Sara Jean Ford, Tyrick Wiltez Jones and NaTasha Yvette Williams Set for FPAC's BROADWAY ENCORE Tonight

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Broadway Encore tonight, May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Putnam Club, Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. FPAC's Gala fundraiser features Broadway headliners Sara Jean Ford, Tyrick Wiltez Jones and NaTasha Yvette Williams in an exclusive one-night-only show that brings the magic of 42^nd Street to Boston's MetroWest suburbs. The evening also features silent and live auctions, performances by Electric Youth and the Franklin Performing Arts Company, special guests and dancing until midnight with Boston's popular R&B band, Soul Kitchen.

Sara Jean Ford most recently appeared as Smitty in Broadway's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Other Broadway credits include the lead role of Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera, A Little Night Music and Finian's Rainbow. Off Broadway, Sara starred as Louisa in The Fantasticks and can be heard on the original revival cast recording. National tours include Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera. Regional credits include Candide (Cunagonde), Carousel (Carrie Pipperidge) and Little House on the Prairie - The Musical, where she originated the role of Nellie Oleson. Sara can be heard on Michael Jackson's HIStory album, Harry Connick Jr.'s When My Heart Finds Christmas, Finian's Rainbow revival cast recording and The Sweet Bye and Bye.

Tyrick Wiltez Jones' Broadway credits include Howard in Finian's Rainbow and Hairspray. National tours include Seussical, Fosse and Show Boat, with regional appearances in From My Hometown (Wilde Award), A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls and Chicago. Tyrick was a featured singer/dancer in PHISH's 2011 New Year's Eve concert at Madison Square Garden and a featured background singer in Mary Wilson of The Supremes Motown/Rock and Roll North American Tour. He performed in the US premiere of SacrEd Ellington starring Jessye Norman with the Carnegie Hall HONOR! series. Tyrick was the Assistant Choreographer on the film Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.

NaTasha Yvette Williams made her Broadway debut as Sofia in The Color Purple and most recently played the role of Catfish Row matriarch Mariah in the Broadway production of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. She was Mammy in Trevor Nunn's London West End production of Gone With the Wind. Additional stage credits include National Tours of All Shook Up, Cinderella, The Drowsy Chaperone, Parade, Seussical the Musical and Xanadu, as well as regional appearances in Mahalia, Hairspray and Ain't Misbehavin'. She has been a featured singer with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic and New York Pops. NaTasha was the first Kraft Foods New Voices of Gospel winner.

Broadway Encore will benefit Franklin Performing Arts Company's mission and support the development of a performance venue for expanded programming and outreach to the community. Founded in 1991, the Franklin Performing Arts Company is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, with a focus on live music and commitment to youth development. A distinctive suburban non-profit organization, FPAC presents quality performances while offering opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts to work together in a collaborative and creative environment. FPAC's annual season of shows includes main stage musicals, ballet, plays, concerts and free community presentations that draw performers and audiences from some fifty communities throughout the region.

For more information about the Franklin Performing Arts Company or to purchase tickets for Gala 2013, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fpaconline.com.

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