Hallmark Original Movie THE MUSIC TEACHER Premieres Tonight, 8/11

Hallmark Channel presents the world premiere of THE MUSIC TEACHER at 9pm ET/PT, 8C tonight, August 11.

Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) Award nominee Annie Potts ("GCB," "Designing Women") and Emmy(R) Award winner Richard Thomas ("The Waltons") star in Hallmark Channel's first movie musical, "The Music Teacher," a Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere, tonight, August 11 (9pm ET/PT, 8C) featuring original songs and lyrics composed by Alan Ett. Potts plays a high school music teacher on the brink of losing her beloved afterschool program who learns the lasting bonds she's made with her students has not only touched their lives, but forever changed hers. The film also stars Kerry James ("Heartland"), Emilie Ullerup ("Arctic Air"), Moneca Delain ("The Break-Up Artist"), Shawn Roberts ("Resident Evil: Retribution"), Peter-John Prinsloo ("Edgemont") and Rukiya Bernard ("Christmas in Canaan").

In Kansas City, Alyson Daley (Potts) is a high school music teacher whose afterschool program has taught dozens of students not only how to sing, but to gain confidence and build bright futures. Alyson has dedicated herself to changing her students lives for the better, a mission she began sixteen years ago when a tragic accident caused the deaths of her husband and son. Mourning the loss alone, Alyson used the program to distract herself, but is now devastated again when district budget cuts threaten to cancel the program for good. Hearing the news, her first class of students decides to reunite to put on a show-stopping musical to raise money and keep the program alive. Now adults, the cast and former friends look back on the lessons they learned as troubled high school students from Ms. Daley. As they rehearse, they begin to form new bonds - and repair old ones - just in time for opening night, and give their beloved teacher renewed strength to heal her heart.

Annie Potts recently returned to series television in the ABC drama "GCB," based on the bestselling book Good Christian Bitches. Potts has created many famous female roles in her career, perhaps none better known than 'Mary Jo Shively' from "Designing Women." Potts was nominated for an Emmy(R) Award for her work in "Love & War" and she received two Screen Actors Guild nominations for her work on "Any Day Now." Potts is also known for film roles "Pretty in Pink," "King of the Gypsies," "Ghostbusters I & II" and many others. Annie Potts has a long list of Broadway credits, most recently taking over for Tony nominee Hope Davis in God of Carnage.