Mountain Laurel Center and Metropolitan Talent Announce Booking Agreement for Rock, Pop, Comedy, and Country Acts

Bushkill, PA— Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts CEO Richard T. Bryant today announced that Metropolitan Talent, led by industry veteran John Scher, has entered into an agreement to book MLCPA’s rock, pop, country, and comedy programming. Mountain Laurel Center and Metropolitan Talent have already begun working together on MLCPA’s 2007 summer season, which MLCPA plans to announce in April.

“Mountain Laurel Center is proud and delighted to partner with John Scher and Metropolitan because of their remarkable eye for talent and extraordinary ties to the concert industry,” said Bryant. “I am personally pleased that John and I will be working together again to build on what MLCPA has already accomplished and further strengthen our programming capabilities. My history with John goes back to the opening of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center ten years ago, when I was vice president there and he booked the rock and pop programming. He is certainly one of the most respected independent concert promoters today. With John and Metropolitan Talent aboard Mountain Laurel Center has nowhere to go but up.”

“Richard Bryant has done a remarkable job establishing the fiscal stability that will finally allow Mountain Laurel Center to become the national destination it was always meant to be,” said Metropolitan Talent co-CEO John Scher. “With our expanding profile throughout the Northeast, we consider Mountain Laurel Center a perfect fit. I look forward to our collaboration with Richard Bryant and to playing a key role in Mountain Laurel Center’s future success.”

Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts (MLCPA) is a nonprofit performing arts center located in Bushkill, Pennsylvania serving the Pocono Mountains region and beyond. Its principal venue, the Tom Ridge Pavilion, offers 2,500 covered seats and room for 3,000 more under the stars on its comfortable lawn. MLCPA presents large-scale popular and fine arts programming during the summer months. Its arts-in-education programs are offered year round.

Notable artists who have performed at MLCPA include Bob Dylan; Crosby, Stills and Nash; Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Boston Pops; Dave Brubeck; New Jersey Symphony Orchestra; Bela Fleck; Ricky Skaggs; Hank Williams Jr, and ZZ Top, among others. Programs for children and schools have included Dora the Explorer Live!; Jazz at Lincoln Center; Pilobolus; and Paul Taylor II.

Metropolitan Talent, Inc. is a multi-faceted entertainment company led by co-CEO’s John Scher and Al Cafaro. The company’s concert division, headed up by Senior Producer Ian Noble, presents live events throughout the Northeast and was also recently the tour producer of the highly successful INXS “Switched On” North American Tour. Other divisions include artist management (Bruce Hornsby, Art Garfunkel, Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir & RatDog) and independent record label Hybrid Recordings (Gin Blossoms, Assembly of Dust, Jen Chapin).

John Scher and Metropolitan have a long history producing shows in eastern Pennsylvania which includes the development and production of events at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain (originally the Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center).

For John Scher’s Biography, please visit: http://mountainlaurelcenter.net/news/2007/john-scher-biography-02-12.php

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Contact:
CJ McKenna
Development Manager
Direct: 570.426.2080 x5007
Email: cmckenna@mlcpa.org

Contact:
Renee Pfefer
Metropolitan Talent
Phone: 914.273.0007
email: Renee@ontourpr.com