Preview of 'From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook' at the Palace Theater

TO NEWTOWN, FROM BROADWAY WITH LOVE

“From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook” at the Palace Theater (Waterbury, CT) on January 28th

(Newtown, CT) January 7, 2013 – On December 14, 2012, tragedy struck Sandy Hook Elementary School and our nation mourned with the residents of Newtown, Connecticut. As the town slowly attempts to recover, Broadway stars, producers, writers, and directors will lend their voices in support. “From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook” will take place on January 28, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT, 20 minutes from Newtown. All proceeds and donations will go to United Way of Western Connecticut’s Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

“From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook” will feature song, dance, and other appearances from some of the biggest names on Broadway, together with select students from various Newtown choirs and dance groups.

Renowned Broadway performers scheduled to appear include Brian Stokes Mitchell (Tony Award winner: Kiss Me Kate, 3-time Tony Award nominee), Linda Eder (Jekyll & Hyde), Stephen Schwartz (6-time Tony Award nominee, Wicked, Godspell), Micky Dolenz (Aida, member of The Monkees), Marc Shaiman (Tony Award winner: Hairspray, TV’s SMASH), Michael Cerveris (Tony Award winner for Assassins, 4-time Tony Award nominee, Evita, Sweeney Todd), Christine Ebersole (Tony Award winner: Grey Gardens), Frank Wildhorn (Tony Award nominated: Bonnie & Clyde and Civil War, Jekyll & Hyde), Philip Boykin (Tony Award nominee: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess), Richard Kind (The Producers, TV’s Mad About You), Andrea McArdle (Tony Award nominee: Annie, Les Miserables), Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray movie), Alan Muraoka (Pacific Overtures, TV’s Sesame Street), Jan Maxwell (5-time Tony Award nominee including Follies), Robin de Jesus (Tony Award nominee: La Cage Aux Folles and In The Heights), Seth Rudetsky (The Ritz), Julia Murney (Wicked, Lennon), Isabela Moner (Evita), as well as members from various casts of Million Dollar Quartet: Lance Guest, Erik Hayden, Randy Redd, Dan Mills, and Victoria Matlock. More performers will be announced soon and artists are subject to change.

Brett Boles, author of the musical Foreverman, and Broadway producer Van Dean, both from the Newtown area, are the original conceivers of the benefit concert. The Tony Award-winning producer and the emerging musical theater writer decided to put together this concert as a way to lift the spirits of a town so close to their hearts and show that Broadway cares.

“The outpouring of love and support from the Broadway community has been incredibly heartwarming,” noted Dean, “and everyone was looking for a way they could use their talents to bring something positive to the community. From Broadway With Love provides them with the perfect outlet to do so.”

The benefit concert will be directed by Michael Unger with certain segments directed by Jeff Calhoun, Stephen Nachamie, David Lee and Daisy Prince and is produced by Van Dean and Kenny Howard of the Broadway Consortium, Jennifer Isaacson, Ken Mahoney, Sarahbeth Grossman, Bethney Ruggiero, Michael A. Alden, Rob Hinderliter and Yvette Kojic. Jeffrey Saver (End Of The Rainbow) is music directing and conducting an orchestra consisting of many top Broadway musicians. Librettist David Thompson (The Scottsboro Boys, Steel Pier, Chicago) is helping the creative team shape the show. Cindi Rush Casting is on board as Casting Consultant. Tom Bussey is Technical Supervisor, John Petrafesa is Sound Designer, David Agress is Lighting Designer and Tom McPhillips is Scenic Designer. Zoya Kachadurian is Production Stage Manager.

From Broadway With Love provides a free night of entertainment for the impacted families, first responders, and the Sandy Hook Elementary community. The Palace Theater seats approximately 2,600 and a limited number of tickets will be on sale to the public beginning January 7, 2013 at 10:00 am. These tickets range from $50 to $250. To purchase tickets or make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.FromBroadwayWithLove.org. Contact Ken Mahoney at 914-419-3762 or sponsorship@frombroadwaywithlove.org for information on how be become a corporate sponsor.

This benefit event is made possible, in part, by the generous donations from many companies and individuals including Bermuda Limousine International, One Dream Sound, the Palace Theater of Waterbury, CT, Atomic Rental, Consulting for a Cause, The Silent Orchestra and more. Please see www.FromBroadwayWithLove.org for a full list.