First Stage Announces GOLDEN TICKET Contest

First Stage announces the GOLDEN TICKET SWEEPSTAKES! First Stage CHARLIE BARS will be on sale throughout the month of February at ten area Balistreri-owned Sendik's Food Markets, Kehr's Candies located at the Milwaukee Public Market, and in the lobby during First Stage performances of DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center and A WRINKLE IN TIME at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

One lucky GOLDEN TICKET winner will win a deluxe trip to see CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY for four, complete with an exclusive backstage tour, gift certificates for concessions, merchandise and dinner at Joey Buona's Restaurant, a copy of the Roald Dahl classic "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" signed by the cast, a three-play Family Package to First Stage's 2012-2013 season and more. Every chocolate bar in the sweepstakes is a winner – with prizes ranging from a ticket discount to CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY to a three-play Family Package to our exciting 2012-2013 season! For more information and official rules please visit www.firststage.org.

Proceeds from the sale of First Stage Charlie Bars support First Stage's Community Partnership Program, a comprehensive program that makes First Stage programming available and easily accessible to low-income families and City of Milwaukee schools.

About CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
First Stage brings CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY to the stage from March 2-31, 2012 at the Todd Wehr Theater in the Marcus Center for the Performing arts located at 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee. Charlie Bucket's golden ticket is his passport into Willy Wonka's whimsical world of wacky wonders. Join Charlie and his Grandpa Joe as they take a daring adventure into a world of pure imagination, filled with Oompa-Loompas, squirrels, chocolate rivers, and cotton candy dreams. Directed by Jeff Frank, this visually stunning version of the Roald Dahl children's classic was adapted by Richard George. Seeing the story on stage is sure to have enough excitement to satisfy the sweet tooth of everyone in your entire family! For everyone ages 6 and up. Tickets and information at www.firststage.org.

About First Stage
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in the 2011-12 season, First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences for young people and families through professional Theater Productions that inspire, enlighten, and entertain; unparalleled Theater Academy training that fosters life skills through stage skills; and dynamic Theater in Education programs that promote active learning in our schools and community. First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education and Americans for the Arts, as well as Theatre Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).