PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's Cooper Grodin, Broadway In Chicago Attend 2014 Illinois Governor's Conference

At the opening of the 2014 Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism on Monday, February 3, Broadway In Chicago was recognized "as one of the marquee attractions for tourism in the State of Illinois." Cooper Grodin, who plays the title role in Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, treated guests to a beautiful performance of "The Music of the Night" to kick off the conference in Chicago.

Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago, had the opportunity to present, in person, The Broadway League's Star of Touring Broadway Award to Governor Pat Quinn at the Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards Dinner. This award was designated for the Governor and the Illinois State Legislature, who were acknowledged nationally with this award for their leadership in passing the Live Theatre Production Credit Act, which brings long run and pre-Broadway World Premiere productions to Illinois, making our state one of the top destinations for theatre in the country.

Lou Raizin said in his remarks, "Through this legislation, in one short year, the state of Illinois has supported the world premieres of the Tony Award-winning KINKY BOOTS, BIG FISH and coming this summer Sting's new musical THE LAST SHIP. We are pleased that The Broadway League chose to honor our Governor and State Legislature. Even in these tough economic times, or rather because of them, Governor Quinn and the State of Illinois Legislators have embraced the fact that theater is uniquely positioned not only to support the residents of our great state but also to serve as a major tourism attraction and economic engine."