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Ft. Myers, FL Nov. 3 - 8, 2009; Barbara Mann PAC. Epcot Shadow Tour
Topic Started: Jan 28 2009, 09:06 AM (523 Views)
mouser
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November 3 - 8, 2009


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Barbara Mann PAC
8099 College Parkway • Fort Myers, FL 33919
800-440-7469 • 239-481-4849
239-489-3033


TICKETS: $75, $60, $50 and $40



SEATING CAPACITY: 1,753 / 1849



SEATING CHART:


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THE VENUE:


Posted Imagecourtesy of rlorelli.com

Located at the Edison Community College campus on College Parkway, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, features top-name entertainment including, Broadway productions, dance, comedians and both popular and classical music concerts.

Posted Imagehttp://www.igcmagazine

Gourmet G.San Francisco, CA says

It feels more like a school auditorium than a contemporary concert hall, not that surprising given its location on the campus of Edison Community College. The orchestra, divided into three sections separated by two aisles, provides sufficient legroom between rows for someone of average height, but the seats - which have little padding on the back - became somewhat uncomfortable after a short period of time. A word of warning: audience members sitting in the first few rows will find themselves craning their necks to see performers on the rather high stage, so opt for seats farther back or in the mezzanine, which extends well over the lower level. The 1753-seat theater serves as host not only to most of the Broadway touring companies that pass through southwestern Florida, but to symphony orchestras, opera, ballet, and modern dance companies, stand-up comics, and classical, rock, and pop artists as well.

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DIRECTIONS :

From Interstate-75:
Ft. Myers Airport Exit #131 (Old Exit #21) to Daniels Parkway. Head west on Daniels Parkway to U.S. 41 (Cleveland Avenue). Cross over U.S. 41 and continue forward. (Daniels Parkway changes names to Cypress Lake Drive.) Turn right onto Summerlin Road. Turn left onto the Edison Community College at the first light. Follow the brown signs for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The Hall is the tallest building on the campus.

From U.S. 41 (Cleveland Avenue or Tamiami Trail):
Heading South: Turn right at the traffic light onto College Parkway. Turn left at the traffic light onto Summerlin Road. Turn right onto the Edison Community College at the first light. Follow the brown signs for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The Hall is the tallest building on the campus.

Heading North:
Turn left at the traffic light onto Cypress Lake Drive. Turn right onto Summerlin Road. Turn left onto the Edison Community College at the first light. Follow the brown signs for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The Hall is the tallest building on the campus.



RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS:

http://hotel-guides.us/florida/barbara-mann-performing-arts-hall-fl-hotels.html Hotels


The University Grill, located on the corner of Summerlin and Cypress Lake Drive and CinCin Mediterranean Bar & Grille located at the corner of Cypress Lake and McGregor Boulevard.are close to the Mann PAC



POINTS OF INTEREST:

Seahorse Scuba
15630 McGregor Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33908
+1 239 454 3111

http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/FortMyersBeachAreaFL/pointsOfInterest/SeahorseScubainFortMyersFL.cfm
Seahorse Scuba near Fort Myers, Florida is a family run, full service scuba diving facility. Visitors will find a PADI Five Start Training Facility to enjoy when they arrive. One of the best in the Lee County area, the location offers both scuba diving educational programs as well as other scuba services. They have been in business since 1989 providing these services. There is a large, complete selection of resources available in the rental department. They also offer air and Nitrox filling.

The Seahorse Scuba has a dive charter boat that will leave the dock for one tank trips into the Gulf of Mexico. There, visitors can explore the wrecks and the reefs that line the sea floor. Visit the Jewfish capitol in these waters. Those that are new to scuba diving can take advantage of the three day beginner scuba certification classes that are ongoing. Or, the referral certification dives can be used to certify, which can be done at your convenience. For younger children, aged 10 to 15 consider the summer scuba camp designed especially for children. Even younger children, age 8 to 9 can enjoy the PADI Seal Team that they offer.

2.
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For the golfing enthusiast, the Fort Myers Area (Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Lehigh Acres and Sanibel Island) is home to over 50 of Southwest Florida's renowned 130 public and private golf courses. Florida's great weather combined with the scenic and challenging nature of these courses makes the area an excellent stop for the vacationing golfer. http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?dest=Fort+Myers+FL


It's November in Florida : GO TO THE BEACH
Posted Imagecourtesy of .beachhunter.net


MEDIA:

1. The Naples News
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/oct/27/idol-angel-taylor-hicks-comes-town-touring-cast-gr/

While he was toiling away as a struggling singer in his native Alabama, Taylor Hicks never thought about doing a Broadway show.

“It wasn’t something I’d ever dreamed of doing,” Hicks says, in his heavy Southern accent.

Now, two-thirds of the way through an 18-month jaunt in the role of Teen Angel in the touring cast of “Grease,” the former “American Idol” winner considers musical theater just another part of his arsenal.

“I’m an entertainer,” Hicks says. “I want to have a very versatile career. So far, I’m just scratching the surface.”

When asked who he models himself after, whose career he plans to achieve, Hicks is bold. “I think (Frank) Sinatra is the obvious model. Sinatra or Elvis, those are the guys who really did it all. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Local audiences will have ample opportunity to see if Hicks can live up to those expectations. “Grease” stops at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall for five days of shows starting Tuesday. And for those who stick around after the curtain goes down, Hicks is performing his new single, “Seven Mile Breakdown,” after the show.

“It’s just another way to get the music out there,” Hicks says.

You wouldn’t think finding an audience would be a difficult proposition for Hicks. More than 63.4 million votes were cast when Hicks beat out Katharine McPhee for the “American Idol” crown in 2006. And estimates claim that season’s finale had close to 200 million viewers.

But unlike Carrie Underwood (country) or Chris Daughtry (hard rock), Hicks doesn’t have an obvious musical niche with a built-in audience. There isn’t much of a market for Michael McDonald clones. So while his die-hard fans, dubbed the “Soul Patrol,” are still interested in his songs, music fans as a whole probably aren’t even aware they exist.

Where first “Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson has been blessed with an uncanny knack for picking great songs, Hicks hasn’t had the same luck with either others’ music or his own songs. The name recognition “Idol” offered him didn’t translate into a hit record. His first album, “Taylor Hicks, sold a disappointing 700,000 copies in the U.S. making it the worst-selling album from an “Idol” winner. The poor sales performance got him dropped from his record label.

His most recent album, “The Distance,” released in March, failed to crack 10,000 in sales in its first week, which is weak even as album sales numbers continue to slip for all artists. Don’t feel too sorry for Hicks, however; Fortune magazine estimates he still pulled in $300,000 last year.

He’s just had to try a little harder at it than his fellow “Idol” stars, which fits Hicks’ working class mentality. Despite more lucrative offers from Broadway producers looking to cash in on his name, he chose “Grease” and the role of Teen Angel because it offered him an opportunity to learn on the job.

“I don’t know much about acting,” Hicks admits. “I wanted to be able to observe and understand how the industry works. Playing Teen Angel lets me get out on stage, but also gives me a chance to watch the other actors and how they go about things.”

After his “Grease” contract runs out in June, Hicks will go back into the studio to record another album. Then he’s looking at his options. He’s had offers for TV and movies. But he has no real firm plans on where his career will take him next.

“Some doors are open,” he says. “We just have to move through one.”

Connect with Jonathan Foerster at naplesnews.com/staff/jonathan_foerster

2. News Press

'Grease's' Teen Angel is an Idol
Taylor Hicks has a cameo in noted play
By Dayna Harpster • dharpster@news-press.com • October 30, 2009
http://www.news-press.com/article/20091030/ENT/910300349/1013/LIFESTYLES/-Grease-s--Teen-Angel-is-an-Idol


Few people write their memoirs at age 31. But few people are Taylor Hicks, who for the record turned 33 on Oct. 7.
He was season five's "American Idol" winner. But beyond that, who is he?

Beginning Tuesday at Barbara B. Mann Hall in Fort Myers, he's the Teen Angel in "Grease."

Growing up, he was the only son of Alabama high school sweethearts who lost that lovin' feeling early on, if you believe "Heart Full of Soul," that autobiography published in 2007.

From the first chapter,

"The Gray-Haired Boy in the Bubble," his tone is by turns pompous and self-deprecating. He refers to his idol, Ray Charles - whom he never met - as "Ray." And then he describes dropping out of Auburn University just 30 credits shy of graduating, but continuing to live in the beer-blast frat party world of playing basement bashes with a band.

In a cringeworthy paragraph, he thanks the nameless woman to whom he lost his virginity at 18.

About his "Idol" time, he writes: "The undeniable truth is that by every standard, I didn't fit in. I was older and fatter, and I had gray hair." But "America loved my belly more than Ace Young's six-pack."

Apparently so. He did win, in spite of Simon Cowell's nay in auditions. America had voted for the boy who began graying at 14, played mediocre basketball and got out of New Orleans just ahead of Hurricane Katrina by offering a cab driver $500 to drive 50 miles.

Several times, Hicks writes that he was mostly genial to his "Idol" cohorts, but as he was there for "fans, not friends," he was sometimes "a monster."

Playing the cameo role Frankie Valli made famous in the 1978 film version of the long-running Broadway musical, Hicks puts his own twist into the part.

"It's tailor-made for me," he said in a phone interview, without a shred of irony. The costume is very Elvis Presley, he said. "It's kind of a throwback to the 'Idol' season with the pompadour hair," he said. "The suit has 13,000 rhinestones on it. And it fits me perfectly."

During the 2006 "Idol" season, Hicks sang "In the Ghetto" and "Jailhouse Rock." And anyone who caught even one episode of the talent show that year learned that blue-eyed soul was Hicks' calling card. His fans would dub themselves the Soul Patrol.

Hicks owns his own record label, Modern Whomp, which produced the CDs "Early Works" in 2008 and "The Distance" earlier this year.

And should any theater-goers have their eye on this Angel, he's still a bachelor, he said, "and lovin' every minute of it."

3. The Naple News

color=#fe0]Former 'American Idol' winner Taylor Hicks, center, plays Teen Angel in the touring cast of 'Grease.[/color]'


The show starts a five-night run at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Nov. 3.
IF YOU GOWhat: Stage version of the popular 1978 film

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 Edison Parkway, Fort Myers

Cost: $75, $60, $50, $40

Information: Call 481-4849 or go to bbmannpah.com

Something Else: Parking is congested because of evening classes at Edison College. Park farther out and escape the after-show traffic jams. There's also construction on Summerlin Road on the east side of campus.
What a long, strange trip it's been for "Grease." The 1950s love story has traveled from stage to screen and back to the stage, now headlined by a television pop idol crooning the words to "Beauty School Dropout." This latest version, appearing on stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, leans hard on every bit of nostalgia it can find - and emerges a surprisingly good time.

Jim Jacobs and Warren Case's original script, called "Grease Lighting," was a gritty examination of the "greaser" culture in suburban Chicago. The hard edges vanished before the show hit Broadway in 1972. The 1978 film added four new songs, including "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "You're the One That I Want" and the title song.

Most of the planet, especially the half with a Y chromosome, probably retains an indelible image of Olivia Newton-John emerging in her "greaser-girl" attire, stubbing out her cigarette and climbing around the carnival in those tighter-than-tight leather pants with John Travolta singing "You're The One That I Want." Given the film's three decades of enduring popularity, it is likely no coincidence that most of the touring cast bears at least a passing resemblance to their iconic predecessors. "Grease" pushes every emotional button at its disposal - and pushes them hard.

The plots of the stage and screen versions are virtually the same, minus a few details. So what does the roadshow production offer that's wholly its own? A whole lot of fun, really.

Of all the film's signature numbers - only the "Greased Lightning" number - for all its energy - disappoints. Travolta's hyper-sexual performance - including a fantasy sequence with the candy-apple red car inside a white studio - is impossible to recreate on stage. Other songs are more successful, particularly the iconic "Born to Hand Jive" and the first-act closer "We Go Together;" both are toe-tapping delights.

Allie Schulz (Rizzo) and David Ruffin (Kenickie) stand out amongst the all-around excellent cast. Schulz is a regal presence, drawing the eye she's on the stage - especially when wearing skin-tight pink and black hot pants and singing the tender "There Are Worse Things I Could Do." Ruffin practically defines jaunty; his comic timing is excellent and he leads "Greased Lightning" with loads of boogie-woogie bicep-flexing style.

You have to mention American Idol Taylor Hicks, although he's there for just one song. Hicks steps into Frankie Avalon's shoes to sing "Beauty School Dropout" - complete with a parade of angelic backup dancers wearing silver glitter headpieces fashioned out of over-the-head hair dryers. I didn't watch one second of his season, but it is obvious why he won; he can - and does - sing down the house.
The show is fun - lots of fun. It doesn't try to be anything other than fun - which is precisely and exactly what it should be doing. If you look deep enough the essential messages of "friendship" and "loyalty" remain and all the social issues from the 1970s remain, albeit pushed far into the background.

"Grease" shamelessly trades on its considerable history and charm - but doesn't disappoint. The halls of Rydell High are just as much fun to visit today as they have been any time since 1978. The music is lively, the tunes are bouncy, "grease is the word." If your neighbor's feet aren't moving during the show, check his pulse.

Stockard Channing was 33 when she played Betty Rizzo. Trouble with Home Ec? Email me at csilk@naplesnews.com.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/nov/04/review-greased-lightning-its-all-about-fun/

4. Fox 4

Former Idol winner Taylor Hicks in SW Florida

Nov 5, 2009 10:49 AM EST


Taylor Hicks was all about "Soul Patrol" on American Idol. But now, it's all about grease lightning and encouraging a beauty school dropout as the teen angel in Broadway's Grease...and Hicks is loving it!

TAYLOR HICKS: "A blast I've had a year to actually work out the part and that's one thinkg that's brand new to me is the acting bug I have now and it's interesting to see where it actually takes me"

While Hicks didn't think he'd ever wind up back on the high school stage...he says he owes a lot to the American Idol stage.

Hicks previewed a bit of his new album "the distance" for me...saying it's a compilation of the last few years since he won Idol in 2006. "I wanted to get back down into my routes explore songwriting in all forms: blues, country, gospel."

As for American Idol, yes...he still does watch, so I had to ask what's up with

Paula getting the boot. "I'm a little sad about it I think Paula definitely brought a lot of entertainment value to the show, but I think Ellen's jokes are funnier than Simon's so I think I think I will be laughing a lot more."

He's also got some encouraging words for any new contestants...learn to text!

"I've seen so many contestants around me that loose their voice talking on the phone so don't talk on the phone if you're going through American Idol. Put your phone down and sing."

That's why Hicks says he always has his harmonica...ready for a tune.

Amy Sedlacek
asedlacek@fox4now.com
Fox 4 In Your Corner

http://www.fox4now.com/Global/story.asp?S=11449515


SOUL PATROL MEMORIES:

1. anothertayfan:

Getting ready to head down to Tampa to see Joe Bonamassa tonight!Going to see Taylor Hicks in Grease for the 22nd time Saturday!


2. Carole

Since I didn't have my hearing aid, all I could hear was the singing and music. There were 2 girls doing sign language so I picked up some of the talking parts. Finally the ice cream cone. Just what I was waiting for. I yelled WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, and the dead man beside me tried to kill me with his look. Taylor was wonderful, he did the full movements when the cone opened. He suit
sparkled in the lights.He sang and danced, I still did the wooooooooo a few times and the dead man would move his head to glare at me. then it was over.

....What a voice this man has, I didn't need my hearing aid to hear him. He runs off the stage. People are trying to leave, I block them and say it's not over, Taylor Hicks is going to sing. Just then the dj announces the song and Taylor and people sit down. All of them sit. Taylor does me proud sing SMB. I love to watch him.
then by the time I find the end of the line, Clay comes back and we say hi and he tells the men to cut the line off after the 2 girls behind me. I don't think anymore tried to get in line. But, there were a lot of people standing in line to get their cds signed.


3. caroleflorida

Telling Clay about how many of the Distance cds I had bought. I'm talking a lot because of being nervous. He says let me give you something. I think just to shut me up. Clay comes back with a 8 by 10 picture of Taylor. I'm beside myself. Then he says here is something else, he gives me a postcard with the same picture as is on The Distance cover. Wow!!And then he hands me the green 7 mile sign. OH MY!! And then he said here is Taylors bracelet. and sticks it in the bag with my other goodies. I'm floating now.
I haven't gotten it out to look at it yet, but looks like a wide yellow rubber band.



4. scrabblequeenbe :

Taylor you look fantastic. I loved you at Epcot. And saw you in Grease in Ft. Myers. FANTASTIC


MEDIA BLITZ:


CHECK DAILY IN THE MEDIA VAULT FOR DOWNLOADS AND HERE AND IN THE VAULT FOR PICTURES, VIDEOS, ETC.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 MEDIA FEEDING FRENZY


1. Live interview & performance on WINK Morning Show (CBS/CW6) http://www.winkfm.com/ DOWNLOAD AND PICTURES AVAILABLE ON MEDIA

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2. FOX Morning Blend with Amy Sedlacek http://www.fox4morningblend.com/ DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE

tonight 10PM news and Thursday Morning Blend (AM news )

http://www.fox4morningblend.com/tabid/3530/story/37891/Default.aspx Video interview with Tracy Edwards DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE
http://www.fox4now.com/global/Category.asp?c=177462&clipId=4273295&topVideoCatNo=90469&autoStart=true VIDEO

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Former Idol winner Taylor Hicks in SW Florida

Nov 5, 2009 10:49 AM EST

Taylor Hicks was all about "Soul Patrol" on American Idol. But now, it's all about grease lightning and encouraging a beauty school dropout as the teen angel in Broadway's Grease...and Hicks is loving it!

TAYLOR HICKS: "A blast I've had a year to actually work out the part and that's one thinkg that's brand new to me is the acting bug I have now and it's interesting to see where it actually takes me"

While Hicks didn't think he'd ever wind up back on the high school stage...he says he owes a lot to the American Idol stage.

Hicks previewed a bit of his new album "the distance" for me...saying it's a compilation of the last few years since he won Idol in 2006. "I wanted to get back down into my routes explore songwriting in all forms: blues, country, gospel."

As for American Idol, yes...he still does watch, so I had to ask what's up with

Paula getting the boot. "I'm a little sad about it I think Paula definitely brought a lot of entertainment value to the show, but I think Ellen's jokes are funnier than Simon's so I think I think I will be laughing a lot more."

He's also got some encouraging words for any new contestants...learn to text!

"I've seen so many contestants around me that loose their voice talking on the phone so don't talk on the phone if you're going through American Idol. Put your phone down and sing."

That's why Hicks says he always has his harmonica...ready for a tune.

Amy Sedlacek
asedlacek@fox4now.com
Fox 4 In Your Corner




3. WBBH-TV News (NBC2) http://www.nbc-2.com/ tonight The 4, 5 6 and 11 O'Clock PM News casts DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE

Here's a great photo from NBC2:


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4. WINK-AM (conservative talk) http://radiotime.com/station/s_29610/WNOG_1240.aspx DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE

Wed. at 7:00 AM EST Nineteen will be played by the hostess Mandy O'Connell

5. WTLT Lite 93.7 (soft rock) http://www.lite937.com/ Wed. nite betwee 7 an 10 PM EST .


6. WINK-FM 96.9 (Hot AC) http://radiotime.com/station/s_29611/WINK-FM_969.aspx tonight PM Drive

7. WCKT (Country) 107.1 http://www.wckt.com/main.html Thursday The Morning Show McGee in the Morning

DOWNLOAD AVAILBLE

http://media.ccomrcdn.com/media/station_content/1706/Taylor_Hicks_1_1257442410_17769.mp3

http://media.ccomrcdn.com/media/station_content/1706/Taylor_Hicks_2_1257442500_16840.mp3

http://media.ccomrcdn.com/media/station_content/1706/Taylor_Hicks_3_1257442551_17709.mp3


8. WOLZ (Hits)
http://www.wolz.com/main.html tonight PM Drive

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