Spotlight Night Tuesday 1/5 - South Pacific & Legally Blonde!

Don't miss the next Spotlight Night at The 5th Avenue Theatre!
These popular free events take you behind the scenes of our upcoming production.

Reserve your tickets in advance by calling 206-625-1900 or stopping by the box office.
You can also reserve your tickets online here:http://bit.ly/8NBVpA

Three of the most important people of the American Theatre will be on our stage for this special free evening: songwriter Laurence O'Keefe, Tony-Award winning producer Hal Luftig and Seattle's Own Tony-award winning director, Bartlett Sher.

ACT 1: “Oh, My God You Guys!”
Meet the Co-Composer/Lyricist and the Lead Producer of Legally Blonde The Musical.

Legally Blonde songwriter Laurence O’Keefe and Tony Award-winning producer Hal Luftig will take us behind-the-scenes of the creation of this big, hit Broadway musical based on the popular film. O’Keefe will play and sing excerpts from his musicals (including the cult favorite Bat Boy) and Luftig will share experiences of his 20-year career as the producer ofBroadway hits such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Movin’ Out, the current Broadway revival of West Side Story and the upcoming Catch Me If You Can.

ACT 2: “Some Enchanted Evening”
The Rebirth of a Classic Musical

Director Bartlett Sher’s smash-hit Tony Award-winning revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific brought spectacular new life to a musical that hadn’t been revived on Broadway since its original production in 1949. Join Sher—the outgoing artistic director of Seattle’s Intiman Theatre and resident director at Lincoln Center Theatre—as he discusses how he and his team made a classic come alive for a new generation.ACT 3: “A Grand Night for Singing”The Art and Artistry of Rodgers & HammersteinSouth Pacific’s creators, Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, revolutionized the American musical by creating what they called “the musical play.” The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong will tell the story of this legendary team, from their early shows with other collaborators to their historic partnership, their timeless shows and their enduring effect on the musical theater. Featuring musical performances by some of Seattle’s finest singers including Patti Cohenour, Jessica Skerrit and Eric Ankrim performing selections from Oklahoma!, Carousel, Flower Drum Song, Cinderella, The King and I and The Sound of Music.

Spotlight Night is sponsored by US Bank.
Performances and guest appearances are subject to change.
Facebook event page here: http://bit.ly/7OUODv

New Voices is back and better than ever! ACT Theatre Monday December 28

Back and better than ever, NEW VOICES gives Seattle its first look at the future of musical theatre. An exciting blend of Sondheim and pop/rock, this next generation of composers is turning Broadway on its ear.

In its' eighth incarnation, NEW VOICES brings Seattle audiences something unique and incredibly entertaining: the chance to hear new musical theatre numbers sung by some of the best vocal talents in town. NEW VOICES will not want to miss out!

Join the Facebook Event Page: http://bit.ly/91CA4t

Order tickets through ACT Theatre: http://bit.ly/6NhzT8

5th Avenue Theatre alumni include:

Nick Garrison (Emcee, CABARET; ROCKY HORROR...; Re-Bar's HEDWIG)

Brandon O'Neill (JOSEPH..., MISS SAIGON, ROCKY HORROR, BUDDY, CABARET)

Eric Ankrim (Jack, INTO THE WOODS; PETER PAN at Seattle Children's Theatre)

Angie Louise (Frau Kost, CABARET)

Nick DeSantis (SUNDAY IN THE PARK...)

Jennifer Paz (Narrator, JOSEPH...)

Tanesha Ross (HAIR)

Diana Huey (MAME)

Cayman Ilika (BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story; PATSY CLINE, CenterStage/ACT)

nd R.J. Tancioco (JOSEPH..., HAIR) at the piano. (we hear there's also a guitar, bass, cellist and drummer, too!)

Makes a great gift for any musical theatre fan. Or, if you're on santa's "nice" list this year, treat yourself to a fantastic evening of theatre.

It's this coming monday, so clear your calendar and get your tickets!

More details here.

Broadway Fit - work out to Broadway tunes!

Broadway Fit Aerobics Class

Get in shape while dancing to your favorite Broadway standards!

This aerobics-style dance class is designed for adult musical theatre lovers of all levels and backgrounds.

Whether you are a beginner, or a more advanced dancer looking for a fun, energetic workout, Broadway Fit is for you.

The instructors, all 5th Avenue dancers, create an encouraging, light-hearted, and fun atmosphere for all skill levels. Each class includes a warm-up that focuses on stretching and flexibility, a cardio-workout focusing on strength, and a fun dance combination from your favorite musicals.

Winter Session: January 4-March 10, 2010

Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30-7:45 pm

Class prices vary. Please click here for information, or call the education department at 206 625-1418.

Dance Classes for Kids & Teens!

Have you heard about our Saturday dance classes for teens? This makes a great gift for the holidays for the dancers and performers in your life!

For Broadway-bound children and teens, The 5th Avenue Theatre offers Saturday morning classes in ballet, jazz and tap. Whether you’re just starting out, or well on your way to the Great White Way, you’ll find a class to fit your needs.

All classes are taught by professional dancers and choreographers.

THREE NEW CLASSES ADDED:

NEW! Intro to Musical Theatre Dance (ages 8-13)This is a mixed level class that introduces musical theatre dance to young students. Emphasis will be on ballet and jazz techniques and will combine barre, center work and basic dance combinations from musicals. Jazz or ballet shoes required.

NEW! Beginning Tap for Musical Theatre (ages 13-18)This class is designed for the beginning tap student, or students looking for a refresher course on the basics of tap dance. Students will learn tap techniques from the first step through the basic steps that any tap dancer must know including shuffle, flap, cramp-roll, riff, pullbacks, and wings. Class will focus on introducing the basics and learning beginning tap dance combinations. Tap shoes required.

NEW! Intermediate/Advanced Tap for Musical Theatre (ages 8-13)This class is designed for the more advanced tap student. Students will practice basic tap steps while learning essential skills that include transition steps and combinations such as flap-ball-change,waltz clog, maxi ford, shim sham, time steps, etc. Focus will be on presentationand musicality and students will learn essential tap dance skills to prepare for auditions. Tap shoes required. We also have classes in Ballet and Jazz for Musical Theatre. Prices and times vary. For more information and to download a registration form, please visit www.5thavenue.org/education/danceclasses

Have a FEE FREE Holiday & get the best seats available!

Create a holiday memory that your family will never forget!

White Christmas plays The 5th Avenue Theatre now through December 30.

We've heard the rumors, but they're not true! You can STILL get great seats to White Christmas!

As a reader of our blog, facebook and/or twitter, you get the inside scoop:

Best seats available are for performances December 26 – 30!

Have a FEE FREE Holiday!

Buy any ticket for White Christmas for December 26 – 30 performances

(including a special added Monday evening performance)

and use the code NOFEES when buying to avoid all service fees!

Online at www.5thavenue.org over the phone at 206-625-1900 or in person at the box office!

Not valid with any other offers or on previously purchased tickets.

To take advantage of this limited-time offer, use codeword NOFEES when logging in at 5thavenue.org or when purchasing tickets over the phone at 206.625.1900.

White Christmas has TWO monday evening performances 12/21 and 12/28!

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music Giveaway on Facebook!

Enter to win 2 tickets to Sing-A-Long Sound of Music!

Here's how:

1) Visit and join our event page at http://bit.ly/SASOM09

2) Scroll under photo on right to SHARE button, hit share and share on your profile to all your friends (feel free to include a personalized message

3) visit http://www.facebook.com/5thave and write on our wall! Your message should include something about Sing-A-Long Sound Of Music (whether that's your excitement, costume idea or experience at a past year, it doesn't matter)

1 entry per person, entries taken until Thursday 12/17 at 11am! We will use a random number generator to pick the winner from all the valid entries on our wall!

The "Susans" of White Christmas create "Cookies for a Cause!"

Since moving into their dressing room, Lauren Carlos (10) and Drea Gordon (12), who play Susan Waverly, have been having a blast with White Christmas and have become great friends.

One night during a sleepover, the girls decorated several dozen gingerbread cookies and brought them to rehearsal the following morning to share with fellow cast & crew members. The cookies were in such high demand that the girls decided to sell them for 50 cents a piece with all proceeds going to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. And "Cookies for a Cause" was born!

The girls keep bringing in homemade cookies and selling them almost too fast to keep up with. As of last saturday, they've raised over $200! Lauren says. "At our half-hour call, the stage manager announced what kind of cookie we had, and all 70 cookies were sold in one evening!"

Drea has high hopes for the pair's charity of choice..."Our goal is going to be to raise $400" she says. "I think we can do it!"

So far the cookies have ranged from gingerbread, to pumpkin chocolate chip, and candy cane shortbread. Their fundraiser is doing so well that the girls have started asking for donations of cookies to sell!

Only a few spots left in our Gingerbread House Event!

Only a few spots left for our upcoming Gingerbread House Workshop!
Contact Amanda at amorris@5thavenue.org for more info or to reserve your spot!

Check out all Events & Special offers around White Christmas at The 5th Avenue!

This holiday activity is sure to bring the joy of the season to the whole family!
Be sure to contact us today to reserve your spot - space is limited!
One family/group can share a house OR you can book your own!

Gingerbread House Event

Join us Downstairs at The 5th on December 20 and work with Kaspars Special Events and Catering to assemble and decorate a festive gingerbread house before or after attending White Christmas.

December 20, 2009
4:00-6:00pm

Price: $40 per house. Price includes one house, light beverages, and holiday treats.

Details: Space is limited, so email amorris@5thavenue.org to reserve your spot. A family or small group is able to share one house. Price for event does not include ticket to White Christmas. Ages 4 – adult.

White Christmas has lots of fans!

We LOVE all the messages we've been getting on our Facebook Fan Page wall and through Twitter!

Here's some of the great things patrons have been saying about White Christmas:

Facebook Fans post:

"White Christmas was fantastic! Saw it this past Saturday afternoon, and it's hard to pick a favorite part. Have to say, though, that the snow at the end was such an uplifting, magical touch. Have been a Season Ticket holder since the early 1990's and after every show, I leave the theatre with my spirit renewed. Keep it up 5th Avenue!"- Wendi T

"Thoroughly charming! Loved the tap...seems (to me anyway) like you just don't see enough of it anymore these days..." -Kysha K

"I travel to Seattle from Portland for every show. White Christmas was another great one. Keep 'em coming! :D" -Brenden L

"My first visit to the 5th Ave was last Saturday to see White Christmas. Awesome! Great talent, fabulous set and all the songs I know and love. Couldn't ask for a better way to kick the holiday season into high gear. Thanks!" -Fred H

"This show was amazing...I think even better than the show [three] years ago. Absolutely amazing!" - Tom J

"Been humming the songs all day since we saw it last night... so lovely and cheerily sentimental!!! Sometimes, you just need a good tap number, followed by a ballad. Lifted my cousin's spirit right up! (It was his Christmas present!)" -Llysa H

"Loved it! I was worried I wouldn't like it because I love the movie so much - but this was a treat!" -Cathi S

"Highly recommended, it was a great show. The biggest surprise was the size of the cast. Great dance numbers too!" -Doug M

"Really enjoyed White Christmas. Ezekeal was my favorite as he reminded me of my dad, same walk!" -Wilma P

"We LOVED it! I don't think the cast could be any better! As a family, we pick one holiday show per year to go to. This was our pick this year and we were not disappointed. Thank you, 5th Avenue!" -Tina D

"Such a delightful show with a top-notch cast and fabulous choreography. Loved it! A great gift idea for those hard-to-buy-for (of all ages) on your list. Additional kudos to the excellent cast and choreography. Enchanting!" - Susan C


Twitter followers tweet:

Rode elevator w/ a family on Sun, yng girl singing White Christmas. "Matinee?" Mom nodded. They loved it. Nice job! @recruiter_MJB


Went to opening night of White Christmas last night @Backstage5thAve. Really feels like the holidays now! And the new marquee looks amazing! -@insideseattle


Saw White Christmas @Backstage5thAve last night...what a show, feels like the holidays now! -@BettyRayStewart


5th Avenue Fans - we always encourage you to write on our FACEBOOK wall or follow/tweet to us on TWITTER!

LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical - PRESALE!

Come see why Time Magazine calls

LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical

"An Elle of a show!"

Blog readers, facebook fans and twitter followers are invited to purchase pre-sale tickets TODAY, before they go on sale to the general public!

Musical comedy is now in session, and everyone’s favorite heroine is strutting her stuff, singing her heart out, and taking the world by storm – in style! Take the hilarious journey with Elle Woods, from the malls of Malibu to the halls of justice, as she proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Don’t miss your chance to see the show that conquered Broadway and became an MTV sensation!

LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical runs February 23 – March 14, 2010

Tickets onsale to general public Thursday, December 10.


To purchase pre-sale tickets before they go onsale to the public:

- Click here to purchase online

- Sign into your existing account(or create a new one if you have not purchased online before).

-On this page, enter promotion code SOCIAL to be able to purchase pre-sale tickets.

- Choose your dates and seats and proceed to checkout!


Offer is valid online only. Offer is not valid on previously purchased tickets or in conjunction with any other offers. Service fees apply. Once purchased, tickets are nonrefundable. All sales are final. All performances will be held at The 5th Avenue Theatre located at 1308 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle.

Holiday Shoppers: Tickets to White Christmas, Sing-A-Long Sound of Music, and Tony-Award winner South Pacific are all on sale now! Tickets or gift certificates to The 5th Avenue Theatre make great gifts!

South Pacific on Tour is a hit in Chicago

We wanted to share with you some of the glowing reviews from South Pacific on Tour. These most recent quotes come from the reviews in Chicago!

South Pacific tickets are on sale now and are a great gift for your family, friends or yourself!

“FOUR STARS! A transcendently restorative revival of a magnificent piece of theatrical art.”
By Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune November 25, 2009
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2009/11/south-pacific-at-rosemont-an-ocean-of-glorious-artistry.html#more

**

“Michael Yeargan's open-vista set and the large orchestra helped underscore the astonishing emotional depth of this show -- an American masterwork unafraid of dealing with the global and the individual, the political and the personal, the real.”
By Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times November 26, 2009
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weiss/1905625,CST-FTR-Pacific26web.article

**

“FOUR STARS! Describing Sher's acclaimed Broadway revival will likely exhaust my supply of superlatives, but this production deserves every one of them. It is quite simply magnificent, impressive as much for its inherent musicality and deeply felt humanity as for its grand visuals.”
By Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald November 25, 2009
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=339862

**
“Sher’s directing genius is clearly evident in the performances of his outstanding cast, but one specific directorial choice must be discussed in order to truly understand the wonder of his South Pacific. After Emile’s supposed death, Nellie becomes a caretaker to his two children, having overcome her prejudices when she realizes they pale in comparison to the love he has shown her. In the final scene, Emile reappears while Nellie shares dinner with his children, and his son and daughter rush to him as if he had just come home from a day on the fields, unaware of the moment’s gravity. Nellie does not rush to him, she does not wrap her arms around him and kiss him passionately. Rather, she is so overcome with emotion that she can think of nothing else to do but set the table for the returned patriarch, and as they all sit in silence, a family for the first time, Emile places his hand on the empty seat between his lover and he. The simple motion of Nellie putting her hand in his is done with such passion and intensity that it speaks louder than any words, and is the most subtle and absolute display of love that I have ever seen on stage.”
By Oliver Sava, Chicago Theater Blog November 25, 2009
http://chicagotheaterblog.com/2009/11/25/south-pacific/

***

FIGGY PUDDING - This Friday!

Join us in celebrating The Pike Market Senior Center and Downtown Food Bank's 23rd Annual Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition this Friday, December 4th!

The leads of White Christmas take the stage outside Westlake Center at 5:40pm for a musical montage of songs from our production! Enjoy the performance and then stick around to hear all the community caroling groups that come out to help raise money for this important Seattle organization.

This year, two staff members from The 5th Avenue Theatre are singing with their caroling team, The Carol Brunettes. Stop by and listen between 6pm and 7:15pm during the competition! For more info on The Carol Brunettes, visit their facebook event page, here.

For more info on The Figgy Pudding event and The Pike Market Senior Center & Downtown Food Bank, visit their website, here.

On Twitter - find Figgy @figgyseattle
Facebook - join their fan page here and Figgy event page here.

Get more with your ticket or ticket stub!

Many community partners of The 5th Avenue Theatre have come together to give you a little something extra this holiday season!

With your ticket or ticket stub from White Christmas, you can get discounts on dining, other holiday entertainment, shopping, salon services, yoga and more!

A few of the highlights include:

Duxiana (Rainier Square in downtown Seattle or Bellevue location) - gift your family or treat yourself to Luxurious European Linens at 20% off! Duxiana will truly have you dreaming of a White Christmas in style and comfort!

Limos by Shuttle Express - ride in style this holiday season with a 15% discount on services including town cars, limo service, limo vans, private wine tasting tours and more.

Sassoon Salon - get ready for the holidays with 20% off hair services at one of The 5th Avenue Theatre's newest neighbors.

For complete details on these offers and the 11 other partner offers, please visit our Special Events and Offers page!