The League of American Theatres & Producers Announces
LADIES NIGHT OUT ON BROADWAY
A New Initiative To Celebrate Broadway's Most Loyal Demographic
Event Will Raise Awareness for The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative
of The Actors Fund
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
(Tickets on sale now at www.LadiesNightOutOnBroadway.com)
(New York, NY, September 24, 2007) The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. announces a new initiative -- LADIES NIGHT OUT ON BROADWAY -- a special evening on Broadway created for Broadway's most loyal group of theatre-goers. In association with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ladies Night Out on Broadway will take place on October 24, 2007. Tickets on sale now at www.LadiesNightOutOnBroadway.com.
Similar to other successful League audience development programs (including Kids' Night on Broadway and Singles Night on Broadway), the first-ever Ladies Night Out on Broadway, created only for women, includes special show discounts and an important charitable tie-in with the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors Fund, a program created to address the myriad of concerns women face when dealing with a serious medical condition. A special free party with food and drinks at Spotlight Live from 5-7:30 PM will host a variety of activities including Women-in-Theatre panels and Broadway karaoke.
"Women represent 63% of Broadway audiences and 66% of ticket purchasing decisions so LADIES NIGHT is our way of saying thank you. And we hope that the activities provided free this evening will remind our most loyal members about the variety of Broadway offerings and will give this very engaged demographic yet another reason to join us for an additional night on Broadway full of fun and entertainment," commented Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director, League of American Theatres and Producers. "Women are also the primary decision makers when it comes to purchasing theatre tickets and planning a night out on the town, and we are delighted to host for them what we hope will become an annual event that educates them, pampers them, rewards them and just reminds them about how much we appreciate their loyalty to Broadway!"
Serving as LADIES NIGHT Spokespeople are Jackie Hoffman and Mary Testa, currently starring in XANADU at the Helen Hayes Theater. Commented Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Testa: “We’re honored to be the spokesgals for Ladies Night Out on Broadway because not only do we get to help raise money for women’s health, we get to introduce new audience members to the exciting world of live theatre.” Over the next month, Jackie and Mary can be seen on WNBC Public Service Announcements promoting Ladies Night Out on Broadway.
Participating Shows
Twelve Broadway shows are participating in Ladies Night Out including, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, Curtains, Hairspray, Legally Blonde the Musical, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Phantom of the Opera, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Xanadu. Two Off Broadway shows are participating: including The Fantasticks and Stomp.
(*show participation subject to change)
Spotlight Live Party
With the purchase of a Ladies Night theatre ticket to any of the participating Broadway or Off Broadway shows, ladies are invited to attend a free theatre themed party at Spotlight Live, the only restaurant where you walk in for dinner but walk out a star.
Participating shows will host post-show talk backs that correspond with online show discussion guides made available on the event website. These online discussion guides for women interested in creating “theatre clubs,” provides the opportunity to form meaningful connections with like-minded women. In addition, Times Square area restaurants will feature special offers, plus parking discounts. Please visit broadway.ivillage.com to chat with other Broadway theatre fans and enter a Broadway sweepstakes.
To purchase tickets, get more information on the FREE ladies only party at Spotlight LIVE and special Ladies Night post-theatre offers at Times Square area bars and restaurants, log on to www.LadiesNightOutOnBroadway.com or call the Broadway Line (1-888-Broadway). Tickets can also be purchased at the individual theatre box offices or at the Broadway Ticket Center™ -- a centralized ticket outlet in the heart of New York’s Theatre District offering full-priced tickets for same-day and advance performances to Broadway and many Off Broadway shows. When ordering tickets, please use the Ladies Night promotional code: WMN07.
Ladies Night Out on Broadway is sponsored by Spotlight Live, The New York Times, Budweiser Select and shuzsociety.com, an online magazine and networking site for shoe lovers. As a part of the raffle, shuzsociety.com will raffle one of a kind Broadway Boots decorated by a representative from each participating show. All proceeds will be donated to the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative of The Actor’s Fund. Media partners are WNBC 4, ivillage.com, and 106.7 LITE-FM.
JACKIE HOFFMAN (Calliope, Aphrodite). Solo: Jackie With a Z, Chanukah at Joe’s Pub (Bistro Award), The Kvetching Continues (Time Out NY’s Outstanding Achievement Award). Broadway: Xanadu, Hairspray (Theatre World Award). Off-Broadway: Regrets Only, Tribeca Theatre Festival, Book of Liz (Obie Award), Straightjacket, Incident at Cobbler’s Knob, One Woman Shoe. Regional: Second City, Chicago (Jeff Award); Sisters Rosensweig (Old Globe). Film: A Dirty Shame, Garden State, Legally Blonde II, Kissing Jessica Stein, Mo’ Money. TV: “Starved,” “Hope and Faith,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Strangers With Candy,” “TV Funhouse,” “Conan,” “Soul Man,” “Cosby.” Animation: “Dilbert,” “PB&J Otter,” Robots
and Queer Duck (the movie).
MARY TESTA (Melpomene, Medusa). Broadway: Xanadu, Chicago, 42nd Street (Tony nom./cast album), Marie Christine (cast album), On the Town (Tony nom.), …Forum (cast album), The Rink, Marilyn, Barnum. Off-Broadway: Regrets Only, See What I Wanna See (Drama Desk and Drama League noms./cast album), First Lady Suite (Drama Desk nom.), String of Pearls (Drama Desk nom.), The Vagina Monologues, From Above (Obie) and others. Film: Stay, Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding, Sleepers and others. TV:
“Whoopi,” “Sex and the City” and others.
About the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative
The Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative was created by The Actors Fund to address the myriad of concerns women face when dealing with a serious medical condition. When women come to The Fund after a serious medical diagnosis they are often overwhelmed with concerns about their ability to work, family issues, managing basic bills as well as medical bills, and coping both physically and mentally with a challenging medical situation.
The PNWHI Social Workers help women negotiate the steps that follow a serious medical diagnosis. Through intensive case management, access to individual counseling, support groups, educational seminars, linkage to community supports and short-term financial assistance, the social workers help women receive the nurturing support that they need.
Each year, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative (PNWHI) helps hundreds of women in health crisis – many whose treatment is compromised by lack of health insurance. PNWHI provides women in the entertainment profession with access to health care, diagnostic, preventative, and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and meaningful assistance when they are confronted with traumatic illness, injury or a violent situation. The goal of PNWHI is to provide women in the entertainment community with the resources and support they need to attain optimum health and independence.
About The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc.
The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., created in 1930 is the official trade association for the commercial theatre industry. The League’s 600-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general throughout North America, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to almost 30 million people in New York and across the US and Canada.
The League also sponsors three annual free outdoor concerts: Broadway on Broadway® (with the Times Square Alliance) which attracts upwards of 50,000 theatre fans to Times Square each fall to kick off the new theatrical season; Continental Airlines presents Broadway’s Stars in the Alley®, a celebration in the Theatre District’s historic Shubert Alley marking the official end of the season; and Broadway Under the Stars™ (with NYC & Company) on the Great Lawn of Central Park, which inaugurates New York City’s summer outdoor concert series.
The League maintains and operates programs designed to provide consumers with information about Broadway and a convenient means of accessing tickets. ILoveNYTheater.com is the first-ever multilingual website offering a comprehensive guide to Broadway theatregoing in New York. The site, which is available in six languages, offers tickets to Broadway shows as well as information about hotels, restaurants, transportation, and shopping.
About The Actors Fund
The Actors Fund, currently celebrating its 125th Anniversary, is a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals - both performers and those behind the scenes - in performing arts and entertainment. Founded in 1882, The Fund serves those in film, theatre, television, music, opera, and dance with a broad spectrum of programs including comprehensive social services, health services, supportive and affordable housing, emergency financial assistance, employment and training services, and skilled nursing and assisted living care. Administered from offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, The Actors Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis, or transition. Please visit The Actors Fund website at www.actorsfund.org.
About Spotlight Live
Walk in for Dinner and Walk out a Star at Spotlight Live, an interactive Dining, Special Event and Live Performance Venue Located in the Heart of Times Square. Featuring the Inventive, American Comfort Cuisine of Celebrity Chef Kerry Simon and paired with an engaging dose of Karaoke, where you join our professional singers and dancers on stage for and evening of fun and live entertainment. Spotlight Live is located at 1604 Broadway, Between 48th and 49th Streets. Visit www.spotlightlive.com for more information.
