Tony-nominated Broadway stars Matthew Morrison (A Naked Girl on the Appian Way, The Light in the Piazza, Hairspray) and Susan Egan (Cabaret, Beauty and the Beast), along with Stephanie
J. Block (The Boy From Oz"and national tour of Wicked) have joined the
performing group "The Kids Next Door" from The California Conservatory
of the Arts in southern California to produce a new holiday CD
recording. The CD is entitled "Thankful", and all proceeds will benefit The Joyful Child
Foundation, in memory of Samantha Runnion. Morrison, Egan and Block will also be joined
by Broadway veteran's Kamilah Martin ("Rent" and "Hairspray"), Terron
Brooks ("The Lion King", "Grease" and "Hairspray"), and pop star Tony
Orlando (Barnum" and "Smokey Joe's Café")."The Joyful Child
Foundation was founded in the memory of Samantha Runnion, the little
girl who was kidnapped, sexually abused and murdered in Orange County,
California in 2002 and who made national news as 'America's Little
Girl.' In the spring of 2005 Samantha's murderer was convicted and
sentenced to the death penalty in California. The Foundation's mission
is to unite and uplift our nation's communities in the protection and
wonderment of all children," according to press notes.The Kids Next Door "are Southern
California's young song and dance ensemble, in residence
at the California Conservatory of the Arts. The school is a non-profit educational
institution which provides intensive training in the performing and
visual arts to talented young people, selected by audition, with
aspirations for careers in the arts. Morrison, Egan, Block, Martin and
Brooks are all alumni of The Kids Next Door.
The California
Conservatory of the Arts (CCA) specializes in training specific to the
Musical Theatre genre and boasts a faculty of Broadway veterans
including Jonelle Allen (Tony- nominated Best Actress; "Two Gentlemen
of Verona") and Teri Ralston ("Company", "A Little Night Music "and "The
Baker's Wife"). In addition to instruction, The Conservatory produces a
musical theatre season utilizing equity guests artists and in 2003
produced a nationally recognized production of Sondheim's Follies
which starred such Broadway luminaries as John Raitt (his final stage
performance), Julie Wilson, Kurt Peterson, Harvey Evans, Stephanie
Zimbalist, Betty Garrett (reprising her role from the Broadway
revival), Ralston and Allen working alongside the talented CCA
students. The CCA is a member of NAMT (National Alliance of Musical
Theatre) and a home for the development and "workshopping" of new
musicals."To order Thankful, or to hear sample tracks by
Morrison, Egan, Block, Martin, Brooks and Orlando, please visit the
California Conservatory of the Arts website at www.ccarts.net.
