5th Avenue Theatre Takes Audiences Behind the Scenes of White Christmas and Joseph...Dreamcoat with Spotlight Nights

The 5th Avenue's enormously popular Spotlight Night series, a free event that's recently begun to attract record crowds, continues this Sunday with a special three-part program, featuring: profiles of two 20th century composer superstars; live appearances from the stars of Joseph and White Christmas and a roundtable discussion with five of the Theatre's most critically-lauded directors about the talent, planning and temperament it takes to guide a professional musical from first reading to opening night.

Hosted by The 5th's Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, the program begins with a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, the national labor union of professional directors and choreographers, with a panel discussion that includes several of The 5th's leading musical stagers including Bill Berry (West Side Story), Jayme McDaniel (Joseph...), David Bennett (Miss Saigon) and Allison Narver (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). The group will share anecdotes and experiences about what it takes to shepherd a musical production to the stage of The 5th Avenue.

Then in the second portion of the event we highlight the three stars of Joseph, American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov, Seattle favorite Jennifer Paz and the lead singer of The Dusty 45s and star of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Billy Joe Huels. This trio of singer/performers have had wildly diverse careers on TV, national tours, and live concert venues, and now all three get a chance to share a stage for the first time ever in our upcoming production of this early Webber megahit.

Finally we look at two of the most successful and prolific composers of the musical theater stage, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Irving Berlin. Both men redefined the role of the songwriter in the 20th century, combining a talent for popular music with a shrewd understanding of the business portion of show business. Cast members from both Joseph and White Christmas will be on hand to compare and contrast the work of these two legendary artists.

As a bonus, this special edition of Spotlight Night is prefaced by The 5th's first-ever Subscriber Appreciation Day, where we'll offer Theatre tours, information booths, and up-close meetings with actors and staff from the Theatre to our subscribers. The first 100 subscribers through the door will receive a special Goodies Bag filled with discounts and surprises as thanks for their continued support of The 5th.

Spotlight Night begins at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday September 20, with the Subscriber Appreciation event beginning at 1:00 p.m. The event is free, but attendees must reserve their tickets. They can do so over the phone by calling 206-625-1900/toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at www.5thavenue.org.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.