5th Avenue's Spotlight Night To Feature Bartlett Sher & More

The 5th Avenue's enormously popular Spotlight Night series, a free event that continues to attract record crowds, continues on Tuesday, January 5 with a look at two of our upcoming shows, South Pacific and Legally Blonde: The Musical.

Hosted by The 5th Avenue's Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong, the program features three of the most important people of the American Theatre: songwriter Laurence O'Keefe, Tony Award-winning producer Hal Luftig and Seattle's own Tony Award-winning director, Bartlett Sher.

The evening begins with a conversation with Legally Blonde songwriter Laurence O'Keefe and producer Hal Luftig, who give us the inside story of creating this hit Broadway musical based on the popular filM. O'Keefe will play and sing excerpts from his musicals (including the cult favorite Bat Boy) and Luftig will share experiences of his 20-year career as the producer of Broadway hits such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Movin' Out, the current revival of West Side Story and the upcoming Catch Me If You Can, which had its world premiere here at The 5th Avenue last summer.

In our evening's "second act," we look at the Tony-sweeping revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, which brought spectacular new life to a musical that hadn't been revived on Broadway since its original production in 1949. Join Bartlett Sher-the outbound Artistic Director of Seattle's Intiman Theatre and Resident Director at Lincoln Center Theatre-as he discusses how he and his team made a classic come alive for a new generation.

We conclude with a look at the career of South Pacific's creators, Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, who revolutionized the American Musical by creating what they called "the musical play." The 5th Avenue's David Armstrong will tell the story of this legendary team, from their early shows with other collaborators to their historic partnership, their timeless shows and their enduring effect on the musical theater. Featuring musical performances by some of Seattle's finest singers including Patti Cohenour, Jessica Skerrit and Eric Ankrim performing selections from Oklahoma!, Carousel, Flower Drum Song, Cinderella, The King and I and The Sound of Music.

Spotlight Night begins at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday January 5. The event is free, but attendees must reserve their tickets. They can do so over the phone by calling 206-625-1900/toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at www.5thavenue.org.

Spotlight Night is sponsored by US Bank. Performances and guest appearances are subject to change.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.

Spotlight Night is sponsored by US Bank. Performances and guest appearances are subject to change.

Our thanks to The 5th Avenue's 2009-2010 Co-Season Sponsors Safeco Insurance and US Bank.

Photo credit: Walter McBride

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