THE HISTORIC FIRST CURTAIN RISES ON "THE VIOLET HOUR."

...REOPENS AFTER 16 YEARS OF NEGLECT AND A TWO YEAR, $35 MILLION RESTORATION.

Who:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg;

TonyŽ Award winners Mary-Louise Parker ("Proof," "The West Wing");

Brian Stokes Mitchell ("Man of La Mancha," "Kiss Me Kate");

Speaker Gifford Miller, Manhattan Theatre Club

Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove;

Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields;
City Councilmember Christine Quinn;

Mario Cantone, Dagmara Dominczyk, Scott Foley, Jasmine Guy, and Robert Sean Leonard, the cast of "The Violet Hour," the first show to play the Biltmore in 16 years, and Liev Schrieber, who will star in "Sight Unseen" at the Biltmore later this season.

What:

This historic re-opening of Broadway's landmarked Biltmore Theatre, the original home of "HAiR" and "Barefoot in the Park," after an extensive two-year, $35 million renovation.

The theatre closed in 1987 and suffered extensive damage from fire, vandalism and neglect.

It reopens this month as the Broadway home of the award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club.

The Mayor and other participants will flick a six-foot switch and turn on the marquee lights at the theatre, after which confetti cannons will signal the opening of the theatre.

The doors to the theatre will then be opened for a dedication ceremony inside, affording the media the first look at the restored interior and a photo opportunity with the cast of "The Violet Hour."

When:

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Press arrivals at 10:30 AM

Dedication ceremony begins at 11:00 AM

Where: The Biltmore Theatre
261 West 47th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue