October 24, 2007                                                                                                                                               Associate Director of Marketing

                                                                                                                                                                               Phone: 253.573.2360

                                                                                                                                                                               Email: laceyl@broadwaycenter.org

Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Offers

Pierce County Resident Rush Ticket Program 

Tacoma , WA - In honor of the many years of continuous funding by the Pierce County Government, Broadway Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to offer a Pierce County Resident Rush Ticket Program. Through this program, residents of Pierce County may purchase $15 tickets to specially selected performances: Striking 12, The Wonder Bread Years, Dying to Be Thin, Glenis Redmond and David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries and Other Stories. This discount opportunity rewards the community with high quality theater for a reduced price, encourages residents to partake in Downtown activities and discover exciting events in the heart of Tacoma.

Striking 12 is a unique hybrid of musical theater and live concert performed by celebrated pop-rock trio GrooveLily. Striking 12 tells the story of a grumpy, overworked New Yorker who resolves to spend New Year's Eve alone in his apartment when an unexpected visitor brings some much needed cheer. With an innovative creative team that includes Tony Award winners Rachel Sheinkin ( 25 th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee ) and Ted Sperling ( The Full Monty ) Striking 12 is a refreshingly alternative musical. 

Pat Hazell's The Wonder Bread Years is a fresh and funny slice of Americana that celebrates the baby boomer generation. Named by Showtime Network as one of the five funniest people in America and one of the original writers of Seinfeld , Pat Hazell shares embarrassing memories and reminisces about favorite childhood toys in this comic anthem.  Hazell is sure to have the audience laughing out loud with these genuinely funny and real observations of the past - from Jiffy Pop popcorn to Kool-Aid stands and much more, looking back has never been funnier.

Dying to Be Thin is a powerful performance for teenagers and families that examines the far reaching effects of an eating disorder on a young woman and the people who love her. Dying to Be Thin exposes how anorexia poisons her life, and how it dictates her thoughts and feelings everyday. This profound look inside issues of body image and peer pressure, provides a unique and important tool that can empower dialogues to help both in recovery and prevention of this common problem.

Glenis Redmond is one of the premier poets and spoken word artists in America . Drawing from her life experiences, family, and her southern roots, Glenis' poetry connects with audiences. The themes are intensely personal, yet at the same time universal and carry a deep resonance with the human condition. Her poetry floats, glides and pounds across the stage; her voice rings out, then becomes soft, drawing the audience in. Glenis brings a poetical magic to the stage that captivates audiences everywhere.

Santaland Diaries is the outrageous comedy from the irreverent mind of David Sedaris and is produced by the Broadway Center . Based on his outlandish, but shockingly true, experiences working as Crumpet the Elf in Santaland (also known as Macy's Santa display in New York City), you'll laugh yourself silly listening to Crumpet's inside story of what goes on behind the scenes at Santa's workshop! This sardonic and merrily subversive tale has become an 'anti-holiday' cult classic. For mature elves only, as the show contains some adult language .

To participate in the Pierce County Rush Ticket Program, Pierce County locals should mention the discount in advance of purchasing tickets to any of the five aforementioned performances. Patrons will be asked to present a Pierce County ID when picking tickets up at will call.  In order to have tickets mailed, the Pierce County resident must have a Pierce County mailing address.

Tickets are only $15 (to select performances) with proof of Pierce County residency. Tickets may be purchased at the Broadway Center Box Office located on 9th & Broadway or by calling the Box Office at 253.591.5894. For more information about upcoming events at the Broadway Center , visit www.broadwaycenter.org .

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the following for support of the 2007-2008 Season: ArtsFund, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Boeing Company, City of Tacoma , Forest Foundation, The News Tribune, Pierce County Arts Commission, Sequoia Foundation Pierce County Program, and Washington State Arts Commission.

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