March 6, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2013
For more information,
Amanda Shell
Moxley Carmichael
865-255-0661
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Broadway hit ‘Mary Poppins’ soars into Knoxville for eight-show run
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett (left) and Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Tom Cervone (right) present Liana Gibson, a teacher at New Hopewell Elementary, with a certificate naming her the one millionth guest to the theatre since its 2005 restoration. Mayor Burchett presented the theatre with a proclamation at the opening night of “Mary Poppins” on March 5 in honor of the milestone.
The Tennessee Theatre marked its one millionth patron to the historic theatre since the building’s complete restoration in 2005 at the opening night of the Broadway musical “Mary Poppins” on March 5.
The one-millionth ticketholder was Liana Gibson, a teacher at New Hopewell Elementary in South Knoxville. She and her guests were treated to upgraded premium tickets and special VIP treatment, as well as a certificate and recognition on the famous Tennessee Theatre marquee. She also received an exclusive meet-and-greet with the actors who play Mary Poppins and Bert and a prize pack with “Mary Poppins” merchandise.
At a pre-show ceremony in the lobby, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett presented the theatre with a proclamation in honor of its 85th anniversary and one millionth ticket, naming March 5 as “Mary Poppins Day.”
Last night, the Tennessee Theatre continued its 2012-2013 Broadway at the Tennessee season by kicking off the five-day, eight-show run of the Broadway hit, “Mary Poppins,” March 5-10.
“We are thrilled to bring the beloved Disney classic ‘Mary Poppins’ to the Tennessee Theatre stage,” said Tom Cervone, executive director of the Tennessee Theatre. “This year, the Tennessee Theatre celebrates its 85th anniversary of providing diverse, quality entertainment to the region, and at the opening night we are thrilled to announce one lucky ticketholder as the one millionth guest to come through our doors. This is a very special night for the official state theatre of Tennessee!”
In “Mary Poppins,” theatergoers can expect high-level production value, Broadway talent and impressive scenography. The Tennessee Theatre’s technical director was challenged to fit an enormous set onto the Tennessee Theatre stage, as well as the complicated rigging involved with this “high-flying” musical into a historic theatre. Fans of the “Mary Poppins” musical will be on the lookout for the famous scenes of Bert dancing on the ceiling and Mary flying in with her black umbrella. They will not be disappointed.
“Thanks to the community’s support and significant stage expansions and improvements in 2005, we are able to host large-scale musicals like ‘Mary Poppins’ with dramatic special effects,” said Cervone. “The Tennessee Theatre is your theatre, and with your support, we will continue to raise the bar and lead the way for great entertainment, arts and culture in downtown Knoxville.”
With seven productions produced on three continents, “Mary Poppins” is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years. Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $812 million and welcomed more than 11 million guests. The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony®, Olivier, Helpmann and Evening Standard awards.
The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world’s most famous nanny to audiences around North America. The “Mary Poppins” North American Tour began performances on March 25, 2009 and has played to more than two and a half million delighted theatergoers in over 60 cities to date.
“Mary Poppins”, a co-production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006. Based on P.L. Travers’ cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, “Mary Poppins” the stage play features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.
Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. “Mary Poppins” features set and costume design by Tony® Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick. The tour’s creative team includes Tour Director Anthony Lyn, Associate Choreographer Geoffrey Garrett, and Music Director Daniel Bowling.
Ticket prices start as low as $37. Tickets are available at the Tennessee Theatre Box Office, all Knoxville Tickets outlets, and online at www.tennesseetheatre.com. To charge tickets, call 865-656-4444. Orders for groups of 20 or more may be placed by calling Susan Rodenbeck at 865-684-1143 or emailing [email protected].
About the Tennessee Theatre
Located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928 as a movie palace. The Tennessee Theatre is the Official State Theatre of Tennessee and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Tennessee Theatre is the region’s leading performing arts center with advanced technology, staging and lighting that draws top entertainment to the Knoxville area.
In 2013, the Tennessee Theatre celebrates its 85th anniversary by launching a Sustainability Campaign with the goal of raising $4 million dollars towards preserving and maintaining the theatre without additional annual fundraising.
