Photo Coverage: Rosie O'Donnell Announces KID'S NIGHT ON BROADWAY at Sardi's
By: Peter James Zielinski Nov. 11, 2008
Rosie O'Donnell, the award-winning comedian; television talk show host; author; and film, television, and stage actress will serve as the KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY National Ambassador for the second year in a row. To celebrate the launch Rosie and the Broadway League held a special press conference at Sardi's yesterday morning, Monday November 10th.
KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY is an audience development program created by The Broadway League to make theatre accessible, encourage theatre as a form of family entertainment, and build larger audiences for the future.
It was announced that the program will now be available all year round, where kids ages 6-18 can see a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of every month. Tickets for participating shows on February 3rd and 4th went on sale at noon today, and each event thereafter will go on sale two months prior to the event dates.
Ticket includes pre-theatre parties, restaurant discounts, parking discounts, Special Edition Kids' Playbill provided by Theatre Development Fund, educational programs in cooperation with Thru the Stage Door and Take it From the Top, Broadway fun and events, plus more.
"Last season saw the largest percentage of children and teenagers in the audience in the past thirty years," commented Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director, The Broadway League. "An intense theatrical experience, such as a thought-provoking play or entertaining musical can enrich lives and inspire positive change. Our audience development programs are vital to the future of Broadway, and to our country's future overall."
The 13th annual KIDS' NIGHT ON BROADWAY kicks off in New York City on February 3, 2009 with a pre-theatre party at Madame Tussauds New York. The party commences at 3:00pm and invites all Kids' Night ticket holders to experience unique theatre activities as well as the famous attraction for free! The pre-theatre event on February 4, 2009 will take place at Maravel Arts Center.
Rosie O'Donnell's dedication to enriching the lives of children through the arts is legendary. Her arts education organization, Rosie's Broadway Kids, uses professional teaching artists to offer classes in dance and music and provide a professional theatre experience for children who might otherwise not have the opportunity.
Rosie O'Donnell said, "My passion for the stage and dedication to arts education make it a special honor for me to be the National Ambassador for Kids' Night on Broadway again. With Broadway's fabulous participating shows and the new enhanced educational components of the program, our missions are in sync."
The Broadway League's first ever KIDS' ADVISORY BOARD will be an integral part of League programs focused around young audiences where kids will help develop and implement kid-oriented programs, events and online strategies.
Board members will be theatre going kids who love Broadway, ages 11 to 16 years old, who will serve a one-year term. Twenty kids selected to serve on the KIDS' ADVISORY BOARD will be chosen via an online essay contest judged by Broadway and education industry professionals. Kids nationwide can submit applications by going to KidsNightonBroadway.com. Essays are due December 1, 2008, and the Board will be announced at the kick-off event in New York City on February 3, 2009. Thru The Stage Door is managing this process and will begin accepting applications on November 10, 2009.
Kids' Night on Broadway is generously presented by The New York Times and is officially sponsored by Madame Tussauds New York. Additional support is provided by NBC4, Fresh 102.7, and Theatre Development Fund. Kids' Night on Broadway salutes Autism Speaks in helping to generate awareness for children with autism. Kids' Night on Broadway welcomes Visa, the preferred card of The Broadway League.
To purchase tickets, find more information or to view the list of discounted restaurants and parking garages, go to KidsNightonBroadway.com. Tickets can also be purchased via broadwayoffers.com or ticketmaster.com or at the individual theatre box offices. USE CODE KNOB09
Photos by Peter James Zielinsk
Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director, The BRoadway League
Rosie O'Donnell, Kids' Night on Broadway National Ambassador
Kids Advisory Board Chairs - Tareake, Nicole, and Henry
Tareake, Nicole, and Henry
Rosie Introduces Mary D.
Mary D. sings 'Be a Lion' from The Wiz
Rosie with Rosie's Broadway Kids
Rosie is presented with her own caricature
Suzanne Wright, Rosie O'Donnell, Chris Jackson, and Didi Conn
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