OMAHA, NE – May 10, 2004 – Omaha based, Oberon Entertainment Properties received a 2004 Tony nomination. The New York production of the play “Frozen” has received a nomination for best Broadway play of 2004. Oberon as a producing partner of the Broadway production would share the Best Play Tony with the other producers. In addition, to Best Play, “Frozen” received three additional nods;

-          Best Actress for childhood Omaha resident, Swoosie Kurtz,

-          Best Supporting Actor for Brian F. O’Byrne, and,

-          Best Director for Doug Hughes.

Swoozie Kurtz recieved a best actress Tony nomiation for her performace in FROZEN

At the June 6, 2004 ceremony presented live on CBS. Brian F. O'Byrne won the Tony for Best Supporting Actor. "We were really happy with great job Brian did in pluging the show on national television. Of course we were disappointed that we did not win but what a thrill to be given the opportunity to be diappointed you did not win a Tony," said Mark Hoeger, Oberon Entertainment co-presiden, “But we were not looking to buy a Tony. We invested in “Frozen” for three reasons.  First, it’s a great play.  Secondly, we were excited about the potential to participate as a co-producer with long-time Broadway and film producers Frederick Zollo and Nicholas Paleologos in a motion picture version of the play.  And lastly, because of our long-time relationship with Swoosie.” 

Oberon Entertainment is excited about the potential to make“Frozen” into either a small feature film or made-for-television movie.  In 2002 Oberon released “Full Ride” as a made-for-TV movie on the WB network. “Full Ride” is currently in home video and television release worldwide. Zollo and Paleologos’ major studio films (which also include “Quiz Show,” “The Paper,” and “Ghosts of Mississippi”) have received a total of fourteen Academy Award nominations. Their first film for television, “In the Gloaming,” was honored with five Emmy Award nominations including Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Their Broadway plays have earned a total of sixty-four Tony nominations. “Broadway and the Tony’s are exciting,” says Oberon co-president, Andy Anderson, “But Oberon’s work will really begin when we start developing this now even more valuable property into a motion picture asset.”

Oberon Entertainment Properties, L.L.C. is a company that specializes in the art, craft and business of motion pictures; all forms of motion pictures, film, video, digital streaming; all purposes of motion pictures entertainment, communication, promotion, documentation. Oberon creates and produces motion pictures as a service for others. It also manages investment in motion pictures as an asset.

Swoosie Kurtz was a childhood resident of Omaha and cousin of Oberon Entertainment Chairman Thompson H. Rogers. “It was the family connection that first brought this opportunity to our attention,” explains Rogers, “Aunt Margo, Swoosie’s mom, thought of us when they needed capital to move the show to Broadway. At first I was leery about

investing in a family project, and I was not interested in just passively putting my name in a program, but Mark and Andy convinced me there is a real business opportunity here.” As Executive Producer, Thompson H. Rogers’ name appears in Playbill and on the nomination.

Multiple Tony Award winner, Swoosie Kurtz has appeared in many TV shows and movies, received several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy for her guest-starring performance on Carol Burnett's comedy series "Carol & Company" (1990).  She attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, collected Broadway's "triple crown" (the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards) for her portrayal of Gwen in Lanford Wilson's "The Fifth of July". Oberon co-president Andy Anderson also worked with Ms. Kurtz as the Second Unit Director in Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth.

“Frozen” is the story of the repercussions of a murdered child.  Nancy (Ms. Kurtz) is a mother whose 10-year-old daughter disappears on her way to her grandmother’s house in a nearby British suburb.  Agnetha, (Laila Robins) is an American psychiatrist in London researching her thesis, “Serial Killing: A Forgivable Act?”  Ralph (Mr. O’Byrne) is the tattooed drifter who killed Nancy’s daughter and becomes a dominant figure in both Nancy and Agnetha’s lives.  “The biggest problem is that when you try to describe the subject matter folks fear that it is going to be a big downer,” says Hoeger, “In fact, the show is amazingly entertaining. The drama is riveting which makes the comic relief all the more satisfying. The play is very topical and affirming. It shows how we find the power to survive in the face of tragedy and cruelty.”