For Immediate Release – 6.14.

21
Contact: Linda Glosser
Rochester Broadway Theatre League
(585) 277-3323 / linda@rbtl.org

BROADWAY RETURNS TO ROCHESTER THIS FALL

CATS to Tech and Launch National Tour at RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre
$6 Million Local Economic Impact attributed to
Empire State Music and Theatrical Production Tax Credit Program

(Rochester, NY) – The Rochester Broadway Theatre League’s (RBTL’s) Executive Vice President Linda Glosser,
was joined on stage today at RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre, by Senator Jeremy Cooney, Assemblyman Harry
Bronson and Presenter Albert Nocciolino, to highlight the return of Broadway to Rochester this September.

Thanks to New York State’s Music and Theatrical Production Tax Credit Program, the North American National
Tour of CATS will hold technical rehearsals and launch performances in Rochester, September 21-26,
2021. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical spectacular will be the first touring Broadway
engagement to take the stage at RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre since the pandemic halted productions in March of
2020. This will be the 5th tour launch for Rochester since 2016.

Before embarking on their National Tours, Broadway shows assemble and rehearse on location for several
weeks. The Empire State Music and Theatrical Production Tax Credit provides incentives for qualified production
companies to conduct these “tech” periods in Upstate New York entertainment venues, making them
competitive with venues in other Northeastern states offering similar incentives to productions produced on
Broadway.

“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the Theatre Tax Credit Program,” said RBTL Executive Vice
President, Linda Glosser. “On the heels of an 18 month shut down, we could not be more thrilled to mark our
reopening with a three week tech period and tour launch. Our stagehands, wardrobe workers, ticket sellers and
local surrounding businesses will all benefit from this engagement. We sincerely thank our local legislators for
their support in this process, of RBTL and of the arts in our community.”

CATS audiences are expected reach nearly 16,000 patrons during its stay in Rochester. This September, crews
and local laborers will join together to prepare the show for its opening and National Tour. The cast will then
rehearse and prepare for opening night while enjoying some of the area’s best local attractions. Consistent with
previous tour launches, this engagement will result in significant local economic impact, anticipated to be in
excess of $6 million dollars. The economic effect of touring Broadway tech engagements touch area hotels,
restaurants, tourist attractions, parking lots, retailers, union workers, transportation business and more. Due to
the extended tech period, over 1,200 room nights will be filled in local hotels, over 3,500 meals will be consumed
in local restaurants, over 7,500 hours worked will be logged for local union employees, and thousands of dollars
will be spent on local services, supplies and rental equipment. CATS joins nine other Broadway shows opening
their National Tours in Upstate, NY this season, in Buffalo, Syracuse, Schenectady and Elmira.

“Rochester has become a preferred city for launching Broadway tours as a result of the Tax Credit Program. Area
hotels, restaurants, retailers and more have welcomed the cast and crews with open arms, and the community
has responded with an outpouring of support,” stated Albert Nocciolino, RBTL’s Partner-Presenter. “The effect
of this investment will be seen across our region and across the state, with a collective economic impact of this
year’s Upstate NY tour launches estimated to exceed $100 million dollars.”
New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblyman Harry Bronson have been exceptional advocates of
the Empire State Music and Theatrical Tax Credit Program and its impact on the region’s cultural economic
development.

“Bringing performing arts back to Rochester is a vital part of our recovery from the pandemic. The Theatre Tax
Credit Program invests in our community and brings artists, crew members, and concessions staff back to work
at a time when our city is in need of a boost. As a former singer and SOTA graduate, I am confident we will return
stronger than ever. I am excited to see RBTL’s successful new season,” Senator Jeremy Cooney.

“There is no industry that has suffered throughout the pandemic, as much as live performance and
theatre. Renewing and increasing the theatre tax credit this year was crucial in helping our economy to recover
in the fullest, most inclusive way possible. The vibrancy of a community, is in part, what is accessible for the
people who live there. Live performance is one of those things, and that’s what the Rochester Broadway Theatre
League offers our community.” Assemblymember Harry Bronson.

Joining CATS on the 2021-2022 M&T Bank Broadway Season lineup at RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre, are CHARLIE
AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, PRETTY WOMAN, MY FAIR LADY, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, THE BAND’S VISIT,
MEAN GIRLS and HAMILTON. RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre will follow the safety regulations and
recommendations of the CDC, State of New York and Monroe County at the time of reopening. Additional
regulations may be implemented based on industry standards. Patrons will be informed of those requirements
prior to performances. Additional events and information can be found at RBTL.org.

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About CATS:
CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over
30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America! Audiences and critics alike are
rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical
theater—"Memory”. Winner of 7 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, CATS tells the story of one magical
night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn.
The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard),
original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz
(Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based
on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom) and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make
this production a new CATS for a new generation!

About RBTL:
The Rochester Broadway Theatre League’s (RBTL’s) mission is to provide opportunities for all people to
experience, understand and enjoy the best in arts and performance through its education programs, events and
activities. To fulfill its mission, RBTL strives to offer diverse performances that reflect the highest standards of
excellence, and to make those performances accessible to the broadest possible audience. Founded in 1957 as
an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization, RBTL now owns and manages Rochester’s Auditorium Theatre,
home to a full season of touring Broadway shows, the M&T Bank Broadway Season. The Auditorium Theatre
also hosts a number of live concerts, comedy, dramatic and family events throughout the year, and is used by
local performing groups for recitals and other presentations. As a leader in presenting, production and
administration of arts and entertainment in Rochester, the Rochester Broadway Theatre League is set for a
leading role in future planning for the community, and is a catalyst for a substantial local economic impact each
year.