Nick Adams, Paul Canaan, Jenn Colella, Blake Daniel, Jenn Gambatese, Tyler Hanes, Lauren Kennedy, Julia Murney, Matt Risch, and Kate Schindle are among the Broadway stars who will participate in the Broadway Dreams Foundation's (BDF) Holiday Benefit Concert on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre at the West Side Y. The star-studded evening of entertainment will benefit the non-profit organization which brings young talent closer to their Broadway dreams regardless of their financial status through intensive week-long Broadway training programs throughout the country.
Directed by Paige Price, the BDF Holiday Concert will feature TV's Nicholas Rodriguez ("One Life to Live") and Milena Govich ("Rescue Me") along with Broadway stars and BDF Teaching Artists including Nick Adams (Guys & Dolls), BDF co-founder & LA vocal coach Dave Barrus, BDF Artistic Director Paul Canaan (Legally Blonde), Jenn Colella (High Fidelity), Blake Daniel (Spring Awakening), Jenn Gambatese (Tarzan), Tyler Hanes (A Chorus Line), Donnie Kehr (Billy Elliot), Lauren Kennedy (Vanities), Julia Murney (Wicked), Matt Risch (Pal Joey), Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde), BDF Musical Director & Composer Jeremy Schonfeld and Matt Trent (Billy Elliot). Also appearing in the benefit will be students from past BDF programs across the country and a special performance by Telsey + Company casting directors Craig Burns and Rachel Hoffman. The evening is co-chaired by Amanda Watkins-Guettel (Sweet Charity) and composer Jeremy Schonfeld.
Tickets for the BDF HOLIDAY BENEFIT CONCERT are $55.00. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mybroadwaydreams.com. All proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization.
BDF offers significant scholarships to ensure that all qualified students are able to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. The November 23rd holiday benefit will attempt to fund additional scholarships for worthy aspiring actors.
BDF has brought its unique program to Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, and San Diego, among others. In 2010, BDF plans to travel to more than one dozen cities. Former BDF faculty include Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley, Tony Award-nominated performers Jodi Benson, Laura Bell Bundy, Gavin Creel as well as "American Idol" finalist and Broadway star Diana DeGarmo, TV's Mark Indelicato, Matt and Jessica Bogart, Jenn Gambatese and casting directors Craig Burns and Rachel Hoffman.
Over one thousand students have participated in the BDF program and some have gone on to star on Broadway, pursue careers in the arts or attend prestigious theatre programs in universities throughout the United States.
