The winner of the "Public Schools Sing LIBERTY 125!" contest is the choir from the Brooklyn High School of the Arts, it has been announced by Theresa Wozunk, producer of LIBERTY A Monumental New Musical.
The Brooklyn High School of the Arts' choir, along with Broadway's
Esther Stilwell (currently making her Broadway debut in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT), and
Lewis Grosso (Michael Banks in Disney's MARY POPPINS) will perform the song "Huddled Masses" from the Off-Broadway bound musical LIBERTY A Monumental New Musical, with book and lyrics by
Dana Leslie Goldstein and music by Jon Goldstein, at the National Park Service celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty National Monument on Friday, October 28th, 2011 on Liberty Island, during the main ceremony - which is set to last from 10am until 12pm.
The island is open to the public for an entire day of celebration. Ferry reservations should be made with Statue Cruises at statuecruises.com, with the first ferries from Battery Park in New York City and Liberty State Park in Jersey City to leave at 9:00 a.m. and continue to depart until 3:30 p.m. The last boat off both islands is at 5 p.m.
In addition to the performance of "Huddled Masses" the day of celebration for the 125th Anniversary will include a gun salute, FDNY Fireboat water spout display, a presentation of "Gifts of Friendship" to a representative of the French government, the ceremonial 'lighting' of the new 'torch webcam' that will showcase views of NY Harbor and the Statue from the vantage point of Lady Liberty's torch, and will conclude with a Macy's fireworks spectacular surrounding Liberty Island.
The choir from the Brooklyn High School of the Arts, located in Boerum Hill in Brooklyn, is the recipient of many honors including the 2009 Gold Medal and 2010 Gold Medal with Distinction' Level VI from the New York State School Music Association Festival, The Heritage Festival in Boston, Mass., and The National Chorale High School Choral Invitational, Region 8 Arts Festival.
Lewis Grosso can currently be seen on Broadway in MARY POPPINS as Michael Banks. Other credits include: Gavroche in LES MISERABLES, Michael Darling in PETER PAN and Giovanni in a workshop production of LIBERTY A MONUMENTAL NEW MUSICAL.
Esther Stilwell is currently making her Broadway debut in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT. Other credits include: Lady of the Lake in SPAMALOT (1st Nat'l Tour), Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Miss Sandra in ALL SHOOK UP, etc.
"Huddled Masses" was performed by recording artist and Broadway actress
Sasha Allen (HAIR) and the City Lights Youth Theatre at the crown re-opening at the Statue of Liberty National Monument on July 4th, 2009.
LIBERTY tells the story of America's most famous immigrant who arrives from France in 1884 amid anti-foreigner fervor. With powerful political forces working against her and only a precious few on her side, Liberty ultimately wins over the people of the United States and takes her rightful place of the pedestal. LIBERTY serves as a theatrical reminder not only of what this country was meant to become, but how we have, in recent years, lost sight of the "Golden Door."
LIBERTY: A Monumental New Musical is produced by Theresa Wozunk, has book and lyrics by
Dana Leslie Goldstein, music by Jon Goldstein, is directed by
Igor Goldin, with choreography by
Jeffry Denman, musical direction by
Jeffrey Lodin, set design by
Josh Zangen, costume design by
Olivera Gajic, lighting design by
Paul Miller and with Executive Producer/General Management by
R. Erin Craig/
La Vie Productions.
For more information on LIBERTY A Monumental New Musical, please visit
www.LibertyTheMusical.com.
