Bank of America has been named the title sponsor of the 2011-2012 Broadway Across America - Fort Lauderdale Season. Broward market president and business banking executive, Lori Chey, said, "We value the opportunity to work with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Broadway Across America, and are excited to share in this exciting cultural experience for our diverse community. We not only support and understand in the value of the arts, but, the value of the arts community. Bank of America's support of the Broward Center and Broadway Across America, is just one example of how Bank of America is setting opportunity in motion in our communities."

"Bank of America has been a long time partner in Broward Center's education programs and clearly recognizes the impact of the arts in our community. We are delighted to see them extend their support to become the title sponsor of the 2011-12 Broadway Across America Series in Fort Lauderdale here at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts," said Kelley Shanley, Broward Center President and CEO. "With the generous commitment of organizations like Bank of America, we can continue to offer an exciting line-up of performances that will engage audiences of all ages."

"We are thrilled that Bank of America has chosen to support the Broadway Across America series in Fort Lauderdale," says Susie Krajsa, Executive Vice President for Broadway Across America. "Their contribution will be key to our continued growth in the South Florida arts community."

Broadway Across America will present six shows in Fort Lauderdale in the 2011-2012 season: Rain, NETworks Presents Beauty And The Beast, Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot, South Pacific and La Cage Aux Folles starring George Hamilton at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Broadway Across America - Ft. Lauderdale is presented in arrangement with the Florida Theatrical Association, which is a non-profit, civic organization with a volunteer board of trustees established to ensure the continued presentation of quality national touring Broadway productions in the state of Florida. Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible theatrical experiences for all guests, selling over five million tickets to first rate Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events in over 40 North American cities each year. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent, please visit www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Presentations at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, the Department of State, the Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Support is also contributed by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc., The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Consortium is a cultural partnership between the Performing Arts Center Authority, the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and The Historic Stranahan House Museum. It is supported by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Visitors Bureau. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts houses the Au-Rene Theater, the Amaturo Theatre, and the Abdo New River Room, and has affiliated venues at the Parker Playhouse, the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, the Miramar Cultural Center and the newly opened Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. For any of the offerings of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts you may contact them by phone at 954-462-0222 or online at www.browardcenter.org.

See the current theatre season schedule for southern Florida.

-- John Lariviere