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HANDS ON A HARDBODY's Jay Armstrong Johnson and Allison Case Join broadwayUNLOCKED Benefit, 4/22

By: Apr. 19, 2013
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broadwayUNLOCKED will present a special performance of "I'm Gone" from the Broadway musical HANDS ON A HARDBODY. Allison Case and Jay Armstrong Johnson will perform the song in anticipation of Ghostlight Records' upcoming Original Broadway Cast Recording, which will be recorded next month and released in June 2013. Broadway's Andrew Keenan Bolger and other outstanding artists from the worlds of Broadway, television, film and other mediums will come together on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 7:30 PM for the third annual broadwayUNLOCKED (formerly known as "The Bridge"), a benefit concert celebrating the work of the Crime Victims Treatment Center (CVTC) of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. The event will take place at WNYC / New York Public Radio's The Greene Space (44 Charlton St. at Varick).

Performers will include Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Tuck Everlasting, Newsies, Submissions Only), Taylor Trensch (Matilda, Bare), Drama Desk nominees Nathan Tysen & Chris Miller (Tuck Everlasting, Fugitive Songs) and morE. Douglas Lyons and Ethan Pakchar (The Book of Mormon) will make their songwriting debuts with a new number, performed by Mykal Kilgore (Hair, The Book of Mormon) and Raena White (Martin: A New American Musical with Charles Strouse, Dreamgirls). 5J Barrow will serve as the House Band for the evening with Jason Hite (Bare), Eryn Murman (Spring Awakening) and Eric Namaky.

broadwayUNLOCKED originally debuted as "The Bridge" and was founded by two best friends, Jessica Ryan and Avery Ragsdale. As a survivor who sought treatment at the CVTC, Avery wanted to give back to the program that helped him heal so that they can continue their remarkable work of empowering survivors of violent crimes. When Jessica - an actor, producer and writer - came on board to help, together they raised over $50,000 in unrestricted funds for the CVTC with the assistance of artists like Logan Marshall Green, Craig Lucas, Melissa Errico, Chad Kimball, Zachary Booth and more.

In addition to raising funds, broadwayUNLOCKED seeks to provide the artistic community around the world access to their favorite performers via the latest in broadcasting technology.

And so, broadwayUNLOCKED was born: Broadway's first crowdfunded concert with a twist - The concert will be webcast live from NYC and everyone who donates gets to attend. The crowdfunding campaign runs from March 21 to April 21 on IndieGoGo and seeks to raise $6,500 to cover the costs of the concert. Crowdfunding rewards will include exclusive UNLOCKS like the broadwayUNLOCKED Vlog Series, Community Producing decisions, and special opportunities to interact at the concert. With the help of crowdfunding, private, corporate and individual donations, 100% of the proceeds for will go directly to the CVTC, allowing the center to continue to provide services free of charge.

Campaign rewards include a log-in to view the concert ($10), a copy of 5J Barrow's EP ($25), an opportunity to log in online for a special closed dress rehearsal ($100) and a ticket to see the live show ($225). In addition, online donors giving $225 or more have the opportunity to donate their ticket to a survivor who has received treatment at the CVTC.

In 2012, the Crime Victims Treatment Center provided 7,439 individual therapy sessions to 1,141 survivors, free of charge; the program is hopeful that donations from this benefit will allow them to expand these numbers to offer services to an even greater number of survivors in need.

Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations, will once again co-sponsor the event.

The broadwayUNLOCKED Vlog series is hosted by actor and comedian Jimmy Callahan, and actors Jermaine Blackwell and Jessica Ryan. The Vlogs will feature Jeremy Jordan ("Smash," Newsies), Nathan Tysen & Chris Miller (Tuck Everlasting, Fugitive Songs), Morgan Karr (Spring Awakening), Colleen Ballinger (Miranda Sings) and more.

"We're so proud and excited that the support we've received in past years from talented and dedicated performers continues! This year we will be able to reach out to thousands across the country, broadening our community and inviting anyone to be a part of helping survivors heal," said Susan Xenarios, Director of the Crime Victims Treatment Center. "This is a celebration of recovery and transformation and we are thrilled to know that through this concert, our mission will reach anyone who chooses to be touched by it. At a time when traditional funding has been greatly diminished, the funds received through this benefit are desperately needed to continue providing the high quality of care we offer to survivors of violence."

Ticket prices are $225 and include open bar, hors d'ouevres from Agave and reserved seating for the concert. All proceeds for broadwayUNLOCKED will benefit CVTC. The event is open to the public. To purchase tickets and/or make a monetary contribution, please visit the event website at: www.broadwayUNLOCKED.com



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