It's Not Easy Living Green

Theater League was recently awarded a $5000 grant from the Broadway League to further promote it's educational programs in Wichita. This grant is awarded annually to theaters across the country to support programs like ours, giving students an opportunity to experience touring Broadway, not just as a form of entertainment, but also as an educational tool.

Theater League's program, "It's Not Easy Living Green" focuses on the newly formed green initiatives now in place on Broadway and in many touring Broadway shows. The inspiration for the grant was a small high school in a very small town in Western Kansas.

On May 4, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas was virtually wiped from the map after an E5 Tornado tore through the town of 1500. The devastation in its wake challenged the residents of this small town to rebuild or move on. Those who decided to stay came to the decision early on to rebuild a better and "greener" town. This decision brought this small town and it's very private residents into the spotlight. Greensburg and its efforts became an example of how to build and live in an environmentally friendly way.

A portion of the grant looks at Greensburg High School’s efforts to rebuild in a green fashion and how their “Green Club” has influenced its students. Theater League will work with Wichita High School West’s drama department, Greensburg High School, Greensburg City leaders and members of the touring company of WICKED to further the cause of the growing “Green Movement.” Through workshops, field trips, question and answer sessions and attending a performance of WICKED, students from both Greensburg and West High School will see major moments of the production come to life, while gaining a deeper understanding of our world and how to sustain it.

Jim Brickman's Beautiful World Holiday Concert

Jim Brickman, a longtime supporter of public television, will make a very special appearance Monday, September 14 in Wichita during the KPTS Fall membership drive. Brickman will be on hand to discuss and preview his newest DVD release, BEAUTIFUL WORLD. This spectacular celebration of friendship and peace was inspired by Brickman's travels around the world. He is joined by many special guests, Latin singing sensation Jon Secada and American Idol alum Melinda Doolittle to name but a few.

Theater League is thrilled to bring Brickman back to Wichita for a very special one-night-only holiday concert, November 23 at Century II Concert Hall. In an effort to support public television and the performing arts in Wichita, Theater League has donated a block of tickets to be used during the pledge drive as part of valuable gifts offered KPTS/PBS members.

For more information about the Beautiful World tour and Jim Brickman CLICK HERE. To find out about all of the shows in the 2009-10 Broadway Series at Century II, which kicks off October 21 with the blockbuster WICKED, CLICK HERE.

Get Your 80s On!

Remember when popped collars, mall bangs, hair bands and Madonna were cool? Did you morn the cancellation of the Dukes of Hazzard, or the apparent death of Bobby Ewing. Were you a fan of Prince, Tina Turner, Van Halen (before Sammy Hagar) and the Culture Club...then you are a true child of the 80s!

This season, Theater League is bringing back the 80s with the Tony® nominated Broadway hit THE WEDDING SINGER. Based on the hit film which starred Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, THE WEDDING SINGER tells the story of lead singer and wannabe rock star Robbie Hart. He is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer, until he is left at the altar by his success-crazed, social climbing girlfriend. He falls in love with Julia, who happens to be engaged to a Wall Street womanizing hot shot. Robbie has to pull off the performance of a lifetime to get the girl before she is gone forever.

THE WEDDING SINGER celebrates the fun of the 80s and this tour is also celebrating the fun on the road. The cast is offering a great behind the scenes look at a National Broadway tour with their WEDDING SINGER BACKSTAGE PASS and is keeping fans updated on their exploits on the road with their official Facebook site.

The aspect of this show that makes it fun for the audience, is how much fun the cast is having on stage. Joy and laughter are contagious and the actors who make up the cast of THE WEDDING SINGER are definitely sharing the joy!

Catch THE WEDDING SINGER this fall when it hits the stage in Toledo, OH October 1-4 and South Bend, IN October 9-10. And watch for it later this season in Phoenix & Mesa, AZ, Santa Barbara & Thousand Oaks, CA and Wichita, KS.