TBPAC's Bank of America Best of Broadway Tampa Bay Series To Feature IN THE HEIGHTS & More In 2009-2010 Season

It's going to be a high-flying Broadway season in 2009-2010 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The Bank of America Best of Broadway Tampa Bay series includes In the Heights, the 2008 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical; South Pacific, the 2008 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival; Little House on the Prairie starring television icon Melissa Gilbert; the spectacle of Cirque Dreams Illumination and the family favorite Mary Poppins. The series will also include Godspell produced by TBPAC, the world premiere of the new musical Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure and the eagerly anticipated return of Wicked.

For most family friendly shows in the Broadway series, TBPAC offers a night of affordable family fun at Broadway Family Night. While some restrictions apply, a child's ticket is FREE with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket at these select performances. Broadway Family Nights are scheduled for Wonderland (Dec. 2, 2009), Little House on the Prairie (March 3, 2010), Cirque Dreams: Illumination (March 24, 2010), Godspell (May 5, 2010) and Mary Poppins (June 2, 1010). Typically there are also free, pre-performance games and activities for the kids as well as post-performances talk-backs with cast members.

Additionally, students who enroll in select Fall classes at the Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay
Performing Arts Center will receive free tickets to certain shows at TBPAC. Additionally, students often have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets in advance to a variety of performances.

"It's crucial for students to see examples of what they are learning in the classroom up on stage. Not only does observing live performance enhance and maximize their learning experience, it can inspire!" said Wendy Leigh, vice president of education and humanities. "We want to be sure our students have these opportunities and because we are part of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, we are in a unique position to offer such meaningful experiences."

Students will be paired with performances in the following manner:
• Youth Theater classes, grades Pre-K through three: Charlotte's Web
• Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet's Orlando Ballet Program: Complexions Contemporary Ballet
• Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra: Florida Orchestra
• Theater classes, grades seven through 12: Godspell
• Musical Theater classes, grades six through 12: Godspell
• Patel Conservatory Youth Theater, grades nine through 12: Godspell
• Adult Musical Theater classes: In The Heights
• Creative Drama classes, grades two and three: Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown
• Vocal classes, grades three through 12 and adult: Lucia di Lammermoor and La Rondine
• Youth Theater classes, grades four through six: Mary Poppins
• Musical Theater classes, grades two through five: Mary Poppins
• Patel Conservatory Youth Theater Jr., grades three through eight: Mary Poppins
• Youth Theater classes, grades Pre-K through two: The Pied Piper and Other Fantastic Tales
• Adult Musical Theater classes: South Pacific
• Theater classes, grades four through 12: Wonderland
• Musical Theater classes, grades two through 12: Wonderland
• Patel Conservatory Youth Theater Jr, grades three through eight: Wonderland
• Patel Conservatory Youth Theater, grades nine through 12: Wonderland
• Adult Acting classes: Wonderland

"The level of instruction we offer at the Patel Conservatory is truly the best. Our instructors are professionals in their fields and occasionally students may even see their own instructors on stage! Offering this additional bonus of free and discounted tickets to professional performances is just an added layer of benefit that makes sense," Leigh said.

The Patel Conservatory offers classes for children and adults of all experience levels in all kinds of dance, music, theater and media arts. More information is available by calling 813.222.1002, and by visiting www.patelconservatory.org.

For more information on season tickets please visit www.tbpac.org.

 

 

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