Broadway Takes Center Stage At Westport Playhouse Tonight

Westport Country Playhouse will host a list of accomplished Broadway performers tonight for third annual benefit gala, Broadway Sings, benefiting the resident conservatory of the Playhouse, Broadway Method Academy (BMA).

BMA is a non-profit musical theater-training program where young artists are linked with working Broadway professionals, both in the classroom and on-stage. The academy serves as the official education program to Westport Country Playhouse. Broadway Sings is an annual fundraiser to support the diverse line-up of programs BMA offers, as well as their scholarship foundation.

Executive Director of the organization, Connor Deane says incredible talents from Broadway and beyond will team up with over 40 students of Broadway Method Academy to present a one-night only concert.

Last evening, Honorary Chairman of the gala, Broadway legend, Richard Jay-Alexander hosted a masterclass for the students of BMA. He taught shared highlights of his incredible career and passed on a few words of wisdom for those aspiring to live a life in the industry. In a previous statement Jay-Alexander said, "I'm thrilled to be joining the BMA family," said Jay-Alexander, "fostering young talent has always been a passion of mine. In fact, I first met BMA Executive Director, Connor Deane, when I cast him in my production of Les Miserables at The Muny in St. Louis. He was just a junior in college at the time. Being a part of something he's created, five years later, is truly special for me." Richard Jay-Alexander will take part in the gala tonight and help raise money for the non-profit.

Taking the stage tonight are an incredibly talented group of Broadway performers. This year will feature Alaina Mills (Beautiful), Blaine Krauss (Great Comet, The Lion King), Noah Ricketts (Frozen, Beautiful), Kathryn Boswell (Anastasia, Gigi), Todd Buonopane (Cinderella, Spelling Bee), Giovanni Bonaventura (Hello Dolly!, Wicked), Josh Daniel (Book of Mormon), Christine Smith (Cats), Bret Shufford (Paramour, Little Mermaid, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Stephen Hanna (Hello Dolly!) Chris Rice (Book of Mormon), Lauren Sprague (Cinderella), Victoria Cook (Into the Woods), Josh Tolle (Kinky Boots), Matt Denksy (The Grinch), & Matt Amira (Dirty Dancing).

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction at 6:00 pm featuring incredible items like Hamilton, Frozen and Mean Girls tickets. The silent auction will be followed by the performance. Tickets are still available via the Westport Country Playhouse box office.

Broadway Sings is Co-Chaired by Kathie Donahue and Helen Prial Snyder. J. Scott Handley serves as Music Director and Audra Bryant choreographs with additional choreography by BMA's Artistic Director, Julie Kavanagh.

For more information on the gala, please visit BMA's website at www.broadwaymethodacademy.org

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