US National Tour Makes its Milwaukee Premiere at the Marcus Center on March 4-9

FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL, the stage adaptation of the 1983 hit film that defined a generation, will perform at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on March 4-9. Tickets will go on sale this Sunday, December 8 at 12:00 pm. Ticket prices range from $30 to $85 and will be available at the Marcus Center box office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, all Ticketmaster outlets, by visiting MarcusCenter.org or by calling 414-273-7206. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 414-273-7121 ext. 210 or 213. This engagement is part of the BMO Harris Bank Broadway at the Marcus Center and Broadway Across America-Milwaukee series.

With electrifying dance at its core, FLASHDANCE-THE MUSICAL tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh 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 Jillian Mueller as Alex and Corey Mach as Nick are Alison Ewing as Tess, Ginna Claire Mason as Gloria, DeQuina Moore as Kiki, Jo Ann Cunningham as Hannah, David R. Gordon as Jimmy, Matthew Henerson as Harry and Christian Whelan in the role of C.C.

Also joining the company are Erika Amato, Mackenzie Bell, Carleigh Bettiol, Derek Carley, Ryan Carlson, Lynorris Evans, Haley Hannah, Charlene Hoffman, Jarvis McKinley, Doreen Montavlo, Austin Owen, Prominski, Angelo Soriano, Dani Spieler, 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 (Jersey Boys, Memphis, 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. Flashdance – The Musical will play March 4 through 9 at the Marcus Center. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday through Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm with matinees Saturday at 2:00 pm and Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Creative Bios:

TOM HEDLEY (Book, original screenplay for the Flashdance movie). As editor-in-chief of Toronto 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 the legendary Harold Hayes in New York. During his four-year tenure, he worked with important writers and artists of the time including Tom Wolfe, Michael Herr, Diane Arbus, Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Gay Talese 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 Andy Warhol. 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 New York City. 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 Goldwynin 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 La Jolla Playhouse and directed by Des McAnuff, and he is alsothe 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 Next to Normal; All Shook Up, Guys and Dolls (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, Kismet (Encores!); Salome (NYC Opera). Regional: The Wiz, 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); West Side Story, 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.

JILLIAN MUELLER (Alex Owens). What a dream come true this is! Last seen in the first national tours of Memphis and American Idiot. Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie, two holiday seasons of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. TV: “A Gifted Man” (CBS). Much gratitude to Sergio, Kaitlin and the whole Flashdance team for trusting and believing in me! Love to Erin and everyone at CESD, Liz and Aimee for being the best. And of course my wonderful, supportive parents and brother. Twitter: @ jillimueller

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 Paris, 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.

JO ANN CUNNINGHAM (Hannah). Broadway: The King and I, Anna Karenina. Off-Broadway: The Show Goes On, Night Seasons, Ladies of the Corridor, Edward the King, Swan Song. Tours: Into the Woods, Meet Me in St. Louis, Carousel, A Little Night Music. Regional: Full Gallop, The Dining Room, Follies, Chemin De Fer, Hello Dolly, Kismet, How the Other Half Loves and lots more.

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

MATTHEW HENERSON (Harry). Theatre: Ahmanson, Romeo and Juliet; ACT, Indian Ink; La Jolla Playhouse, Good Person of Szechwan; Marin Shakespeare, King Lear (Fool), Northern Stage, Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), San Diego Repertory, Romance, Brooklyn Boy; South Coast Repertory, Hamlet; Utah Shakespeare, Fiddler on the Roof (Teyve); Film/Television: Hung, Bernie Mac Show, Christmas Carol, Mars Needs Moms.

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.christianwhelan.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

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 – Kathleen Marshall/Workshop. Regional Credits: Cap21 Theatre Co., Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, The Surflight Theatre. BFA-Music Theatre – Elon University. www.mackenziebell.com

CARLEIGH BETTIOL (Ensemble; u/s Alex; u/s Tess; u/s Kiki; u/s Miss Wilde) is thrilled to join Flashdance! Touring companies include: In The Heights, A Chorus Line, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, The Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Was recently seen as a featured dancer/singer on PBS: Live From Lincoln Center in honor of Marvin Hamlisch. Thank you to my loving and supportive family and friends! www.CarleighBettiol.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.

LYNORRIS EVANS (Ensemble; u/s Joe; u/s Andy). A graduate of Fordham University, he was last seen on the 1st National Tour of Memphis, the Musical. Other credits include Leap of Faith on Broadway, Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis, Santa Fe Opera and BalletMet.

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) 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 (And;, 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.

DANI SPIELER (Ensemble; Swing; u/s Alex; u/s Gloria; u/s Miss Wilde) is thrilled to be joining the company of Flashdance! Broadway/National Tours: Legally Blonde, West Side Story. Film/Web Series: So Funny, That’s What She Said, The Battery’s Down. Regional: Paper Mill, TUTS, Goodspeed. BFA: University of Michigan. Thanks and love to family, friends, Sergio, Jason, Kaitlin and everyone at Stewart Talent. Molly! www.TheBatteryCo.com

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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ABOUT THE MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is owned and partially funded by Milwaukee County. The Marcus Center has been the premier entertainment destination for Milwaukee and Wisconsin since 1969. It provides the setting for outstanding cultural experiences, where the arts come to life for current and future generations. Located in the heart of the Downtown Theater District, the Marcus Center is a community facility that offers live performance of opera, ballet, children’s theater, symphony and first-class national touring productions. For more information on Broadway shows presented as part of BMO Harris Bank Broadway at the Marcus Center and Broadway Across America-Milwaukee series, visit the Marcus Center website at www.MarcusCenter.org.

Broadway Across America

A leading Broadway producer and the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America. BAA operates in 40 cities, bringing first-class touring musicals and plays to audiences across the US and Canada including in Milwaukee and markets such as Costa Mesa, Fort Lauderdale, Tempe, Boston, Minneapolis and New Orleans. As a producer, current and upcoming productions include Million Dollar Quartet, Pippin, Big Fish, Betrayal, Bullets Over Broadway, Little Miss Sunshine and Bull Durham.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.