Tony Ponturo, Fran Kirmser Announce Collaboration To Bring The Life Of Vince Lombardi To Broadway

“Lombardi,” based on the bestseller “When Pride Still Mattered” by Pulitzer Prize winning author David Maraniss, to tell the life story of Vince Lombardi, one of America’s Most Quoted and Legendary Personalities
By: Joe Favorito
 
Nov. 9, 2009 - PRLog -- New York, – Tony Ponturo, one of the most influential figures in sports and entertainment in the last 20 years and current head of Ponturo Management Group LLC., the New York based sports and entertainment management, investment and marketing company and the current producer of Broadway’s Memphis, and Fran Kirmser, a fixture in the arts and producer of the Tony Award Winning Musical Hair, today announced they have joined forces to bring the life story of Vince Lombardi to the stage in a dramatic production.
Lombardi, a new play written by playwright and Oscar winner (for the creation of the life story of radio legend Norman Corwin and member of the noted Steppenwolf Theater Company of Chicago) Eric Simonson, is based on the best-selling biography When Pride Still Mattered by Pulitzer Prize winning author (currently at work on the biography of President Barak Obama) David Maraniss. This original work will bring the audience into the life and times of one of America’s most inspirational and mercurial personalities, Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi.

“Sometimes we need to go back in our history, to learn lessons for today. Vince Lombardi’s name is on the Super Bowl trophy, but many young people do not know the story of this man.” Ponturo said. “In a time where people continue to look for the shortcuts to success, Vince Lombardi’s story teaches that hard work, discipline, respect and time are the elements needed to succeed.  “’Lombardi’ expects to entertain those who love the stage with the classic tale of triumph by a very diverse and sometimes misunderstood soul, while also bringing in those who enjoy sports but never thought that such drama could be played out on the stage.”  

Ponturo will team up with Kirmser, who backs projects in both non-profit and commercial realms, such as the work of great American playwright August Wilson. “Vince Lombardi -- his inspiration, passion and ability to get people to achieve what they thought they couldn't achieve -- is more relevant now, in these challenged times, than ever before,” Kirmser said. “Sport produces great human drama, and there is no better dramatic character from sport to bring to life in theater than a man who overcame great obstacles to become a success and is always identified as one of America’s most inspirational leaders.”
Ponturo and Kirmser met while collaborating on the production of Hair, Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical.

“Vince Lombardi was not just a great coach, he was one of the most compelling individuals in American popular culture in the 20th Century. I am very pleased to bring the essence of my work and his life to Broadway in this play,” Maraniss added.

The play, with a multi-character cast, is scheduled in debut on Broadway in the fall of 2010. For more information on Lombardi log onto www.lombardibroadway.com

Ponturo Management Group, LLC
Is a New York based consulting, management and investment company in media, sports and entertainment established by Tony Ponturo in Jan 2009.  Annually recognized as one of the most powerful executives in sports, Tony was mostly recently ranked by Business Week as #14 out of the top 100 in 2008. He was ranked as the 12th most influential person in sports by the Sports Business Journal in 2007 and the #1 sports advertiser executive in 2004. With his vast amount of experience and knowledge, Tony Ponturo is developing Ponturo Management Group in many different prominent venues, including associate producing Hair, the 2009 Broadway Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical and producing the new Broadway musical, Memphis. He is also co-executive producer of a soon to be produced film, Keeper of the Pinstripes.  

Fran Kirmser Productions LLC
Fran Kirmser Productions provides consulting and fundraising support to productions large and small in both Non-profit and Commercial Theater.  A fixture in the arts, she began her professional career as a dancer at 14, and has worked on and off the stage with hundreds of artists and producers in theater. Fran has contributed to the development of new theatrical works at Williamstown Theater Festival and Musical Theater Works. On Broadway, her production of August Wilson’s Radio Golf garnered a host of awards, including the New York Drama Critics Circle for Best Play along with four Tony Award nominations. Her most recent show, Hair, won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Off Broadway in the Non-Profit realm she has provided production support to shows at the New 42nd Street Theatres including the Duke on 42nd Street, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), The Joyce Theater, Second Stage Theater, Primary Stages, and Lincoln Center/Lincoln Center Festival.

CONTACT: Joe Favorito- 917-566-8345
Email: Fatherknickerbocker1@yahoo.com

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Long time sports and entertainment communications, marketing and branding executive now handling a series of consulting businesses and freelance projects. Check out our best practices site at joefavorito.com or email us at fatherknickerbocker1@yahoo.com.
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Source:Joe Favorito
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Tags:Vince Lombardi, David Maraniss, Nfl, Tony Ponturo, Green Bay Packers, Hall Of Fame, Broadway Drama, Roger Goodell, Hair
Industry:Arts, Sports, Marketing
Location:New York City - New York - United States
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