WE WILL ROCK YOU National Tour to Play TUTS, 1/22-2/2

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) presents the worldwide smash hit "rock theatrical" We Will Rock You, running Jan. 22 - Feb. 2, 2014 at Hobby Center's Sarofim Hall. This hilarious, multi-award-winning and record-breaking musical phenomenon is created by celebrated British comedian and writer Ben Elton (TV's "MR. Bean" and "The Young Ones"), and boasts 24 of Queen's biggest songs including "Another One Bites The Dust", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "We Are The Champions," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and, of course, "We Will Rock You."

We Will Rock You takes place in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation. Globalization is complete. Individuality is taboo. Everyone watches the same movies, wears the same clothes and thinks the same thoughts. Music is generated by the corporation's computers, rock music is unheard and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely resistance - an alliance of rebel Bohemians, waiting for a hero to lead the battle to bring the power of rock back to the people.

Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor are musical supervisors to the show, who also took an active role in casting the singer/actors and musicians. The cast features Brian Justin Crum as Galileo, Ruby Lewis as Scaramouche, Jacqueline Arnold as Killer Queen, P.J. Griffith as Khashoggi, Ryan Knowles as Buddy, Erica Peck as Oz and Jared Zirilli as Britney.

Rounding out the ensemble are Danny Balkwill, Samantha Berman, Bentley Black, Jessica Crouch, Saccha Dennis, Sam DiGiuseppe, Suzanna Dupree, Daniel Greenberg, Stephen Hernandez, Nathan Keen, William Joseph Lewis, Brooke Morrison, Jennifer Mote, Katie Murphy, Jennifer Noble, Fred Odgaard, Patrick Ortiz, Jason Sermonia, Stephanie Sy and Kasey Walker.

The We Will Rock You band includes Rick Hip-Flores (Musical Director/Conductor), Brandon Ethridge (Assistant Conductor/Keyboards), Emily Marshall (Keyboards), Tristan Avakian (Guitar), Bob Wegner (Guitar), Mike Cohen (Bass), David Stevens (Percussion) and Danny Young (Drums).

For the US production, writer and director Ben Elton has redrafted his original script to resonate with US audiences as well as reflect the cultural changes since he first penned the storyline. "Apart from addressing the broader social and technological changes, I also get the chance to update moments of topical humor," says Elton. New additions to the show include the most current pop culture references (yes, there is a Miley Cyrus twerking joke!) and the addition of a new song, "You're My Best Friend."

TUTS will offer several special events in conjunction with the show to make for an unforgettable musical experience:

• Stage-side pit seating: Wednesday, January 22 - Sunday, February 2
  • Attention all Queen fans! Celebrate the genius behind the music that continues to inspire generations. Like a real rock concert, the band will be shredding their guitars from the stage allowing us to add two additional rows of seating in the orchestra pit. Nothing beats the best seats in the house! Visit TUTS.com/WWRYPit to purchase pit seats.
• Queen Sing-Along at the Alamo Drafthouse, Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 7 p.m.
  • It's time to bust out your best catsuit, slap on your complimentary mustache, and prepare to take your voice on a four-octave journey of non-stop rock. This free event at the Alamo Drafthouse (114 Vintage Park Boulevard) will have live performances, music videos, a chance to win tickets to TUTS' upcoming production of the Queen musical We Will Rock You, and maybe even a couple of movie montages as you wail out some of the best songs of all time.
• Saint Arnolds Brewery pre-show party: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Get ready to party like a Bohemian rock star at Saint Arnold Brewery (2000 Lyons Ave)! Sample some of Houston's finest beers and fuel up on appetizers from Spaghetti Warehouse before entering the rockin' Air Guitar contest! If you don't "Bite The Dust", hop on the tube to the Hobby Center for an unforgettable performance of TUTS' We Will Rock You. No Radio Ga Ga here, just an evening of great beer and some of the greatest Queen music of all time! Visit TUTS.com/Events to purchase tickets.
• Teen Night at TUTS: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Purchase a full price adult ticket and get a ticket for a teen under age 18 free! Buy today at TUTS.com/Events as this special offer will sell out!
• OUT@TUTS post-show cast party: Thursday, January 23, 2014
  • A post-show, cabaret-style event at Artista Restaurant for TUTS' GLBT friends. Visit TUTS.com/OUT for more information.
• Culture + Cuisine: Wednesday, January 22 - Sunday, February 2
  • Make it the perfect night with a delicious dinner before the show. Enjoy special pricing on a set 3 course meal followed by an orchestra level seat. A shuttle is available on request to travel between the partner restaurants and Hobby Center. These dinner packages are available in conjunction with all evening performances.
  • For more information or to purchase a dinner package, visit TUTS.com/CultureCuisine or call the box office at 713-558-8887.

We Will Rock You is a Phil Mcintyre Entertainment, Tribeca Theatrical Productions and Queen Theatrical Productions presentation. Ben Elton wrote the book and directed the production. The music and music supervision were provided by Queen/Roger Taylor and Brian May. Arlene Phillips choreographed the show and directed the musical staging. The show features the work of production designer Mark Fisher and lighting designer Willie Williams. Bobby Aitken served as the sound engineer. Tim Goodchild designed the costumes. Tracey Flye is the associate director and associate choreographer of the North American tour.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. An audio described performance is available Sunday, February 2 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik

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