The Artist Series Presents THAT'S AMORE

‘THAT'S AMORE', a hit-filled celebration based on Dean Martin's hugely successful TV specials of the 1960s, is coming to Jacksonville on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Times Union Center's Moran Theater.

Many superstars have dominated the American recording scene, but none shone more brightly than Dean Martin. Born Dino Paul Crocetti, and a member of the iconic Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr, Martin's superb romantic voice, laconic style and Italian good looks, took him to the top of both the record and movie charts. He appeared in 51 movies, with starring roles alongside Marlon Brando in ‘Young Lions', John Wayne in ‘Rio Bravo', ‘Hollywood or Bust' with Jerry Lewis and ‘Oceans 11' with his Rat Pack buddies.

In 1965 Martin moved onto TV, hosting one of the most successful light entertainment series in history, ‘The Dean Martin Show'. Winning a coveted Golden Globe Award, it ran eight years until it was relaunched as ‘The Dean Martin Comedy Hour'. The decade from 1974 to 1984 saw ‘The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts' achieve massive ratings, featuring legendary Hollywood guests including Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, James Stewart, John Wayne, Gene Kelly, George Burns, Milton Berle, Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller and Joe Namath.

This sparkling new stage production sees Mark Adams perfectly capture the style the looks, the charm, the voice and the magnetic appeal of the legend that was Dean Martin. Featuring the Barry Robinson Orchestra, ‘That's Amore' delivers all his greatest hits, including ‘Memories Are Made of This' ‘Volare', ‘Little Old Wine Drinker Me', ‘Mambo Italiano', ‘Cha Cha Cha d'amour', ‘Gentle on my Mind', ‘South of the Border', ‘That's Amore' and many more. Joining them will be the glamorous singer/dancers, The Goldiggers, plus very special guests performing songs made famous by Peggy Lee, Petula Clark, Nat King Cole and Shirley MacLaine.

Mark Adams has played many leading roles in the West End, including three years starring to critical acclaim as Dean Martin in ‘The Rat Pack - Live From Las Vegas'. He created the leading roles of Alfred and Sam in the European premiere of ‘Romance, Romance' at the Gielgud; Mack in ‘Mack and Mabel' at the Piccadilly; Reuben in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' at the London Palladium; and he was in the original casts of ‘Oliver!' at the Palladium and ‘Mutiny!' at the Piccadilly. On TV, Mark played Vince Beecham in ‘EastEnders' and Phil Thompson in three series of ‘Doctors'. He also played Perry Gardner in two series of ‘The Manageress'. Mark was the lead singer of the Odeons who toured the UK and Europe and recorded with Polydor records. Mark has also written two full-length children's musicals, ‘Apples Don't Grow in Boxes' and ‘Let's Make Noise'.

THAT'S AMORE - Dean Martin & FRIENDS HOLIDAY SPECIAL will be performed at the TIMES UNION CENTER'S MORAN THEATER on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 7:30PM for one performance only. Tickets range in price from $32.50 to $70.50. Discounts are available for groups of 10+, 40+, or 60+ by calling (904) 632-3228.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373 (toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY.)

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the
The Artist Series' website, www.artistseriesjax.org.