US NATIONAL TOUR MAKES ITS CLEVELAND PREMIERE AT PLAYHOUSESQUARE APRIL 1 – 13, 2014

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that defined a generation, will perform at PlayhouseSquare on April 1 -13, 2014. Tickets on sale now. Ticket prices range from $10 to $75 and will be available at the PlayhouseSquare ticket office, by visiting playhousesquare.org, or by calling 216-241-6000. Group orders of 15+ may be placed by calling 216-640-8600.

With electrifying dance at its core, -THE MUSICAL tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a steel mill welder by day and a bar dancer by night with dreams of one day becoming a professional performer. When romance with her steel mill boss threatens to complicate her ambitions, Alex learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel the pursuit of her dream.

Joining Sydney Morton as Alex and Corey Mach as Nick are Alison Ewing as Tess, Ginna Claire Mason as Gloria, DeQuina Moore as Kiki, Madeleine Doherty as Hannah, David R. Gordon as Jimmy, Steve Greenstein as Harry and Christian Whelan in the role of C.C.

Also joining the company are Erika Amato, Matt Anctil, Ashley Arcement, Mackenzie Bell, Derek Carley, Ryan Carlson, Whitney Cooper, Haley Hannah, Charlene Hoffman, Jarvis McKinley, Doreen Montavlo, Austin Owen, Katelyn Prominski, Angelo Soriano, Lawrence E. Street, Kamille Upshaw and Blake Zelesnikar.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the original Paramount Pictures film was a worldwide smash hit that became a pop culture phenomenon, grossing over $150 million and featuring a Grammy Award-winning soundtrack. FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL features a score including the hit songs from the movie, all of which became Top Ten hits on the radio around the world including the Academy Award-winning title song “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” “I Love Rock & Roll.” In addition to these hits, 16 brand new songs have been written for the stage with music by Robbie Roth and lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth.

Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (, , The Addams Family), FLASHDANCE features a book by Robert Cary and Tom Hedley (co-writer of the original screenplay with Joe Eszterhas).

In addition to the US touring company, a second company will be assembled for the creatively reworked production of FLASHDANCE on Broadway for an open-ended engagement.

For more information, please visit www.flashdancethemusical.com

Or Follow us at: http://facebook.com/FlashdanceMusical http://youtube.com/FlashdanceMusical Instagram User: flashdancemusical

Tickets are on sale now for FLASHDANCE, April 1 - 13, 2014, at PlayhouseSquare’s Palace Theatre. Tickets start at just $10 at playhousesquare.org, 216-241-6000 or the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office. Groups of 15 or more call group sales at 216-640-8600. Performance times are Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL is part of the 2013-14 KeyBank Broadway Series. For more information on KeyBank, www.KeyBank.com.

This performance engagement is a part of the Smart Seats program at PlayhouseSquare that offers smart entertainment at a smart price. For more information on Smart Seats, visit playhousesquare.org/smartseats.

Editor’s Note: Contact Trish McKeon at 216-640-8658 or [email protected] for photographs and interview requests.

To enrich the experience of the theatergoers, PlayhouseSquare presents free Broadway Buzz events to complement KeyBank Broadway Series shows. Broadway Buzz Pre-Show Talks, providing behind-the-scenes insight, are held in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare one hour prior to each performance of FLASHDANCE. On Thursday evenings, guests are invited to stay in the theater for a post-show chat with members of the cast. Broadway Buzz events also are available for on-demand listening at playhousesquare.org or by subscribing to our podcast, and are made possible by the generous donors and sponsors that support PlayhouseSquare’s not-for-profit mission.

PlayhouseSquare encourages all guests to “Plan Your Visit” ahead of time by visiting playhousesquare.org and clicking the “Plan Your Visit” tab where directions, parking information, dining options, lodging, ticketing policies and other helpful information designed to enhance guest experiences at PlayhouseSquare exist. Whether their visit is the first or one hundred and first, PlayhouseSquare is committed to making guest experiences both as memorable and hassle free as possible.

PlayhouseSquare is a world-class, not-for-profit performing arts center, arts education champion and downtown developer.

Creative Bios: TOM HEDLEY (Book, original screenplay for the Flashdance movie). As editor-in-chief of Life, Tom Hedley turned it into the “magazine of the year” and published, among others, Margaret Atwood,Leonard Cohen, Robertson Davies and won national magazine award for fiction by Alice Munro. He was the youngest ever editor of Esquire Magazine during the magazine’s golden age, working for thelegendary Harold Hayes in New York. During his four-year tenure, he worked with important writersand artists of the time including , Michael Herr, , Jean Genet, William Burroughs, and Robert Coover. He produced a number of celebrated cover-sections including: “The Decline and Fall of the American Avant Garde” in which he commissioned a play by Sam Shepard that was eventually performed at Lincoln Center, Claes Oldenburg’s last happening and a photographic essay on The New Theater by . He commissioned and published essays by Fedrico Fellini, Francois Truffaut, Michelangelo Antonioni among others, and asked the great directors to direct their own self-portraits. He produced and directed four documentaries for the CBC’s flagship current affairs program and wrote a number of produced screenplays including, among others: Circle of Two, directed by Jules Dassin, starring Richard Burton and Tatum O’Neil, Mr. Patman, starring Kate Nelligan and James Colburn, Double Negative, starring Michael Sarrazin, Tony Perkins and John Candy, Fighting Back, starring Patti Lupone and Tom Skerrit and Flashdance, an international hit which won an Academy Award for best-song and has since become a film classic. He has written screenplays for Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, David Geffen, Jean-Paul Goude, Sean Penn, among others. In 2001 he completed a three-year period in London as an editor and publisher of Duckworth, the venerable publishers of Virginia Woolfe and D.H. Lawrence. His titles were generally well received and garnered both awards and books-of-the-year status in leading British journals and newspapers. He also created a new imprint called Duck Editions. Tom Hedley received the Humanitas Prize 2002 award as executive producer of the movie Iris, directed by Richard Eyre, starring Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Kate Winslet. The film won any number of international awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award. He is currently President of The Hedley Media Group LLC in . He will both write and direct The Last Laugh, an independent film centered around the 1980’s comedy scene in Los Angeles.

ROBERT CARY (Book and Lyrics) is the director of the feature films Ira and Abby, Save Me, and Anything But Love. Ira and Abby received the Audience Favorite award following its premiere at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival and was released by Magnolia Pictures in 2007; Save Me, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and was released in the US 2008. Robert is also the director and co-writer of Anything But Love, starring Andrew McCarthy, Isabel Rose and Eartha Kitt, released by Samuel Goldwyn in 2003. Anything But Love appeared in over a dozen film festivals internationally, and received numerous audience and jury awards. In addition to his film work, Robert is co-book writer with ZZ Top of the musical Sharp Dressed Man, directed by Andy Fickman and the lyricist and co-librettist of Palm Beach, produced in 2005 by the and directed by Des McAnuff, and he is also the co-author and lyricist of musical adaptations of The Thomas Crown Affair and Heartbreakers, both commissioned by MGM On Stage.

ROBBIE ROTH (Music and Lyrics). Robbie Roth's music has been heard on stage, screen, and radio all around the world. His songs have graced the Billboard charts in America, and appeared on record alongside Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, and many others. His work has been featured on “Good Morning America,” NBC's “Last Comic Standing,” and in a number of films and documentaries. Robbie is most often hired to write and produce for established and upcoming recording artists. In the theatre world, Robbie has been hired as composer on a number of new musicals, and has written and produced records for Tony Award® nominee, Gavin Creel.

SERGIO TRUJILLO (Director and Choreographer) Broadway: Choreographed the 2010 Tony Award® winning Best Musical Memphis (OCC Award, Astaire and Drama Desk Award Nominations); 2006 Tony® and Olivier Award winning Best Musical Jersey Boys (Olivier, Drama Desk, Dora, OCC Award nominations.); The Addams Family; 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning ; All Shook Up, (Astaire Award nomination) and Leap of Faith. Off Broadway: Saved (Playwrights Horizon, Lucille Lortel Nomination); The Capeman, Romeo & Juliet (Public); A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, (Encores!); Salome (NYC Opera). Regional: , Zhivago (La Jolla); Mambo Kings; The Marriage of Figaro (L.A. Opera); Chita and All That Jazz. International: Disney’s Tarzan (World Theatre Award Nomination); , The Sound of Music (Stratford); Peggy Sue Got Married (West End); Kiss Me, Kate (Japan). TV: Judging and choreographing on “So You Think You Can Dance: Canada” (CTV), “Broadway: The American Musical” (PBS), “The 14th American Comedy Awards” (ABC), “Triple Sensation” (CBC). Ovation Award for Empire: A New American Musical and four Dora Award nominations in Canada. Upcoming: Director/Choreographer: Havana; First National Tours: Memphis, Next to Normal and The Addams Family.

Cast Bios: SYDNEY MORTON (Alex Owens). Broadway: Memphis (Ensemble; OBC), Evita (u/s Mistress; OBC), Motown (Florence Ballard; OBC). Tours/Regional: Jersey Boys (Francine; Company), High School Musical (Gabriella; Paper Mill Playhouse), MUNY, PCLO. Television: “The Sound of Music” (Nun; NBC), Various Commercials. Training: The University of Michigan (BFA Musical Theatre), RADA. Thanks to BRS, everyone at Tara Rubin, the creative team, Mom, Dad, Bud, and Preston. For my dance teachers! Sydney blogs and makes online comedy sketches, all found on sydneymorton.com. Ps. 58:16.

COREY MACH (Nick Hurley). Broadway: Hands on a Hardbody, Godspell. National Tours: Wicked, Rent. Regional: Pippin (Pippin), Harold & Maude (Harold), I Love You Because (Austin), Chess (Anatoly). NYC Readings: Newsies, Circus in Winter (with Sutton Foster). Proud alum of Baldwin- Wallace. Special thanks to Sergio, Stewart Talent, Kaitlin at Tara Rubin, and (of course) the Fam. coreymach.com

GINNA CLAIRE MASON (Gloria) is so excited to be on tour with the Flashdance family! Some favorite regional credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), Grease (Sandy), and Hairspray (Shelley). Thank you to Mom & Daddy Claire, Brudder, Bubby, Benny Boo Boo (her 3 wonderful brothers!), and her handsome, supportive husband, Eric. She sends her love to Tres Amigas, Buddy, Tootie, and DGRW. 1 John 4: 9-12. BFA Elon University.

DEQUINA MOORE (Kiki) Broadway: Legally Blonde (Pilar), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Ens., u/s Sylvia), Happy Days (Joyce/Lola), Hair (Actor’s Fund Concert). Film: “Joyful Noise” (Devonne), “Madea’s Big Happy Family” (Singer), “Ghost Town” (Chontelle), “Rachel Getting Married” (Rachel’s stylist), “Camp” (D.Q.). TV: “Law & Order: SVU” (Sapphire), “Racing For Time” (Tonya), “Third Watch” (Tania Monroe: recurring), “All Falls Down” (Nycole). B.F.A. NYU/CAP21. Thanks be to God! Love to Mom, Dad, Eron, family/friends, KMG/BridgeDaGap, Sarah Ministries & my Flashdance fam!

ALISON EWING (Tess). Alison is so happy to be on the road again with this talented cast and crew. Alison was seen on Broadway in Cabaret (Lulu) at Studio 54 as well as the 1st National Tour and the Folies Bergere in , directed by Sam Mendes. She most recently finished two years in the North American tour of Mamma Mia! (Tanya). Her other favorites include Putnam County Spelling Bee at San Jose Rep (Rona Lisa), Big River, Emma, Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues, Into The Woods and Harold & Maude at TheatreWorks, Sweet Charity at CenterRep (Nickie), Jacques Brel at Marin Theatre Company (Woman 1), Irma La Douce at 42nd Street Moon (Irma), and The Last 5 Years at Playhouse West. Alison is also a voiceover artist and can be heard on video games like “The Godfather” on XBox, “Tales From Monkey Island” with LucasArts, and radio ads such as Macy’s, Mechanics Bank and Grand Mariner.

MADELEINE DOHERTY (Hannah). Broadway/Off Broadway: Sister Act org. cast (Mary Theresa), The Producers org. cast (Hold-Me-Touch-Me), Romance, Romance: orig. cast (u/s), Les Miserables: (Mme. Thenardier), A Christmas Carol: org. cast (Char Woman) National Tours: Pirates of Penzance, 101 Dalmatians, 9 to 5 Regional: Hollywood Bowl: The Producers: (HMTM), North Shore: Bye Bye Birdie: (Mrs. Macafee), Fiddler: (Yente). Goodspeed: Emmet Otter’s... (Mrs. Mink) Something’s Afoot (u/s Tweed/Manley-Prowe) PCLO: Hairpspray Sacramento: La Mancha: Housekeeper

DAVID GORDON (Jimmy), is beyond excited to be a part of his 1st National Tour and the 1st touring company of this iconic show! Favorite roles include: Roger (Int’l Tour of Grease), Abraham (Altar Boyz), and Bobby Strong (Urinetown). Special thanks to The Roster, Sergio and the entire creative team, Tara Rubin and this awesome cast! This one’s for my support team Ali, Momma, my bog ol’ family and friends. We did it!! www.DavidRossGordon.com

STEVE GREENSTEIN (Harry) West Side Story (Officer Krupke) West End London, Guys and Dolls (Big Jule), Buddy Holly Story (High Pockets) Big River (Pap Finn) Film: “Future Folk,” “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “The Warrior and the Savior,” “Chain of Command,” “Mindbender,” “The Bear” Television- HBO: “People in New Jersey,” “Elementary,” “Blue Bloods,” “Law and Order SVU,” “Seinfeld,” “Growing Pains” Off Broadway- Another Man's Poison, No Place to Be Somebody. www.stevegreensteinactor.com

CHRISTIAN WHELAN (C.C.). Broadway Tours: Mamma Mia! (Sam), Little House on the Prairie (Brewster), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Lawrence), Aida (Zoser), Ragtime (Conklin), Camelot (Arthur). Off-B’way/Regional: Ministry of Progress (Poole), Portofino [Cast CD], Little Mermaid (Triton), 110 in the Shade (Starbuck). TV/Film: General Hospital, Guiding Light, All My Children, Dellaventura, Skindeep, Outlaws, Angel Town, Tomcats, Celebrity.”www.christianwheelan.com

ERIKA AMATO (Miss Wilde; Ensemble; u/s Hannah; u/s Louise). Off-Broadway: Signs Of Life (Berta); The Sphinx Winx (Cleopatra). Regional: Hairspray (Velma); Cinderella (Fairy Godmother); White Christmas (Betty); Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Bad Fairy - LA Ovation Nomination); Anything Goes (Reno - ITL Awards Nomination); Nine (Luisa - OC Register Best Actress). For full bio, please visit www.erikaamato.com

MATT ANCTIL: (Dance Captain/Swing) Bway/Tours: La Cage Aux Folles (Angelique/Asst. Dance Captain), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (National/Arena), Broadway Bares 18-23. The Doors Project (APAP). Training: Boston Youth Moves, The Ailey School, Jacob’s Pillow. Much love to mom and all those who support me. Keep the passion alive!! :)

ASHLEY ARCEMENT(Swing; Ensemble; u/s Tess; u/s Gloria; u/s Miss Wilde) Broadway: Grease. National Tours: Anything Goes, Pippin, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Regional: A Chorus Line at Paper Mill, Berkshire Theatre Festival (Val); Goodspeed, TUTS, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Film: “My Man is a Loser.” Thanks to Sergio, Kaitlin/Tara Rubin, Nicolosi, and my supportive family and amazing friends! Proud Florida State grad. @ashleyarcement

MACKENZIE BELL (Swing; u/s Kiki; u/s Louise; u/s Miss Wilde). Theatre Credits: Jersey Boys (Lorraine/Des McAnuff) 1st National Tour, Las Vegas Co., Chicago Co.; Carrie - The Musical (Stafford Arima) MCC, Fat Camp (Casey Hushion) Dodger Theatricals, Diner -The Musical – /Workshop. Regional Credits: Cap21 Theatre Co., Merry-Go- Round Playhouse, The Surflight Theatre. BFA-Music Theatre - Elon University. www.mackenziebell.com

DEREK CARLY (Swing, u/s Nick, u/s Jimmy, u/s C.C., u/s Joe, u/s Andy), is so happy to be a part of this production! Regional credits include Titanic (Charles Clarke) at the MUNY and Gay Bride of Frankenstein (Thad) at Seacoast Rep. Proud graduate of the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre Program; Go Blue! Huge thanks to everyone at Harden- Curtis and Tara Rubin Casting. For Jenna.

RYAN CARLSON (Ensemble) Douglas Anderson School of The Arts, Rasta Thomas's "Bad Boys of Dance", Lightwire Theatre, Americas Got Talent, Jacobs pillow, BET’s "Best Dance Crew.

WHITNEY COOPER (Ensemble) is overjoyed to be a part of Flashdance! National Tours: Memphis, The Music Man (Zaneeta). Regional: Music Theatre of Wichita and Surflight Theatre. Training: Oklahoma City University. Enormous thanks to Tara Rubin, Sergio, and the MSA team! Endless love to the fam, the friends, and the Father above.

HALEY HANNAH (Ensemble; u/s Alex; u/s Tess; u/s Gloria) is thrilled to join the National Tour of Flashdance! Broadway: Bring It On The Musical. Tours: Bring It On The Musical. Regional: Cutman - A Boxing Musical (Goodspeed). TV: “Good Morning America” (Back up singer for Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers), “American Comedy Awards” (Comedy Central). BFA: University of Michigan. Much love to Mom, Dad, and friends.

CHARLENE HOFFMAN (Ensemble; u/s Ballet Dancer, Assistant Dance Captain) has performed in numerous stage shows including the 50th Anniversary International Tour of West Side Story (Marguerita). Along with appearances on “Glee” (Cheerio), she has recently shared the stage with Kanye West, Chris Brown and P!nk. When she isn’t cutting a rug you can find this self-proclaimed tomboy cheering on her favorite NFL teams or cruising in her 1970 Ford Mustang.

JARVIS McKINLEY (Ensemble; u/s Ballet Dancer). Tours: Usher, KiCi & JoJo, Ailey II, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Armitage Gone Dance!. He was also rewarded the Margret Foretyn Award Also recently seen on the First National Tour of Memphis the Musical. Thank God and my family and friends who supported me on my way to my biggest dream.

DOREEN MONTALVO (Louise; Ensemble; u/s Hannah). Broadway: In The Heights (Original Bway Cast) 2007 Drama Desk Award. Off Bway/Regional: Giant, The Piper, La Lupe, Senor Discretion and more. TV: “Smash”, “Law and Order”, “The Good Wife”, “One Life to Live”, “All My Children” and more. Doreen thanks her guardian angels, The Roster, her family, & Michael. www. doreenmontalvo.com. Paciencia Y Fe!

AUSTIN OWEN (Andy;, Ensemble; u/s Nick; u/s Jimmy; u/s Harry). Tours: Memphis (u/s Huey); The Producers (Leo Bloom). Regional: The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert); La Cage (Jean-Michel); Footloose (Chuck); Godspell (Judas). FSU Grad. Thanks to Sergio, Tara Rubin, Renee and the gang, and my incredibly supportive family and friends. Love to C. IG: austinowen

KATELYN PROMINSKI (Ballet Dancer; Ensemble) is beyond excited to join Flashdance! Originally from Washington, DC, Katelyn trained at Washington Ballet & San Francisco Ballet. Danced with Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Love and thanks to mom & family, MBaud, Marianne Wells, & TRC! Follow the journey: @KEP1228

ANGELO SORIANO (Ensemble; u/s Joe; u/s Andy; u/s Break Dancer) is a native of the Philippine Islands. Recent credits include The Red Car News Boys (Disneyland AGVA), A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas (Walt Disney World AEA), Disney Junior: Live on Stage (Casey). Performed with Justin Bieber, Debby Ryan, Disney's Shake It Up, Macy Gray, MC Lyte. HUGE thanks to my "Pamilya", music mentors, dance teachers, Flashdance creatives and DDO NY.

LAWRENCE E. STREET (Joe; u/s Harry; u/s C.C.). Broadway: Urinetown (Billy Boy Bill). Off-Broadway: Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe (Cleante); Urinetown (Billy Boy Bill). Actor’s Fund of America: Chess in Concert (Ensemble). Carnegie Hall, NYC: South Pacific in Concert (Starring Reba McEntire) also filmed for PBS Great Performances. Member of Actor’s Equity Association. Special thanks to Avalon Artists and Tara Rubin.

KAMILLE UPSHAW (Ensemble) Born in Washington, DC, Kamille is a graduate of The Juilliard school. She has worked with Darrell Grand Moultrie, the Metropolitan Opera, Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance 2011-2012 European Tour, danced for Alicia Keys and now is very excited to join Flashdance! Love to my family!

BLAKE ZELESNIKAR (Ballet Dancer; Ensemble). Born in Binghamton, NY Blake is thrilled to be part of Flashdance The Musical. He recently finished touring Europe with Rasta Thomas’s Bad Boys of Dance hit show, Rock the Ballet (Ensemble). Before that he was performing with Phoenix Project Dance Company. Blake also successfully made the Top 30 for Season 9 of “So you Think You Can Dance.”

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