<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:115%">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">
Mark A. Zimmerman, Theatre Director</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:right"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"><a href="mailto:MZimmerm@akron.k12.oh.us">MZimmerm@akron.k12.oh.us</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:right"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%">(330)
873-3408</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:right"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:150%"><b><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:150%"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size:28pt;line-height:150%">Practically Perfect in
Every Way</span></b><b><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:150%"> <br>
</span></b><b><i><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:150%">Mary Poppins </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:150%">to take Firestone HS Stage for Five Performances</span></b><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:150%"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:150%"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">Akron School for the Arts to Present
One of Six Pilot Productions of Popular Musical</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">(Wednesday, February 26, 2014 – Akron, Ohio) – </span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">A spoonful of sugar will not necessary for this Akron School
of for the Arts theatre production. The popular musical<i> <b>Mary Poppins</b></i> is set to
appear on the Firestone High School stage for five performances starting at
7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Additional performances of <b><i>Mary Poppins</i></b>
will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and
Saturday, March 22, 2014. A single matinee performance will be held at 2:30
p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">Tickets for <b><i>Mary
Poppins</i></b> are $10.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door. Reserved, VIP
tickets are $15.00. Advanced and VIP tickets are available online at BrowPaperTickets.com.
A mail-in ticket order form can be downloaded at FirestoneTheatre.com. Advanced
tickets for <b><i>Mary Poppins</i></b> will be available in the school commons from 11:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. school days starting Wednesday, March 12, 2014. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><b><i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;color:rgb(51,51,51)">Mary Poppins</span></i></b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;color:rgb(51,51,51)"> is based on the books by P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney
Film. It features original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B.
Sherman, a book by Julian Fellowes, and new songs and additional music and
lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. <b><i>Mary Poppins</i></b> is set in 1910-era England
and features the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a
nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a
combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each
other again. The score features songs from the 1964 film as well as new songs
written specifically for the London and New York theatre productions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">The Akron School for the
Arts is one of six schools nationwide selected by Disney Theatricals to present
<b><i>Mary
Poppins</i></b> as a pilot production. This process is intended to help the
creators fine-tune the script and prepare additional materials for use I future
school productions. A detailed questionnaire must be completed by theatre
officials at the conclusion of the performances.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">The Akron School for the
Arts production of <b><i>Mary Poppins</i></b> is under the direction of theatre director Mark A.
Zimmerman. Guest artist Marissa Motigney serves as the show’s choreographer. Choral
director Sally Schneider serves as the vocal music director. Guest artist Julie
Lehman serves as rehearsal accompanist and vocal coach. Assistant band director
Bernie Williams serves as instrumental music director and conductor. Guest
Artist Elynmarie Kazle serves as production manager and stage management
mentor. Guest artist Connie Hecker serves as scenic designer. Guest Artist Greg
Poccolo serves as lighting designer. Guest artists Jeny Hall and Leanne Bock
serve as shop foremen and set builders. Guest artist Randie O. Sass serves as
the costume designer. Sophomore DJ Jenkins serves as the production’s stage
manager. She assisted by freshman Theresa Stafford. Seniors Ashton Blake and Charles Worthy serve
as student sound designers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;color:rgb(51,51,51)"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">A special <b><i>Fish
& Chips Dinner</i></b> will be held at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. between
performances on Saturday, March 22, 2014. Tickets can be purchased online at
BrownPaperTickets.com. A mail-in ticket order form is available for download at
FirestoneTheatre.com. A special <b><i>Tea with Mary Poppins</i></b> will be held
at 11:00 and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2014. Tickets are $20.00 and
include a single ticket to the matinee performance on March 22, 2014. Tickets
are available on-line at BrownPaperTickets.com. A mail-in ticket order form is
available for download at FirestoneTheatre.com.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%">Firestone Theatre is the award-winning
play-production component of the Akron School for the Arts housed at Firestone
High School. Firestone Theatre was named an “Outstanding School” by the Educational
Theatre Association in 2013. The curricular track of Firestone Theatre is
accessible to all rising ninth-grade students via open enrollment and a formal
audition.</span></p><div><br></div>-- <br>Mark A. Zimmerman,<br>Theatre Director<br><br>Akron School for the Arts<br><div>Harvey S. Firestone High School<br>333 Rampart Avenue<br>Akron, Ohio 44313<br><br>330.873.3408<br>
<a href="http://www.FirestoneTheatre.com">www.FirestoneTheatre.com</a>
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