The State Holds Advanced Screening of Documentary Film, Benefits FREDDY Awards

MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS, the documentary film shot during the 2008 FREDDY© Awards program by CANYONBACK FILMS, will be shown in a special advanced screening at the State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton, the home of the FREDDY© Awards, on Friday, April 16th. The principal sponsor of the evening is Air Products Foundation.

There are two screenings scheduled for April 16th. The first will begin at 8:30 PM and will also include pre-show reception tickets to benefit the FREDDY© Awards program. In addition, there will be a Midnight screening designed specially for FREDDY© participating schools, students and parents at a reduced ticket cost.

Patrons of the 8:30 PM screening will also be able to purchase Raffle Tickets for their chance to win 2 tickets to be in the audience for the 2010 FREDDY© Awards Ceremony on May 27th.

Filmmakers Matthew Kallis and Christopher Lockhart from CANYONBACK FILMS will be in attendance and will address the audiences at both the 8:30 pm and Midnight screenings. While on location in 2008, they shot over 300 hours of film, following the schools from rehearsal of their own productions through awards ceremony night. They also spent hours with FREDDY© production staff and members of the extended "FREDDY" community of the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

"A documentary is expected to have something to say whether it be about the human condition or a social cause," note the filmmakers. "Here, the cause is that high school performing arts deserve to be treated with the same kind of respect as high school sports. High school sports are regularly lavished with funding, publicity and scholarships, but this convention is challenged in the Lehigh Valley, PA where dedicated theater kids take center stage to present elaborate versions of Broadway musicals. Illustrating that the performing arts encourage the same teamwork, camaraderie and confidence as sports, MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS culminates with a race to the FREDDY© Awards - the "Super Bowl" of high school musical theater."

Kallis and Lockhart call the advance screening at the State Theatre "a great start to the film's life." "We want MOST VALUABLE PAYERS to be seen by as many people as possible," they add. "We hope that other cities around the country are inspired by the FREDDY Awards and take up arms to promote arts education in their own way."

Advanced Screening Ticket Information - all proceeds will benefit the non-profit FREDDY© Awards program
Friday, April 16: 8:30 PM Screening
Gala Level Tickets: $150 includes movie ticket, pre-show reception in the Acopian Ballroom beginning at 7 PM and one free Raffle Ticket. Reception includes a special Carrabba's Buffet, open bar, meet & greet with the filmmakers, and performances by FREDDY© alumni. Gala Patrons will also receive a Patron Ad in the evening's program. There will also be Corporate Packages available at the Gala Level. The reception is sponsored by Carrabba's Italian Grill.

Gallery Tickets: $100 includes movie ticket, one free Raffle Ticket, light refreshments, complimentary beer, wine & soda, and performances by FREDDY© Alumni in the Alvin H. Butz Gallery beginning at 7:30 PM. The 2009 FREDDY© Awards Photo Retrospective will also be on exhibit in The Gallery. Gallery Patrons will also receive a listing in the evening's program.

Reserved Seating: $50, show time 8:30 PM

Tickets for the 8:30 PM showing and receptions are available now. Gallery Tickets and Reserved Seating can be purchased at the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street, Easton by phone at 1-800-999-STATE (610-252-3132) or online at www.statetheatre.org. Gala Level tickets can be purchased online or through the Development Office at 610-258-7766 x237 or x223. Corporate Packages are also available through the Development Office.

Friday, April 16: Midnight Screening for FREDDY© participating schools, students and parents.
Reserved Seating: $10 for students with school ID (one ticket per ID), $25 for adults

Tickets for the Midnight screening will be made available through the FREDDY© Awards participating schools.

Since 2003, the State Theatre Center for the Arts FREDDY© Awards program has recognized and rewarded exceptional accomplishments in the production and performance of musical theater in high schools in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania, and Warren County, New Jersey. The annual program culminates in a 3-hour television awards ceremony broadcast live from the State Theatre and produced in partnership with WFMZ Channel 69. The 2010 FREDDY© Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 27th at 7 PM. The show can be seen live on WFMZ and on the web at www.wfmz.com.

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