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Starlight Express

Andrew Lloyd Webber's International Sensation
Presented by Dallas Summer Musicals at the
Music Hall at Fair Park August 5-17

The All-New Production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Triumphant Musical

After years of entertaining the world with unforgettable melodies and record-breaking stage productions, Andrew Lloyd Webber has written new, never before heard music expressly for this production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS.  He’s joined by a fresh young Broadway talent, the Tony® Award nominated composer and lyricist of The Full Monty, David Yazbek.  Webber and Yazbek have updated the memorable score, which includes music of every genre—pop, rock, rap, blues, even country and western—using contemporary music as their inspiration.

Brought to you by London’s original creative team, this all-new production of the international sensation fuses state-of-the-art technology, electrifying music, and dazzling sets and costumes designed by John Napier, the Tony® Award winning designer of Cats and Les Miserables.  An impressive set, centered around a “half-pipe,” and an unrivaled lighting and special effects system with more than 1,400 color, pyrotechnics, lasers and optic effects combine to transform the roller skating performers into wildly careening trains, each with its own unique personality.

This production of STARLIGHT EXPRESS also features an element never before seen in a Broadway show—3D film sequences.  The technique brings the action out to and over the audience, promising a journey you will never forget!

As the show begins, an unseen nine-year-old boy playing with his model train set is sent to bed by his (also unseen) mother.  As he slumbers, his imagination takes over, controlling the engines and cars, and giving each a life and personality of its own.  In his dreams, a competition is declared whereby each train engine will pull one car in a series of races staged across North America.  The engines and cars couple and uncouple for the races (and in their relationships) in a storyline that parallels the story of “The Little Engine That Could,” teaching a powerful lesson about the triumph of the human spirit.

STARLIGHT EXPRESS opened in London on March 27, 1984, and closed on January 12, 2002, after an almost 18-year run in the West End.  It is second only to Cats as the longest running musical in British theatre history.  The show went on to achieve international success, with additional productions on Broadway, in Las Vegas, Japan, Australia, a North American tour and in Bochum, Germany, where it is still playing after more than 14 years.

“We are all proud that Starlight not only became the second longest-running musical in London theatre history, but also has spawned a new generation of theatre-goers who perhaps never considered going to the theatre before,” says Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s international sensation, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, is coming to the Music Hall at Fair Park for two weeks, Aug. 5-17, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals as part of their family-friendly 63rd season.  Tickets are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any Ticketmaster outlet including The Majestic Theatre, Fiesta or Foley’s Stores, Tower Records or Wherehouse Music.  Tickets may also be purchased by calling 214-631-ARTS(2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  For groups of 20 or more, call 214-426-GROUP.

Dallas Summer Musicals continues its family-friendly season Sept. 2-14 with Flower Drum Song, the newly revised musical, with a book by David Henry Hwang and the timeless, beautiful score by Rodgers & Hammerstein, kicking off a national tour in Dallas following a successful run on Broadway.  Sept. 30-Oct. 19, Mamma Mia!, the hit new musical based on the songs of ABBA, will also be the 2003 State Fair of Texas musical.

Dallas Summer Musicals is celebrating its 63rd Anniversary this year as one of the nation’s premiere presenters of musical theater productions.  A non-profit cultural organization, Dallas Summer Musicals is dedicated to presenting and producing the best in musical theater.  To learn more about their history of excellence, or for more information, call 214-421-5678 or visit them at www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, KLTY Radio, Freeman Auto, and American Airlines.

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