FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Margie Smith 215-790-5867 [email protected] Scott Handfinger 215-790-5847 [email protected]

KIMMEL CENTER, INC. OFFERS GREAT STUDENT DEALS PASS Program, Student Subscriptions, Rush Tickets Provide Access to the Arts

PHILADELPHIA (August 2, 2004)-For Philadelphia-area students on a budget, there are opportunities to attend performances and experience all the Kimmel Center has to offer without spending a lot of money. Kimmel Center, Inc., the non-profit organization that owns and operates the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and manages the Academy of Music, offers several programs designed to keep the arts accessible. For the second year, Kimmel Center Presents performances are part of the Philadelphia Arts Student Sampler (PASS) program, created in conjunction with the One Big Campus initiative. This sampler series provides easy access to tickets for a variety of programs throughout the season. Several arts organizations have partnered to create this package, which is divided into two semester-long offerings of three performances each. By bundling tickets into a fall and spring package, students have the opportunity to experience a range of performances at incredible discounts.

Students choose one performance from each arts organization, creating an individualized PASS. The PASS program costs $59 for three events or $113 for six, essentially offering students three performances for the price of one. Students can purchase a PASS at the Kimmel Center box office or online at www.ticketphiladelphia.org.

“The PASS is the perfect tool for getting students to venture off campus, out of the dorms and into the city,” said Todd Hoffman, project partner in the One Big Campus initiative. “Philly’s performing arts scene is one of the greatest assets that this region has.”

Kimmel Center Presents events included in this year’s PASS program are Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove (February 23, 2005); Kodo Drummers (March 20, 2005); the Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy presentation of Smokey Joe’s Café (April 1-2, 2005); and Bang on a Can All-Stars, part of the Kimmel Center’s critically acclaimed Fresh Ink series (April 28, 2005).

Resident Companies of the Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music participating in the program are The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Penn Presents is also included. Students are also eligible for half-price subscriptions to the Kimmel Center’s Citizens Bank Broadway at the Academy series of touring Broadway productions. The 2004-2005 season includes The King and I, starring Sandy Duncan (September 7-12, 2004); the Tony Award-nominated revival of Big River, featuring deaf and hard-of-hearing actors (November 23-28, 2004); Disney’s all-new musical On the Record (January 4-9, 2005); and Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby in her farewell tour (March 22-27, 2005).

Student subscriptions range in price from $55 to $120 and are valid for Tuesday evening, Wednesday matinee and Wednesday evening performances in the Family Circle and Amphitheatre sections of the Academy of Music. Tuesday and Wednesday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday matinees are at 2 p.m. Subscriptions can be purchased by calling 215-893-1955 or visiting www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway.

Student Rush tickets are occasionally available for Kimmel Center Presents performances. Student Rush tickets are $10 and are best available seating, based on prior sales. Students may call 215-893-1999 on the day of the event for availability. When available, Student Rush tickets go on sale 30 minutes before performance time and may be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office with a valid student ID. Limit one per person. A limited number of Community Rush tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. $10 Community Rush Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning at 5:30 p.m. for evening performances and 11:30 a.m. for matinees. Limit one per person.

The Kimmel Center also offers some 75 free performances on the Commonwealth Plaza stage. For a full schedule of Free in the Plaza performances, visit www.kimmelcenter.org.

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