Queens Theatre Launches Student Matinee Series with ELLA Today, 10/4

Queens Theatre (QT), through the support of Bank of America, presents the first performance of its Student Matinee series with ELLA, the new Ella Fitzgerald musical, today, October 4, 2012.

The Bank of America Student Matinee Series is a new educational program set up in partnership with Queens Theatre with the goal of exposing local youth to Theatre and the performing arts. Through financial support from Bank of America, QT Theatre Series matinee performances will be provided free of charge to public junior high and public high school students in Queens and the New York metropolitan area. “The matinee series will provide Queens students with a truly unique theatre experience, and for some, open their eyes to a whole new world,” said Jeff Barker, Bank of America New York City president, “This is the latest example of longstanding partnership with Queens Theatre, which includes helping open their cabaret space in 2010.” The 2012-2013 Bank of America Student Matinee Series kicks off with QT’s premiere of ELLA (Sept 27-Oct 7), and continues throughout the school year with productions of SHIRLEY VALENTINE (Nov. 29-Dec. 9), HIT LIT (Mar. 7-17, 2013-an original QT production written by Robert Wuhl), and the world premiere of BROADWAY ROMANCE (May 1-5, 2013). “Queens Theatre is honored to be able to continue our long-standing partnership with Bank of America, and I am personally delighted that their support will go directly towards the education of the next generation of theatre-goers and future arts leaders at a time when opportunities like this are becoming much scarcer” said Ray Cullom, Executive Director.

About ELLA: It's a life lived out loud in this exhilarating new musical about jazz and swing legend Ella Fitzgerald. This theatrical event weaves myth, memory and music as it tells the uplifting and poignant story of one of the greatest jazz/pop vocalists of 20th century music. Set in 1966, on the night of one of the most important concerts of her career, Ella jams with the musicians— including famed trumpeter and Queens resident Louis Armstrong—reflects on her life, her secrets and the love of music that made her soar.

ELLA features more than a dozen of her most famous hits, including "A Tisket, A Tasket," "How High the Moon," "That Old Black Magic" and "They Can't Take that Away from Me," thisswinging new musical invites audiences to fall in love all over again with the magic and soul of Ella Fitzgerald.

“It’s fitting that a musical about Miss Ella Fitzgerald should make its New York premiere at Queens Theatre,” said Ray Cullom, Executive Director of Queens Theatre. “Not only was Ella once a resident of Queens, the borough has this rich, and often unknown, jazz history. So many of the greats lived and played here - Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lena Horne... the list goes on and on.

About Queens Theatre: Queens Theatre, under the artistic leadership of Executive Director Ray Cullom, is the premier home for international music, theatre and dance in the borough of Queens. Designed by Philip Johnson as part of the historic New York State Pavilion for the 1964 World’s Fair, the theatre is now a vibrant performing arts center committed to presenting world-class entertainment that reflects the diversity of New York’s largest borough. With three performance spaces, the theatre plays host to a variety of performances throughout the year, from cabaret to comedy, including the Immigrant Voices Project, a program that seeks out emerging playwrights and develops works that represent the rich cultural diversity of the city.

Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way across more than 100 markets around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create shared value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. Reaffirming a commitment to develop and sustain a culture of service, bank employee volunteers contributed more than 1.5 million hours in 2011 to enhance the quality of life in their communities worldwide. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.

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