BROADWAY'S NEXT HIT MUSICAL Comes To Montalvo Arts Center In Saratoga

The only unscripted theatrical award show of its kind, Broadway's Next Hit Musical hits the stage with some of New York's finest master improvisers at Montalvo Arts Center. Gathering made-up hit song suggestions from the audience, these pros then create a spontaneous showcase of music, humor, and laughter. The audience votes for their favorite song, and watches as the cast turns it on-the-spot into a full blown musical-complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. Hailed as all-improvised and all-funny, this evening is indeed a one-of-a-kind experience. Broadway's Next Hit Musical will be presented 8:00pm, Friday, May 3 at Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Rd., Saratoga. For tickets ($59 Reserved, $65 Premier) or more information, the public may visit www.montalvoarts.org or call 408-961-5858.

Broadway's Next Hit Musical was welcomed by critics, who called it, "Hilarious!" (The New York Times), "brilliant" (TheaterWeek), and "remarkable" (The New York Post), with Time Out NY adding, "At last! A musical of, for, and by the people." In addition to Deb Rabbai and Rob Schiffman, Co-Artistic Directors and Co-Producers of the group, the cast features Matt Giroveanu, Robert Z. Grant, Katie Hammond, and Stefan Schick. The emcees for Broadway's Next Hit Musical are Robb Coles, Marc T. Engberg, and Greg Triggs.

Deb Rabbai (Co-Artistic Director/Co-Producer/Performer) is an original member and co-creator of Broadway's Next Hit Musical. A graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Rabbai spent 10 years performing and teaching improvisation with Freestyle Repertory Theatre, five years performing with ComedySportz New York City, and seven years with the Chicago City Limits national touring company. She has also appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and in national commercials for MasterCard, Wendy's, and Zyrtec.

Rob Schiffman (Co-Artistic Director/Co-Producer/Performer) has worked and toured as a professional improviser and musician for over 17 years. As a two-time Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Award winner and recipient of the 2011 Improvisation News New York Award for Best Improv Coach, his improv talents are known across the country. A graduate of Oberlin College, Schiffman performed regularly with Chicago City Limits before joining Broadway's Next Hit Musical in 2001.

For nearly 60 years, Montalvo Arts Center's Carriage House Theatre Concert Series has presented world-class talent in an intimate indoor setting, becoming a treasured series for performing arts fans in Silicon Valley. Housed in the 316-seat Claire Loftus Carriage House Theatre, the series features a diverse array of artists from a variety of genres from classical to jazz to R&B, rock, plus theatre, comedy, and more. Guests have the option to arrive early and mingle in Montalvo's Project Space ArtBar, where wine, beer, and other beverages are available for purchase before the show.

Montalvo Arts Center is a donor-supported nonprofit institution, whose mission is to engage the public in the creative process, acting as a catalyst for exploring the arts, unleashing creativity, and advancing different cultural and cross-cultural perspectives. Located in Silicon Valley's Saratoga Hills, Montalvo occupies a Mediterranean-style Villa, built in 1912 by Senator James Duval Phelan, surrounded by 175 stunning acres. Senator Phelan bequeathed the Villa and grounds to the people of California for the encouragement of art, music, literature, and architecture, a mandate Montalvo has carried forward ever since its founding. The grounds include the campus of the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Program (LAP), the Claire Loftus Carriage House Theatre, and the Lillian Fontaine Garden Theatre, as well as miles of hiking trails, terraces, gardens, and other picturesque public areas.