FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2002 CONTACT Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 'THE PHANTOM' TO VISIT DRAKE LITERACY CENTER Brad Little, starring as "The Phantom" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, will share his experiences with dyslexia with clients and tutors at the Drake Literacy Center at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Little's talk, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the library of Drake's School of Education, 3206 University Ave. Little will be making his second visit to the Drake Literacy Center, which provides free one-on-one tutoring for 50 adults and 15 children. He first talked with clients and tutors at the center in 1997 when "The Phantom of the Opera" first played in Des Moines. During this visit, he will discuss how he has overcome his reading problems and how he discovered his special talents. "Many of our clients have very low self-esteem because they cannot read," said Anne Murr, coordinator of the Drake Literacy Center. "I think they'll be inspired by Brad and perhaps he can help them learn how to discover their own gifts and talents." As part of the touring company's community service efforts, Little visits schools across the country to share his experiences with dyslexia, an impairment of the ability to read. Little heads the 36-member company that will be performing at the Civic Center through June 1. He has recently finished recording "Brad Little Unmasked," his debut CD of Broadway music. At the time Little was asked to join "The Phantom of the Opera" national touring company, he was performing the role of Raoul in the Broadway production of "The Phantom of the Opera." His other Broadway and national tour credits include "Cyrano the Musical," playing the role of Captain De Castel Jaloux; "Fiddler on the Roof" with Topol; and the Lincoln Center production of "Anything Goes," in which Little understudied and played the role of Billy Crocker. Little won international acclaim for his portrayals of Jesus in the European tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and Tony in "West Side Story." The Drake Literacy Center needs more volunteers to work with adults and children who want to improve their reading and writing skills. For more information about volunteer opportunities or the center's literacy instruction for dyslexics, call (515) 271-3982.