Fox Valley Rep Presents 'Broadway's Best' Benefit, 5/20-22

After six weeks of rehearsal, FVR Instructor Michael Sobie and six local academy singers are proud to showcase their talents in the fundraising performances of Broadway's Best on the Pheasant Run Mainstage, with all proceeds directly benefitting the Fox Valley Rep Performing Arts Academy.

FVR Performing Arts Academy's top youth vocalists have come together to learn and present an evening of the most memorable songs in Broadway's history including music from: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb and more. Student vocalists include: Ellie Clare (15) of West Chicago, Kayla Nicosia (14) of Elgin, Kelsey Pettrone (12) of La Grange, Ava Raddatz (14) of Westchester, Simran Sachdav (14) of Geneva, and Madysen Simanonis (13) of Winfield.

FVR Student Kayla Nicosia.
Tracy Whiteside Photography
Broadway's Best student Kayla Nicosia is looking forward to performer in the showcase. "Having done musical theatre productions and classes for the last five years, I can say that this has been one of the most enjoyable vocal class experiences I have had so far," says Nicosia. "It has been great to work with Michael Sobie, who is amazingly talented and has a great teaching style that has helped me to learn and grow."

Michael Sobie of Chicago directs the group. Since 2003, Michael has toured nationally and internationally with Aida, Altar Boyz, Wicked, Xanadu and Les Miserables. He has conducted and accompanied dozens of theatrical productions for community, regional, and educational theatres. His Chicago production Urinetown (Mercury Theatre) garnered him an After Dark Award and Jeff nomination for his music direction.

"This showcase brings together six wonderfully talented youth in a concert/cabaret featuring theatre repertoire spanning generations," says Sobie. "From Cinderella to Sound of Music, Aida to Wicked, this entertaining evening is sure to please musical theatre fans of all ages, blending traditional and modern classics!"

The FVR Performing Arts Academy is a non-profit organization and features some of the Chicago area's most respected teachers, directors, actors and musicians. It is home to over 1,000 local youth students and offers the most extensive curriculum in the Fox Valley area: classes, camps, workshops, youth ensemble productions, and internship/apprenticeship programs. Since 2006, the Performing Arts Academy has had over 2,000 student enrollments, over 100 Youth Ensemble performances, used over 600 costumes, and provided over 50 student scholarships.

A Showcase of Broadway's Best performances are May 20 through 22, 2011; Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $12-$15, with all ticket proceeds benefitting the Academy. Tickets and more information can be found at www.foxvalleyrep.org or 630-584-6342. If you cannot attend but wish to donate to the nonprofit organization, please visit www.foxvalleyrep.org/support.htm.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and is sponsored in part by the Kane County Chronicle.

Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL.

 

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