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Fame - The Musical National Tour Brings Global Sensation Home to The Convocation Center
Sunday, September 21, 2003

DeKalb, IL – FAME – THE MUSICAL, based on the Academy Award winning motion picture and long-running television series, will be at the Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway for one night only on Sunday, September 21, 2003. Doors will open at 6:30 pm.

Tickets will go on sale 10 am Thursday, August 14th at all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets can also be charged by phone at (312) 559-1212, ordered online at Ticketmaster.com , or at the Convocation Center Box Office. Reserved ticket prices range from $45.50-$25.50 for general public, with a $5.00 discount for NIU students. NIU students can only receive the discount if they purchase a ticket at the Convocation Center ticket office.

FAME - THE MUSICAL is a critically acclaimed world-wide phenomenon having played over 5,000 performances from 300 productions in over 16 countries. The show has played across England (including an extended run in London's West End), in Germany, South America, Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe and a successful three year tour in North America. The show returns to America with an all new show produced by Phoenix Productions.

FAME-THE MUSICAL chronicles the 4 year odyssey – from audition to graduation – of a group of talented and dedicated students at New York City's High School of the Performing Arts. Driven by the compulsion for fame, these deeply rendered characters from diverse backgrounds experience common triumphs and tragedies along their journey toward immortality.

Conceived and developed by David De Silva, FAME was originally released as a movie by MGM/United Artists in 1980, earning four Academy Award nominations and taking home the Oscar for its musical score written by Michael Gore. Running for six years on network television and in syndication, FAME also won several Emmy Awards, making FAME one of the most successful movie-turned-television series in history. Yet again, FAME has thrilled audiences with a highly rated reality series on NBC in the summer of 2003.

“The reason FAME is so popular with audiences is that it promotes the idea that success follows talent and dedication, but not without its share of highs and lows. Even with talent, there are victories and defeats, laughter and tears,” explained Michael McFadden, co-founder and Artistic Producer of Phoenix Productions, the producer of the national tour.

FAME - THE MUSICAL is a youthful, energetic and uplifting show that encourages all of us to pursue our dreams.

FAME - THE MUSICAL is written by Jose Fernandez, lyrics by Jacques Levy, with a musical score by Steve Margoshes and produced by Phoenix Productions co-founders Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden.

David De Silva, known as “Father Fame,” is a native New Yorker with a background in education. Mr. De Silva developed the idea for FAME – THE MUSICAL from his belief in “magnet” schools like the High School of Performing Arts (now the Fiorello La Guardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts).

Playwright Jose Fernandez began his theatrical career as an actor. His writing credits include the off-Broadway musical “El Bravo!” and two screenplays “Debut” and “Manny.” Lyricist Jacques Levy has been honored with three Grammy nominations and among his credits includes Broadway's “Oh! Calcutta!” and “The Golden Hand.” Award-winning Steve Margoshes' Broadway credits include The Who's “Tommy” which he received a Drama Desk Award and a Grammy Award, “Smokey Joe's Café” and the revival of “Grease.”

Phoenix Productions is proud to bring world-class musical theater to audiences across North America and throughout the world. With fresh thinking and innovative solutions, the company develops, produces and presents superior theatrical entertainment and delivers it with imagination and passion. Producers Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden have two decades of theatrical success and industry partnership that have resulted in thousands of performances of over 50 live productions on four continents. Phoenix Productions is currently touring the hit musical GREASE guest starring Frankie Avalon, in addition to a brand new production of FAME – THE MUSICAL. Phoenix Productions has also toured GODSPELL; PHANTOM; BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story; Eve Ensler's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES; Barry Manilow's COPACABANA; and an extended run of the off-Broadway hit LATE NITE CATECHISM. In 2002, Phoenix produced its first original musical, SING ALONG SANTA, which delighted family audiences across America, and will tour the United States and Asia in 2003. Phoenix Entertainment Korea was recently established in Seoul as an overseas division of Phoenix Productions that is dedicated to the development of cultural alliances with multinational partners, sponsors, and performing companies in the Far East. In its inaugural season, Phoenix Entertainment Korea will launch productions of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, THE KING & I, and SING ALONG SANTA.

For more information on events at the NIU Convocation Center call 815-752-6800

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