produced a live action/animated Fat Albert motion picture in 2004. A box office success, the movie introduced a new generation to the loveable character and his friends, initially famous through the unforgettable Cosby comedy routines about them. The Fat Albert television show and feature now available on DVD.

Cosby often neglected his studies for athletics and, after repeating the tenth grade; he left school to join the Navy. He finished high school via a correspondence course while still in the service. When he was discharged, he enrolled at Temple University with an athletic scholarship and earned academic honors. His goal was to become a physical education teacher. He probably could have made it as a professional football player, but the world is richer in laughter because he decided on show business.

As busy as he is with his many ventures, Cosby has been a crusader throughout his career for a better world and for better understanding between people. Besides his involvement with a host of charity organizations, Cosby is also an active trustee of his alma mater, Temple University of Philadelphia. As philanthropists, Bill and Camille Cosby have made substantial gifts in support of education (most notably to predominantly African American colleges) and to various social service and civil rights organizations. In addition, Cosby earned a Masters Degree in Education (M. Ed.) in 1972 and his Doctorate in Education (Ed. D.) in 1977 from the University of Massachusetts. His doctoral thesis was titled "The Integration of Visual Media Via Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Into the Elementary Schools Culminating as a Teacher Aid to Achieve Increased Learning."

Cosby's been busy raising a family, too. He married the former Camille Hanks on January 25, 1964, whileshe was still a student at the University of Maryland. They raised four daughters (Erika, Erinn, Ensa and Evin) and one son (Ennis Cosby) and now have three grandchildren. The family resides in New England.

When speaking of Camille, Cosby has urged an amendment to the saying, "Behind every good man there's a good woman." He suggests that "behind" should be substituted with "Three miles ahead."

Camille has not only raised five children, but has also been totally involved in her husband's career. She produced his last album and has taped several concerts over the years. She has received her doctorate in education and plays an active role in a number of important national organizations. Camille enjoyed great success adapting the best-selling book Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years. First she produced the property as a Broadway play and then as a television movie. The play was nominated for three Tony Awards and the television film won a Peabody Award. Camille also produced a one-hour sociological documentary film No Dreams Deferred, which aired on over 150 public television stations. When Oprah Winfrey debuted her new magazine in April 2000, she chose Camille Cosby as her very first interview.

For more than five decades Bill Cosby has graced us through virtually every entertainment outlet. Join us in celebrating his entrance into the World Wide Web by visiting www.BillCosby.com.
Preview video of Bill Cosby at www.OmahaPerformingArts.org.

Tickets are on sale now for Bill Cosby, and all of the performances within the Omaha Performing Arts Presents 2008/09 season. Tickets may be purchased through Ticket Omaha online at TicketOmaha.org, by phone at (402) 345-0606 or in person at the Ticket Omaha Box Office inside the Holland Center, 13th and Douglas streets. Tickets for Bill Cosby are priced $37-$57.

Omaha Performing Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing world-class performances to the Omaha metropolitan area. The organization manages two landmark venues, the Holland Performing Arts Center and the Orpheum Theater – the former, which includes the acoustically acclaimed Kiewit Concert Hall and Scott Recital Hall and the latter, which includes Slosburg Hall, a proscenium theater. Omaha Performing Arts also manages Ticket Omaha, provider of comprehensive ticketing services for arts within the region. Omaha Performing Arts’ commitment to the arts extends into its own series, Omaha Performing Arts Presents, as well as education and community involvement programs that help ensure the arts have a far-reaching impact. In partnership with Broadway Across America, Omaha Performing Arts also brings the finest in touring Broadway productions to Omaha. Omaha Performing Arts performances are supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Omaha and the Douglas County Visitor
Improvement Fund.

Photo taken from www.BillCosby.com.

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