News Release

Press Contact: Ben Thietje 612-810-5111 Ben@DalekoArts.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DALEKOARTS OPENS AWARD-WINNING 1950s MUSICAL FOREVER PLAID

New Pragues professional theatre company will open its first musical July 11th

June 18th, 2013 Get out your brylcreem and dust off your Perry Como records: the Plaids are in town. DalekoArts, the brand new ensemble company headed up by New Prague native Ben Thietje and his wife Amanda White, will take its first crack at a musical with smash hit Forever Plaid, opening Thursday, July 11th at 7:30pm at the New Prague Middle School. The musical tells the story of four young singers, members of 1950s boy band Forever Plaid, killed in a car accident on their way to the gig that would have been their big break. Theyre given the chance to come back for one final concert, and they grab the moment in a funny, touching and memorable revue packed with tight harmonies and soaring versions of some of our favorite songs from the 1950s. "Forever Plaid is a wonderfully hilarious show; its innocent, fresh, goofy and great for all ages. Youll be humming these songs for days, says White. The show features New Prague native sons Ben and Toby Thietje, Minnesota stage veteran Tom Karki, and Bobby Gardner, a company member at Minneapolis Brave New Workshop since 2006. Offstage, the foursome are also good friends. Says Gardner, The music in Forever Plaid is incredible; its a singer's dream show. I'm so excited to be working on it with my best friends. I feel like I'm back in college, except with way more bills and responsibilities." Ben Thietje laughs, "Right; theres a chemistry thats developed in an ensemble approach to theatre. We know each other well, and we care about each other. Theres huge trust, and it adds something unique to the work. This kind of tight, four-part harmony is also so much fun to sing especially with fantastic singers like the ones we've been lucky enough to assemble. The show is directed by DalekoArts company member and Emmy Award winner Christine Karki, who has worked for Park Square Theater, The Great American History Theatre, Commonweal Theatre Company, Actors Theater, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Hey City Theater and others. Karki says, Forever Plaid is, at its core, about the love of music and how music has the power to bond, heal, transform, transport, transcend, and create lasting memories for these characters as well as for the audience. DalekoArts first season is sponsored by Prairie Pond Winery. The first fifty patrons to purchase tickets to opening nights throughout the season will also receive an invitation to an Opening Night Party hosted by Prairie Pond. "It's a perfect place to grab a glass of wine with some friends before a show," said Thietje. White adds, And this is a great night at the theatre; bring your five-year-old, bring your mother-in-law, bring her mother-inlaw...its for everyone, and its a blast! Individual tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling 952-314-9077 or visiting DalekoArts.com.

DALEKOARTS works with professional artists to create ensemble-based live performance centered in and around New Prague, Minnesota. We are committed to being a positive force for high-quality theatrical performance and arts education. We train and work under a great and spirited legacy: the rich artistic heritage of the Midwest.

Amanda White Co-Artistic Director

Ben Thietje Co-Artistic Director

602 7th St NE, New Prague, MN 56071 952-314-9077 | DalekoArts.com

DalekoArts was founded in 2012 by theatre artists Ben Thietje and Amanda White. New Prague was chosen as the companys home due to the communitys extraordinary interest in theatre, the regional growth and development it has experienced in the last decade, and its close ties to the founders. Daleko a Czech word meaning far away reflects New Pragues strong bohemian roots, its spatial relationship to the cultural hub that is the Twin Cities, and the ensembles desire to step back and examine the world from a new point of view. ###

(Fact Sheet on Page 3)

FOREVER PLAID
FACT SHEET WHO: DalekoArts Written by Stuart Ross Performed by Bobby Gardner, Tom Karki, Ben Thietje, and Toby Thietje Designed by Darren Hensel (sets), Merritt Rodriguez (lighting), Christine Loose (costumes), Abbee Warmboe (props), Peter Morrow (sound) Stage Managed by Mark Tietz Music Directed by Tony Sofie Directed by Christine Karki WHAT: WHERE: WHEN: DalekoArts presents its only musical of the 2013 inaugural season with a two-week engagement of the smash hit 1950s musical, Forever Plaid. New Prague Middle School 721 Central Ave N, New Prague, MN 56071 EIGHT PERFORMANCES ONLY: July 11-21, 2013 HOW MUCH: Thursday, July 11 @ 7:30 PM - post-show party at Prairie Pond for first 50 patrons Friday, July 12 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, July 13 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, July 14 @ 2:00 PM Thursday, July 18 @ 7:30 PM Friday, July 19 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, July 20 @ 7:30 PM Sunday, July 21 @ 2:00 PM

$12 - $15 (subject to change) Discounts: - 15% off groups of 10 or more

PHOTOS: TIX & INFO:

http://dalekoarts.com/press 952-314-9077 DalekoArts.com