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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2006
Steven and Maureen Van Zandt to Produce on Broadway
SOPRANOS Star & Member of BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND and SOPRANOS Actor/Wife to Partner with Tony-Award Winning Producer Nina Keneally & Industry Vet Jamie Lightstone
New York, NY- Steven Van Zandt (The Sopranos, the E Street Band, and Little Steven’s Underground Garage) and his wife Maureen Van Zandt, who portrays Gabriella Dante on The Sopranos, have announced the formation of Renegade Theatre, to produce great American classic plays on Broadway. They are joined by Tony Award-winning producer Nina Keneally (“Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Last Night of Ballyhoo”) and industry veteran and attorney Jamie Lightstone, formerly with Sony Music Entertainment and SBK Entertainment. Maureen Van Zandt will also assume of role of artistic director. The first production is slated for the 2006-2007 season.
Renegade Theatre will offer American theatrical masterpieces, and will feature some of the most popular and gifted artists of our time, including many film and television stars. The Broadway productions will be limited engagements of 8 to 12 weeks, to accommodate shooting schedules and commitments of the actors. Details of the first production and starring actors will be announced shortly.
“The actors will be part of our creative team. We will work communally with them to choose and showcase the best possible play to attract the broadest possible audience,” said Maureen Van Zandt. “If an actor has always wanted to play a particular character, that’s great. If they want to play against type to highlight their versatility and shake things up at bit, we’re open to that too. If they want to do a show with their spouse or someone they’ve always wanted to work with, we’ll try to make that happen. There’s really no limit.”
"Every actor and director I've talked to about this has been very enthusiastic about it," said Steven Van Zandt. "It's the six month commitment usually demanded by Broadway that's a bit of a problem for some, eight to twelve weeks seems to be the right fit."
Said Nina Keneally, “With their unique perspective and singular access to today’s top TV and film actors, Maureen and Steven have created a concept that will be one of the most exciting and innovative endeavors to happen on Broadway in years, both for audience and actors alike.”
“We want to preserve and expose these great works to a worldwide audience. For that reason we are entering discussions to film the productions for television,” said Lightstone.
Van Zandt began her artistic career as a classical dancer and performed with ABT, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and the Garden State Ballet. In 2004 she formed The Garage Girls A Go Go, a 1960’s-style dance group who have appeared on national television and have begun touring extensively. Van Zandt studied acting with Stella Adler and Herbert Berghof and has appeared in numerous theatrical productions and films. In 2001, she founded the “With Out Papers” theatre company, and has produced and appeared in all of their shows, including a highly acclaimed production of Clifford Odets' “Golden Boy.”
Aside from his recent work as actor, DJ and musician, Steven Van Zandt is also an acclaimed record producer for artists including Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Darlene Love, Gary “U.S.”Bonds, the Charms, The Chesterfield Kings, and more.
Van Zandt is chairman and founder of Renegade Nation, a multi-faceted media company which encompasses Renegade Radio (Sirius Satellite Radio channels and Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show), Renegade Circus (touring and live events), Wicked Cool Records, Renegade Swag (merchandising), Renegade Talent (booking agency), Renegade Films, and upcoming web, wireless and television projects.
For more information on Little Steven Van Zandt, please contact Diana D'Angelo at Shore Fire Media, 718.522.7171 or
ddangelo@shorefire.com.
