Mark Stuart and Jeff Eckstein Announced WHEN CHANGE COMES: A MOVEMENT

Mark Stuart, founder of Mark Stuart Dance Theatre, along with Jeff Eckstein, announced today that When Change Comes: A Movement Forward, formerly called Standard Time, will play a limited tour in September of 2018. Performances are September 7-8 at Madison Theatre at Molloy College (1000 Hempstead Ave, Rockville Centre, NY), and September 13-16 at New York Live Arts Theater (219 W 19th St, New York City).

When Change Comes is a powerful dance musical that asks one question: Can the act of "seeing" each other without judgment or fear break the cycle of intolerance? Featuring a cast of world-renowned dancers, singers, and musicians, When Change Comes transports audiences through a century of music, movement, and human connection in the shadow of our nation's most defining moments. Using Mark Stuart Dance Theatre's explosive brand of storytelling, When Change Comes follows three love stories set against the backdrops of the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and the LGBTQIA+ Rights Movement. Danced to hit standards from the 1930's, 1960's, and the 2000's, the show features 7 dancers, 3 vocalists and a 5-piece band.

When Change Comes aims to inspire and empower audiences to create positive change in their communities. The show's format includes post-performance discussions that focus on committing small everyday acts of kindness, learning to truly "see" each other, and building empathetic dialogue about equality and tolerance. The tag line, A Movement Forward, exists as a challenge: Can we all turn seemingly small acts of kindness into a tidal wave of positive change?

Starring Jaime Verazin (Bandstand, Finding Neverland), Marc Heitzman (Bandstand, Cats), and Voltaire Wade-Greene (Hamilton), When Change Comes also features Brian Golub, Samantha Farrow, Jacob Melvin, Mary Page Nance, Connor Schwantes, Nick Silverio, and Robyn Williams.

"I've stood on the sidelines for too long because I didn't know how to make a difference. What can one person do in the face of so much division and fear?," Stuart says. "But then I remembered why I created Mark Stuart Dance Theatre ten years ago: because art changes people, and people change the world."

Conceived by Stuart and Verazin, When Change Comes is directed by Stuart and brought to life through collaboration with over 75 artists from Mark Stuart Dance Theatre. Alessandra Marconi (ABC's "Dirty Dancing") serves as the associate choreographer, with Nate Hopkins (Bandstand) as music director, and Julie Duro (Paper Mill Playhouse, Brooklyn Academy Of Music) as the lighting designer.

Tickets for September 7 and 8 at Madison Theater are $35-45, with student tickets priced at $10, and available by visiting http://madisontheatreny.org/event/when-change-comes/.

Tickets for September 13- 16 at New York Live Arts Theater are $55, with student tickets priced at $10, and are available by visiting https://newyorklivearts.secure.force.com/ticket/#details_a0S0Z00000rQ8Y7UAK. Valid student ID must be presented at will call for student tickets. The performance on Sunday, September 16 at 5pm is the Mark Stuart Dance Theatre 10th Anniversary gala. Tickets for this performance will be $150 each.

Stuart's work has been called "Smoldering" by the New York Times, and NPR said that Standard Time "...has a real - and rare - power to it." The Citizens Voice said the show was "a smashing new musical with a heartfelt message."

Mark Stuart believes that there's magic within all of us. Within you. He can't wait to see what you do with it... Stuart most recently served as the associate choreographer of Bandstand on Broadway (Tony Award for Best Choreography). As producing artistic director of Mark Stuart Dance Theatre, he created, directed, and choreographed the award nominated Off-Broadway dance-musical STANDARD TIME: When Change Comes. Stuart's award-winning choreography and performances have been featured on Broadway, in films, commercials, and in print. Film/TV: ABC's "Dirty Dancing" (assistant choreographer), Hail Caesar; Broadway: Bandstand (assistant choreographer), Women on The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown; Print: Italian Vogue (choreographer). Visit MarkStuartDanceTheatre.org