PlayhouseSquare Welcomes Olivia Newton-John, 12/9

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta became the iconic on-screen lovers "Danny" and "Sandy" in Grease, but it took them until now to record together again. November 13th their holiday album "This Christmas: John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John" was released with proceeds donated to their respective charities: the Jett Travolta Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center.

On the heels of the new album, Olivia Newton-John will take the stage at PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre Sun., December 9th at 7:30 pm to perform the catalog of hits that have comprised her singing and acting career.

That career began for Olivia at 15 as part of the girl group, Sol Four, which won an Australian TV talent show contest. By 1971 she had recorded her first hit, "If Not For You," quickly followed by "Let Me Be There," which not only won her the Academy of Country Music's Most Promising Female Vocalist but a Grammy Award as Best Country Vocalist. Her countless successes went on to include three more Grammys, numerous Country Music Awards, American Music Awards and People's Choice Awards, 15 Top 10 singles and five #1 hits including "Physical," which topped the charts for 10 consecutive weeks.

In 1978, her Grease co-starring role with Travolta catapulted Olivia into super-stardom and led to the production of the most successful musical soundtrack in history, producing such hits as "You're the One That I Want," "Summer Nights" and "Hopelessly Devoted To You." (The film was re-released worldwide in '98 to even more acclaim as it celebrated its 20th Anniversary…a testament to the film's timelessness.)

Starring in other films…most notably dancing with Gene Kelly in Xanadu…and hosting the internationally-syndicated "Wild Life" TV show (bestowed an Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II), Olivia also turned her celebrity to humanitarian causes. From the American Red Cross to the Rainforest, Olivia gives back to the community, including service as Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme and as the 10-year-plus National Spokesperson for the Colette Chuda Environment Fund/CHEC (founded after the death of the best friend of Olivia's daughter, Chloe, to a rare childhood cancer.)

Her charmed life has not been without its share of upsets. In the '90s, Olivia successfully overcame her own battle with breast cancer. Her struggle produced the album GAIA, reflecting on her experiences, which she used to become a positive inspiration to others battling cancer. Her personal victory led her to partner with Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre and the creation of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre (ONJCC) in Australia, where she also opened her GAIA Retreat & Spa.

Although born in England, Olivia's family moved to Australia when she was five. Over the years, Olivia and friend, Pat Farrar, have teamed to promote the wines and products of her adopted homeland through their Koala Blue brand. Her various services to Australia from entertainment to health, education and the environment led Queen Elizabeth to appoint her as an Officer of the Order of Australia. She was also honored by the Land Down Under by being inducted into the Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Tickets for Olivia Newton-John's December 9th performance at PlayhouseSquare are
$75, $65, $50, $40 & $10 Smart Seats, and are on sale at playhousesquare.org, the Ticket Office and 216-241-6000.

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