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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Broadway League and the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) Are Pleased to Announce the Second-Annual BROADWAY SALUTES
May 27, 2010
A Public Celebration To Honor the Myriad of Professionals Who Have Made Broadway Great for Decades on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, in Father Duffy Square. This Year’s Celebration To Include “Stories 2010,” A New Component Highlighting the Lives and Unique Untold Stories of Broadway Employees

On Tuesday, September 14, 2010, The Broadway League and the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) will present the second-annual Broadway Salutes, a unique public celebration honoring the myriad of professionals who have made Broadway great for decades - with special recognition for those individuals who have worked 25, 35 and 50 years in their respective theatrical craft.

The outdoor ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. in Father Duffy Square (Broadway at 46th Street), located in the heart of the Broadway Theatre district.

Broadway Salutes honors a wide-range of theatre professionals - including stagehands, actors, producers, managers, theater owners, publicists, ushers, agents, make-up artists, dressers, designers, directors, choreographers, musicians and more - who have dedicated their careers to the Broadway theatre industry.

“Broadway supports 84,000 jobs and generates $477.7 million in tax revenue for NYC,” said COBUG Chair Tony DePaulo. “Broadway Salutes gives COBUG an opportunity to join with the Broadway League to publicly recognize and thank our colleagues for their individual and collective contributions to this unique and vital industry.”

Paul Libin, Chairman of The Broadway League and Vice President/Producing Director of Jujamcyn Theaters, said, “I am thrilled that Broadway Salutes is becoming an annual tradition – it is a well-deserved celebration! Broadway contributed $9.8 billion to New York City in 2008-2009 season, thanks in no small part to those who work on Broadway behind-the-scenes.”

Building on the success of last year’s event, this year Broadway Salutes will include a new component, “Stories 2010,” to share the stories that spotlight the unique relationships, the dynamic presence and the quiet day-to-day tales of workers in the Broadway arena the public otherwise might never know. By sharing these stories, Broadway Salutes acknowledges the individual’s impact on the Broadway industry and honors their work. 

“We in theatre know that much of the work happens backstage, away from the spotlight, in the darkness of the wings, in an office cubicle or the belly of a Broadway basement, far from the watchful eyes of the audience,” says Broadway Salutes Co-Chair Daniel Adamian. “Through ‘Stories 2010,’ Broadway Salutes will bring some exceptional stories of service to the public’s attention and give these moments – and the craftspeople behind them – the recognition they deserve.”

Stories may include a backstage legend, the tale of a leading Broadway actor, a moment in the life of a designer or a producer’s road to success. 

“These stories will be about the achievement, dedication, and variety of the professionals comprising the Broadway community,” added Broadway Salutes Co-Chair Laura Penn. “They will demonstrate the collaboration of our industry, the day-to-day relationships, and the indelible character of the Broadway professional.”

Story submissions will be accepted from all sources and will be reviewed by a peer panel of Broadway professionals representing COBUG and The Broadway League.  Stories will be considered based upon their uniqueness, collegial, and representation of a craft or profession.  The Broadway Salutes honorees whose stories are shared will be publicly named and recognized at the September celebration. 

Nominations for “Stories 2010” are being accepted now through June 30, 2010.  For complete eligibility guidelines and to download a nomination form, please visit www.sdcweb.org.

An industry-wide celebration co-chaired by Daniel Adamian (General Manager and Counsel for Jujamcyn Theatres) and Laura Penn (Executive Director of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society), the Broadway Salutes planning committee is comprised of Dori Berinstein (Producer), Michael David (Producer), Andy Drachenberg (Committee Coordinator), Dan Gilloon (Local One), Nick Kaledin (ATPAM), Shannon Koger (Local 764), Nina Lannan (General Manager), Carl Mulert (USA), Lawrence Paone (Local 751), Paige Price (AEA), Jeffrey Richards (Producer), Charlotte St. Martin (Broadway League), Stuart Thompson (Producer/General Manager), Charlotte Wilcox (General Manager) and Connie Wilkin (Production Manager).

Additional details for Broadway Salutes will be announced soon.