Bucks off Bernstein!

The 5th Avenue Announces 24-Hour Sale for next Monday on special prices for next two shows, On the Town and Candide

SEATTLE, WA –The 5th Avenue Theatre announced today that to help kick off the Seattle Celebrates Bernstein Festival, we will be having a special 24-hour Sale on the next two shows in our season, Leonard Bernstein’s riotous musical On The Town, and his mid-career masterpiece Candide.

Starting on Monday March 22 at 10:00 a.m., patrons can purchase tickets to select performances of these two musicals using the promo code 24HOUR for only $19.18, to celebrate Bernstein’s birth on August 25, 1918. This special price is good for any Friday evening performance of either show (On the Town April 16, April 23, April 30; Candide May 28, June 4, June 11).

Monday evening at 7:00, join the kick-off for Seattle Celebrates Bernstein at our Spotlight Night, a regular free event at The 5th that has drawn record crowds this past season. Join Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong as he’s accompanied by a collection of Seattle’s favorite talent for a look at the life of Bernstein, a sneak preview at upcoming Festival events, and a tune-filled evening that delves into the history of these two landmark shows.

On The Town was Bernstein’s first musical, written in 1944 with book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and choreography by Jerome Robbins. This madcap comedy follows the fortunes of a trio of sailors on 24-hour shore leave in New York City, where they dance, joke and sing their way through misadventures, marvels and romance. Director Bill Berry’s production of On The Town earlier this year for New Jersey’s Papermill Playhouse received critical raves, including The Star Ledger (“a magnificent revival”), Curtain Up (“For the sheer number of belly laughs and for simply having a helluva good time, you can’t beat the jovial and rambunctious carrying on by the three sailors…”) and The Wall Street Journal (“...gets everything right, all the way down to the last detail, and the results are lovely and amazing to behold…. better than any musical now playing on Broadway.”)

Candide was written by Bernstein in 1956, but it didn’t become a hit until 1974 when Hal Prince’s Broadway production ran for nearly two years. Having been taught by his beloved tutor, Dr. Pangloss, that “everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds” our handsome, yet hapless, hero Candide sets off on an epic journey to find his one true love -- the beautiful Cunegonde. Along the way he encounters wars, plagues, shipwrecks, earthquakes, pirates, swindlers, the Old World, the New World, the fabled lost city of Eldorado, and the Spanish Inquisition! Inspired by Voltaire’s classic satire this legendary musical features a sparkling score by the greatLeonard Bernstein that includes the famous “Candide Overture,” the hilarious and bravura showstopper “Glitter And Be Gay,” and the moving and inspiring anthem “Make Our Garden Grow.” This Seattle premiere, directed by David Armstrong, offers you the rare opportunity to experience one of “the best musicals you’ve never seen!”

Tickets for this special offer are available by using the promo code 24HOUR online via The 5th’s website at www.5thavenue.org, or in person at the box office, 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle. Service fees apply to online orders. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Spotlight Night begins at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 22. The event is free, but attendees must reserve their tickets. They can do so over the phone by calling 206-625-1900/toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, or online at www.5thavenue.org.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle’s premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation’s largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong, Managing Director Bernie Griffin and Producing Director Bill Berry, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org.