Today, Rosie O'Donnell, the 13-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, television talk show host, author, film, television, and stage actress kicked off this year's Kids' Night on Broadway, the annual event during which young people ages 6 to 18 can attend a Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Ms. O'Donnell serves as this year's National Ambassador for Kids' Night.
Kids' Night on Broadway is the most popular audience development program of The Broadway League and carries the message that Broadway is an open and accessible experience for both kids and adults. In the 2006-2007 season, children and teens accounted for a record 1.42 million tickets sold in New York alone.
Twenty-five Broadway and Off-Broadway shows participating in Kids' Night, including: Altar Boyz, Avenue Q, Chicago, A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, Come Back Little Sheba, Curtains, The Fantasticks, The Farnsworth Invention, Grease, Hairspray, Is He Dead?, Legally Blonde The Musical, The Lion King, Disney's The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Spring Awakening, Stomp, Wicked, Xanadu, and The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein With the purchase of Kids' Night theatre tickets, families were offered free or discounted family fun including a Pre-Theater Fan Festival at Madame Tussauds New York on February 5. The Fan Festival commenced at 3PM, and afforded young people the opportunity to experience how live theatre is created through special activities hosted by the cast and crew of participating shows. Some activities for the Madame Tussauds' event included special theatrical makeup stations, Broadway dance lessons, karaoke, and many other unique theatre activities. Many Broadway stars were on hand to sign autographs in Autograph Alley and Fans were invited to tour Madame Tussauds for free.Photos by Peter James
Zielinski
Madame Tussaud's
Rosie's Broadway Kids
Executive Director of the Broadway League Charlotte St. Martin
General Manager for Madame Tussaud's New York Janine DiGioacchino
Janine DiGioacchino, Rosie O'Donnell and Charlotte St. Martin
Rosie O'Donnell introduces Rosie's Broadway Kids
The kids descend the stairs and surround Rosie
The children perform
Rosie O'Donnell and Rosie's Broadway Kids
Rosie O'Donnell and Rosie's Broadway Kids
An artist applies theatrical make-up
A child getes Wicked-ized
Catriona Stevens and Tammy McNeill help guests accessorize Xanadu style
Kenita Miller, master of accessories
Kenita Miller
Cast members of A Chorus Line teach choreography
Emily Fletcher, Paul McGill, and Bryan Knowlton
Emily Fletcher, Paul McGill, and Bryan Knowlton
Emily Fletcher and Paul McGill
Cast members of A Chorus Line teach choreography
Altar Boyz' Ryan J. Ratliff
Chicago's Donna Marie Asbury sings karaoke with a guest
Donna Marie Asbury and friend sing "Summer Nights"
Donna Marie Asbury and friend sing "Summer Nights"
Donna Marie Asbury and friend sing "Summer Nights"
Bernard Dotson and Donna Marie Asbury act as American Idol judges for karaoke
Bernard Dotson and Donna Marie Asbury
Casts from various Broadway shows sign autographs
Kids' Night on Broadway National Ambassador Rosie O'Donnell
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