BROADWAY BALANCES AMERICA Renewed for Second Season

The Balancing Act, the award-winning morning show on the Lifetime Channel, has announced that it has begun shooting the second season of its six-part series, "Broadway Balances America," sponsored by Broadway Across America. The season will launch in August, 2015.

"Broadway Balances America" provides behind-the-scenes access and interviews highlighting shows featured on Broadway Across America's 2015-2016 Broadway series nationwide - from Boston to Costa Mesa, from Houston to Minneapolis, and everywhere in between. The Balancing Act's hosts get up close and personal with casts and crews, even experiencing what it's like to take the show on the road.

Segments:

· THE BALANCING ACT correspondent Amber Milt takes viewers to Cleveland to see how the talented leading actress on the national tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella navigates the demands of her life on stage and off, raising her son on the road and performing eight times per week. Viewers will also meet her leading co-star who recently found his own "fairytale ending."

· Amber hits the boards on Broadway for a unique look backstage at Kinky Boots with an exciting interview with pop sensation Cyndi Lauper (music and lyrics) where they discuss the creation of the Tony-Award winning musical and its huge popularity with all types of audiences. Viewers also get the chance to see how the show gives back to the community by participating in events like the True Colors Fund's "Raise You Up!" day in New York and on the road.

· The contemporary new musical If/Then follows two distinct parallel paths in the life of Elizabeth, the leading character, and illustrates how fate plays a role in our own lives. As rehearsals begin in New York for the national tour, the creative team talks about the inspiration behind this new production.

· Viewers will go behind the scenes at the new production of The Wizard of Oz - an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage featuring new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Amber explores the show's costume shop in Baltimore, MD and meets the young woman who will be touring the country as "Dorothy" as she's fitted for her costumes, and Amber also surprises viewers in a costume of her own.

· Rodgers + Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, with book by Howard LINDSAY and Russel Crouse, is the series' 5th segment, which explores recreating a classic for a whole new national audience. Three-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O'Brien says, "We plan to look more closely at this remarkable work - to tear off the varnish of the past and reveal one of the great, fresh glories of musical theater."

· As part of their 50th Anniversary season, Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony-winning production of Cabaret closes the series with a unique look at the Kit Kat Girls - the women of Cabaret's alluring nightclub who sing, dance, act, AND play instruments. Amber will become an honorary Kit Kat Girl as she meets the actors playing these tough-as-nails nightclub performers, all of whom know what it takes to balance their rigorous production schedule while keeping healthy and fit on the road.

"I'm so proud to be a part of the Broadway community and it's really rewarding to know that the True Colors Fund and Kinky Boots' 'Raise You Up' community program is being supported by THE BALANCING ACT on Lifetime with a national spotlight in an upcoming 'Broadway Balances America' segment," said Cyndi Lauper, the Grammy and Tony Award-winning pop superstar who penned the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots. "It means everything to me that we are giving LGBT youth and their allies a chance to experience Broadway and learn about careers in the theatre from the folks who make the magic happen. This program came about because we wanted to take the message of our show to heart, 'just be who you want to be' by introducing opportunities in the theatre that kids might not even know exist. It's been a huge success in New York and across the country and I applaud THE BALANCING ACT and Lifetime for their support."

"We at Cinderella are so looking forward to being part of the second Season of the "Broadway Balances America" series on The Balancing Act. We look forward to inviting Lifetime viewers into this new, contemporary take on the classic tale to meet some of our extraordinary cast on the national tour. Our show is all about the spirit of kindness and generosity towards others, and "Ella" is an especially strong and inspirational female character and role model. We feel confident that viewers will not only appreciate but relate to the special woman who plays "Ella," while getting a behind the scenes look at how she balances her professional life with motherhood and the supportive environment she shares with her fellow actors while on the road." - Robyn Goodman, Producer of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

"If/Then is an original, contemporary Broadway musical that explores how we choose our lives and how our lives choose us - moments we can all relate to while reflecting on our own personal if/then moments," said producer David Stone. "We're looking forward to inviting Lifetime viewers inside the show's New York rehearsal studio to meet the creative team and cast behind this compelling and deeply moving story. We're thrilled to be part of the second season of "Broadway Balances America" and look forward to audiences experiencing If/Then when the show visits their city in the near future."

"We are so happy to take THE BALANCING ACT viewers behind-the-scenes of the most popular Broadway shows ... meeting some of the actors/directors/choreographers who bring it all to life. These productions are hitting the road as their national tours get underway ... and heading to a stage near you. Everyone can now experience the excitement, music and magic that is Broadway right in their local community," said Jeanne Kelly, Supervising Producer for The Balancing Act.

"Broadway musicals are not just the New York art form; they are the great American art form. We thank our network of local theater partners nationwide and THE BALANCING ACT for helping us share Broadway with that wider audience across the country," said Lauren Reid, CEO Theater Division, Broadway Across America.

"We're so excited to bring our viewers a second season of "Broadway Balances America" on The Balancing Act. We believe in cultivating a love of theater from a young age on up, and what better way to instill that than experiencing Broadway in your own community. We'll be taking viewers behind the scenes to tell THE STORY BEHIND the story, and what it takes to make the magic happen on stage for some of America's most beloved productions, as well as some of the newer, edgier and sexier ones too. You definitely want to tune in!" said Lauren Newman-Giannetti, VP of Partnership Development for The Balancing Act.

To learn more about the Broadway Balances America series, please visit: www.broadwaybalancesamericamerica.com

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