Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance, Way Off Broadway Host Benefit Concert for Local Student Tonight

The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance and The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre and Children's Theatre are teaming up to present a free benefit concert, A Magical Musical Adventure, tonight, July 2, 2013, at 7 pm, on the Knight Stage at Middletown High School. Twenty-eight local dancers ranging in age from 4 to 18 will perform together to raise money for TJ Rufty. The concert features many well-loved fairy tale characters and includes a variety of song-and-dance styles. There is no charge for admission. Free-will donations will be accepted at the door. During intermission a basket raffle will be held, which includes donations from many Middletown merchants in an effort to further help TJ.

TJ (Thomas James) Rufty is a Middletown High School graduate. Three weeks before his graduation, he fell severely ill and on May 11, was diagnosed with Burkett's lymphoma, a rare and aggressive subtype of Diffuse Large B-Cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was unable to attend his graduation due to his intense chemo treatments. His Mother, Debbie Haberkorn and his brother, William accepted his diploma on his behalf. He turned 19on June 7th , the same day he developed Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) and began dialysis. His mother, Debbie Haberkorn says, "It takes a village to raise a child and Middletown has been our village. We are thankful. Every day, T.J. teaches us that through all of life's tough challenges, we push forward, love unconditionally and appreciate all that we are blessed with. We take things day-by-day and try to prepare for anything. Words cannot express how grateful we are for your love, prayers and support. We look forward to paying it forward."

HOPE FOR TJ is supported by Patty Pollatos Fund, Inc,, and 100% of donations will go to PPF, Inc, to benefit TJ Rufty. PPF, Inc, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Performing in A Magical Musical Adventure, which was conceived by Dee Buchanan, will be Alyssa Augustine, McCauley Brown, Sam Buchanan, Taylor Bullen, Ally Caho, Melissa Charbonneau, Rebecca Charbonneau, Erin Cowan, Megan Drum, Kenzie DuMars, Lauren Edsall, Victoria Endicott, Cassidy Farrow, Colleen Gallagher, Macie Harrison, Emmy Hudak, Nastassia Kaleta, Zofia Kaleta, Bella Migdal, Marlowe Mock, Brynn Munger, Sydney Peters, Brigid Pugh, Natalie Stamper, Annabelle Tolley, Emmaline Tolley, Emma Watts, Madison Ways.

The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance, now in its 21st year, has been a part of Middletown since it first opened its doors. Under the direction of its founder, Dee Buchanan, and her staff, the studio offers classes year-round in a wide variety of styles including jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theatre, ballet, and more. Since its beginning, the studio has sought to provide its dancers with professional training in a friendly and encouraging environment. To learn more about The Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance, visit www.dbdance.com.

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre has been a leader in the region's performing arts community since it first opened in 1995. Under the direction of the Kiska Family since 2002, Way Off Broadway has produced such productions as A Funny Thing . . . Forum, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, Oklahoma!, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, The Odd Couple, A Chorus Line, Lend Me a Tenor, The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Evita, Cats, The Full Monty, South Pacific,Hairspray, and Legally Blonde, as well as the regional and/or area premieres of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl - The Musical, Jerry Herman's La Cage aux Folles, the musical comedy The Wedding Singer, Mel Brooks' The Producers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 - The Musical. Located along Route 40 West, the Golden Mile in Frederick, the theatre also produces a one-of-a-kind children's lunch theatre, as well as a number of special events throughout the year. To learn more about Way Off Broadway and its productions, visit www.wayoffbroadway.com.

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