CULTURAL EDUCATION ENTERTAINMENT ENRICHMENT Oconomowoc Area School District FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael Duncan Title: Arts Center Director Address: 641 East Forest Street Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Phone: 262.560.213 [email protected] Website: www.theoac.net August 20, 2015 Tony Award‐nominated singer and actor, Tom Wopat hits the OAC stage swingin’ “Tom Wopat, like Sinatra in his glory days, makes it all look easy and perfectly natural.” ‐ Stephen Holden, NY Times Oconomowoc, Wisconsin ‐ The Oconomowoc Arts Center’s Main Stage Series kicks off Saturday, September 19, 2015 with well‐known Broadway stage and screen actor, Tom Wopat singing jazz‐ inspired renditions of contemporary classics from his CD, I’ve Got Your Number. “The OAC is proud to open our seventh presenting season with Wisconsin native, Tom Wopat. Most folks remember him from the television series but he has had an amazing Broadway career too. People will love that singing voice,” said Oconomowoc Arts Center director, Michael Duncan. People have fond memories of Wopat in his role as Luke Duke in the immensely popular, action‐ packed television series The Dukes of Hazzard. During the show's run from 1978‐85, Wopat also kick‐ started his recording career with his first country album release in 1983. He went on to record six other country albums before finally releasing a 2000 album of standard love songs. Wopat was nominated for Broadway's Tony Awards for the 1999 revival of the musical, Annie Get Your Gun and Catered Affair in 2008, as well as Chicago, Forty‐Second St., Sondheim on Sondheim and more. Born in Lodi, Wisconsin, Wopat first started singing and dancing in high school musicals and studied music at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison before getting his “big break” in 1978 as Luke Duke. “I am the fifth son of eight kids of a Wisconsin dairy farmer. I was really lucky to have so many opportunities,” said Wopat. Page 2. I’ve Got Your Number Tom Wopat’s knack for finding the heart of a song’s story, coupled with his warm, engaging baritone promises to captivate any audience. The swinging, jazz‐infused rhythms from his CD, I’ve Got Your Number are backed by his band including piano, guitar, bass and drums. The performance will feature Great American Songbook classics such as The Good Life, The Folks Who Live On The Hill, Call Me, Born To Be Blue, I Won’t Dance, I’ve Got Your Number and more. “We’ve evoked the spirit of the New York supper club era and the cool vibe of the Mad Men days. We’re bringing the best musicians in from New York City and the music swings hard. It’s going to be a really fun night,” added Wopat. For more information about Tom Wopat, visit www.tomwopat.com. Tommy Awards Named in honor of critically acclaimed and Tony Award‐nominated singer and actor, Tom Wopat, Wisconsin Tommy Awards encourage, recognize and honor excellence in high school musical theater. Educators, industry professionals and theater experts review productions at more than 80 high schools, provide valuable feedback and advice, and honor schools and individuals’ achievements with category‐based awards. Schools and individuals receive awards at a ceremony held at Madison’s Overture Center in June. Oconomowoc High School, among several schools in the Lake Country area, has participated in the program since its beginning in 2009 and has earned 81 Tommy’s including several Outstanding Musical awards. “I’m flattered I can be involved with the Tommy Awards. I fell in love with music and the theatre when I was in public middle school. It’s important for kids who are interested in the arts to meet people who will support and mentor them. I was really lucky because I had a number of people who had my back and kept me going,” said Wopat. This year’s OHS production of Singin' in the Rain earned 16 Tommy awards, including wins for Outstanding Musical, three Outstanding Lead Performers and a Spirit Award. This marks the fifth time in six years that OHS has been awarded for Outstanding Musical. OHS theatre director, Tom Klubertanz and long‐time OHS Players choreographer, Karl Miller have also been inducted into the Tommy Hall of Fame. Page 3. “The Tommy Awards program has been a real godsend for high school theater programs across our state. It legitimizes the countless hours of work we do in the private darkness of the theatre, by giving it a public face and that has been such a thrill” said Klubertanz. For more information about the Tommy Awards, visit www.overturecenter.org/programs/tommy‐ awards. Tickets Reserved seating tickets are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors (60 +) and college students and $16 for high school students and younger. Service fees apply to online, telephone orders, and day of show walk‐ ups. The Oconomowoc Arts Center is located at 641 East Forest Street in Oconomowoc and is part of the Oconomowoc Area School District. The box office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. In addition, the box office is open 90 minutes prior to an event. You can reach the box office by calling 262‐560‐3172. Please visit the OAC website at www.theoac.net for more information. Find the arts center on Facebook, Twitter and Trip Advisor. Event Information/Ticketing “At A Glance” “Tom Wopat ‐ I’ve Got Your Number” When: Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. Where: The Oconomowoc Arts Center, 641 E. Forest Street, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066 Box Office: 262‐560‐3172 or on line at www.theoac.net , 24/7 Ticket Prices: $39 adults, $35 seniors (60 +) and college students, $16 high school students and younger. Service fees are included on phone, Internet and day of show purchases. ### .