Beethoven's Wig makes "Serious" music seriously fun for all ages

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

May 2, 2008

If you think it’s unlikely that a kid would shout "you rock!" at a classical music concert -- or that parents, children and grandparents would be seen singing, dancing, and laughing along to classical music -- you haven’t experienced Beethoven's Wig, the classical music sensation for the whole family.

The brainchild of creator, lyricist, producer, and lead vocalist Richard Perlmutter, Beethoven's Wig is zany lyrics set to the greatest hits of classical music. Filled with fact and fancy about the world's greatest composers and their compositions, Beethoven's Wig provides a fun foundation for classical music that will last a lifetime.

This interactive adventure for all ages hits the stage at The Paramount Theater on Friday, May 16 at 7 pm, and a special Youth/Child price is available.

The performance is sponsored by Jay & Jennifer Ferguson. Special Media Sponsor is WVAW ABC 16 Charlottesville.

Called “an irreverent, witty approach to music appreciation ... a laugh out loud album that pretty much guarantees listeners will forevermore recognize [the classics]” (Los Angeles Times), Beethoven's Wig is an award-winning series of recordings, a live show, and a book.

Opening the door to "serious music" in a way that's fun, the Beethoven's Wig Sing Along Symphonies CD series has been honored with three Grammy Award nominations and an astonishing 40 national awards, including American Library Association (ALA) Notable Children's Recording, Parents' Choice Award, Teachers' Choice Award, Booklist Editor's Choice, National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Gold Award, and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award.

The Beethoven’s Wig live performance features favorites from the repertoire, including:

“Franz Liszt the Famous Pianist” (Hungarian Rhapsody #2, Liszt)
“Please Don't Play Your Violin at Night” (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart),
“Can You Can Can?” (Can Can, Offenbach)
“Just For Elise” (Fur Elise, Beethoven),
“Tchaikovsky's Cannonball” (1812 Overture, Tchaikovsky),
“Sing Verdi Very Loud” (La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, Verdi),
“Please Do Not Tease The Viennese” (Blue Danube Waltz, Strauss),
and of course the title song “Beethoven’s Wig” (5th Symphony, Beethoven)

Beethoven's Wig: Read Along Symphonies, the first Beethoven's Wig book, came out in 2005 and has been winning awards of its own. Combining a zany adventure with wild illustrations, the book invites readers to travel through outer space, dive into the depths of the sea, and navigate the twisting walls of a working maze -- all without leaving Beethoven's luxurious hairpiece!

Beethoven's Wig has been featured on NBC's Today Show, NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and XM Satellite Radio.

In advance of the April 25 performance, The Paramount is partnering with Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the Barracks Road Shopping Center (1035 Emmet Street, Charlottesville) for a Storytime featuring the book Beethoven's Wig: Read Along Symphonies on Saturday, May 10 at 1 pm. All those attending the Storytime will be eligible for an in-store raffle offering two tickets (one adult, one youth/child) to the live show at The Paramount.

For more information, please contact Sandra Cararo, Barnes & Noble Community Relations, at 434.984.6598 or visit the store's events page.

Seats are still available for Beethoven’s Wig on Friday, May 16 at 7 pm. Tickets are $26.50, $29.50, $32.50, and $37.50, with a special Youth/Child price of $20.50 offered to those aged 12 and under. Group discounts are available as well.

Tickets are available online or through The Paramount’s Box Office at 434.979.1333.

For more information about Beethoven’s Wig, please visit www.beethovenswig.com.