MGM HD Game-Day Lineup Trades Touchdowns For Tunes

On February 7, 2010, many viewers will want to flee testosterone-filled living rooms and sports bars in search of alternatives to football, and MGM HD may just have their answer.

The studio’s high-definition network has scheduled a game-day lineup especially for those who wish the half-time show was the ONLY show. MGM HD will offer a marathon of six back-to-back musicals, going long to trade touchdowns for tunes and defense for dancing.

Shown in crystal-clear HD and the original 16:9 aspect ratio, the day’s “action” kicks off at 2:00pm EST/11am PST with a diverse selection of classic and contemporary musicals, including Hair, The Cotton Club, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, A Song is Born, The Fantasticks and Moulin Rouge.

To watch sneak-peek clips, check out production stills, and view the entire schedule, visit: www.mgmhd.com/musicals. Schedule includes:

Hair (1979) – With exuberance, inventiveness and humor, Treat Williams and Beverly D’Angelo lead a cast of stars in this film version of one of Broadway’s most popular musicals of all time.

The Cotton Club (1984) – It was the Jazz Age’s most electrifying showcase and Harlem’s most notorious speakeasy. Richard Gere plays a jazz musician who saves a mobster’s life, only to fight for his own when he falls for the gangster’s moll. Gregory Hines also stars as a dancer battling the prejudice of the day.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) – Fun, daring and over-the-top, this Oscar®-winning musical takes a road trip with two drag queens and a transsexual who get a cabaret gig in the middle of the Australian outback.

A Song is Born (1948) – This lavish Technicolor remake of an original Billy Wilder story features a stellar supporting cast of musical legends, including Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong and others.

The Fantasticks (2000) – Based on the longest-running musical in the world, this bewitching musical comedy follows the scheming of two neighboring fathers who attempt to spark a romance between their children by faking a feud.

Moulin Rouge (1954) – With Zsa Zsa Gablor and Jose Ferrer's brilliant performances, and John Huston's Oscar® -nominated direction, Moulin Rouge is the fascinating story of troubled 19th century artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, passionately to life.

This special musical lineup is part of MGM HD’s “MGM At the Awards,” which features movies with award-celebrated talent in honor of the studio’s 85th anniversary.