Groff & Bruno Join List of Performers for 'NORTH SHORE' Benefit at Joe's Pub

Tony Award-nominated actor Jonathan Groff and Daytime Emmy-nominated actress Mandy Bruno have joined the growing list of North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) alumni from Broadway and members of the television community to support the financially struggling musical theatre-in-the-round at events in New York City next week.

"Broadway Sings for North Shore Music Theatre" performances will be held at Joe's Pub located at 425 Lafayette Street on Monday, February 9th at 11:30pm (tickets are $30; purchase at www.joespub.com), and at The Theatre at Saint Peters, home of The York Theatre Company, located at 54th Street just east of Lexington, at 8pm (tickets are $40 and can be purchased at the NSMT website: www.nsmt.org).

Also scheduled to appear at "Broadway Sings for North Shore Music Theatre" are Robert Newman from CBS' Guiding Light, Broadway performer Aaron Lazar, and many others. Also new to the line up are Sarah Stiles and Nicholas Rodriguez. The complete list of performers and scheduled appearances are:

Scheduled to appear both nights -
Robert Newman
Devin Richards
Sarah Stiles
Addi McDaniel
David Nathan Perlow
Emily Walton
Mitch Dean
Carla Duren
Benjamin Mapp
Dana Steingold
Chris Williams

Kate Rockwell

Scheduled to appear Monday at Joe's Pub-
Jonathan Groff
Bob Walton
Jim Walton
Jim Stanek
David Larsen
Kate Rockwell
Michael Kadin Craig
Brian Usifer and members of the NSMT Orchestra
Karen Nascembeni (singer from Mass.)

Scheduled to appear Tuesday at The Theatre at Saint Peters -
Aaron Lazar

Mandy Bruno

Jacquelyn Piro Donovan
Sally Wilfert
Nicholas Rodriguez
Teri Dale Hansen
Molly Ephraim
Melissa Lone

Kate Baldwin

A silent auction of items including Broadway show tickets and theater memorabilia will also be held on Tuesday night.

"I am overwhelmed by this outpouring of support from the New York entertainment community and sincerely appreciate the commitment of time and talent of all these performers," says Barry Ivan, NSMT artistic director and executive producer. "These entertaining events will raise important funds to help secure the future of North Shore Music Theatre, a cultural treasure that has been dedicated to presenting and preserving the art of American musical theatre for more than 50 years."

In December, NSMT announced that without immediate philanthropic support it would close its doors after nearly 55 years of providing performing arts and educational programming to millions. Faced with the reality of the current economic crisis, 57 employees were let go in January. Proceeds from "Broadway Sings for North Shore Music Theatre" will go toward resurrecting the area's most unique and intimate theatre. For more information, please visit www.nsmt.org.

Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 350,000 patrons annually. NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. NSMT has received numerous industry awards including IRNE Awards, the Elliot Norton Award, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and the Moss Hart Award. NSMT annually produces a six musical subscription series and an acclaimed concert series. With its celebrated Theater for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region's leading providers of theater arts and education.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.