VOLLEYGIRLS Benefit for It Gets Better Project, Hosted by Susan Blackwell, Set for 54 Below, 7/30

Chicago Fire's Monica Raymund of Sisu Theatrical Productions, LLC, Jacob Harvey of Cave 76 Productions, LLC and Jordi Coats present a cabaret-style concert of VOLLEYGIRLS, which will include tunes from the breakout hit from the 2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival, as well as, revisit some old fan favorites from earlier incarnations. The concert, hosted by Susan Blackwell ([title of show]), will benefit the It Gets Better Project at 54 BELOW (254 West 54th Street), Broadways premier Supper Club on Wednesday, July 30th at 9:30pm. Tickets range from $30-$55 with proceeds going to benefit the It Get's Better Project plus $25 food and beverage minimum, are available at www.54Below.com.

"VOLLEYGIRLS is a musical that fights for the power of good and encourages every young person whether gay or straight, jock or nerd, to be who you are and stay true to yourself," says Harvey. "We are proud to continue using our art to fight for equality and tolerance. It Gets Better Project helps saves the lives of young men and women who are struggling to find and accept their own individuality," says Raymund who is a longtime supporter of the It Gets Better Project and wrote about it as a guest columnist for Huffington Post in 2011: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/monica-raymund/making-a-better-holiday_b_1124272.html

As one of Huffington Post's Best Shows of 2013, the "heartwarming" (Theatermania) VOLLEYGIRLS, which starred Blackwell, called "a winning spike" by The New York Times, took home top honors from the NYMF awards for excellence, including the Best of Fest audience choice award, Outstanding Ensemble Award and the coveted most Promising New Musical Award-winning musical plus the New World Stages development prize. Blackwell played Kim Brindell, a disgraced Olympian coaching an oddball team of high-school volleyball players in this girl-powered musical VOLLEYGIRLS with book by Rob Ackerman (Tabletop - 2001 Drama Desk), lyrics by Sam Forman (Sleepless in Seattle, book for F#%king Up Everything), music by Eli Bolin (Found, I Sing, Roller Boogie, TV: Sesame Street), choreographed by Ryan Kasprazak (TV: Smash Tour, Billy Elliot) and directed by Neil Patrick Stewart (LA theatre: The Elephant Man - Ovation Award nominations). www.volleygirlsthemusical.com

In addition to Blackwell, the 54 BELOW performance will feature Krysta Rodriguez (First Date, TV: Smash), Eric Michael Gillett (Kiss Me Kate), PJ Adzima, Benjamin Howes ([title of show] and Scandalous), Jennifer C. Johnson, Julia Knitel (Bye Bye Birdie), Gerianne Perez, Allison Posner, Dana Steingold (Calvin Berger and Bubble Boy),Allison Strong (Bye Bye Birdie), and MORE! The concert is directed by Neil Patrick Stewart and general mangaged by Jordi Coats. The "Sweat" Band will feature Mike Pettry, Eric Davis, Brendan O'Grady, and Alex Wyatt with musical direction by composer Eli Bolin.

VOLLEYGIRLS plays 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 at 9:30pm. Tickets range from $30-$55 with proceeds going to benefit the It Get's Better Project plus $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.

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