Kate Fahrner & Tally Sessions to Lead Ridgefield Playhouse's KILTY'S REVOLT Reading, 10/7

Top talent from Broadway will be coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Monday, October 7, at 7:30 p.m. in a concert reading of Ridgefielder Adam Safir's new musical Kilty's Revolt, to benefit A Better Chance (ABC) in Ridgefield. Tally Sessions, featured in the new Broadway Play Big Fish, brings his powerful high baritone to the lead role of Revolutionary War era indentured servant Kilty. Kate Fahrner, who plays Glynda inthe blockbuster Wicked, will display comic and tragic versatility as his brash and puckish lover Elizabeth. Proceeds from this event will help support the seven extraordinary young women from the East Coast who attend Ridgefield High School and revel in all the town has to offer through A Better Chance. This event is part of the Ridgefield Magazine Broadway and Cabaret Series. Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special prix-fixe menu before the show when tickets are presented; reservations suggested. This event is sponsored by Ridgefield Magazine with media sponsor WMNR Fine Arts Radio.

Founded in 1963, A Better Chance has opened doors to educational opportunities for thousands of young people of color across the nation, substantially increasing the number of well-educated young people who acquire the life skills they need to rise to positions of responsibility and leadership in America. The Ridgefield chapter of ABC has graduated 38 scholars who have advanced to some of the nation?s leading schools and companies.

Joining Mr. Sessions and Ms. Fahrner are Vern Mitchell, Aric Mutchnick, Andrew Fetherolf and Wayne Leiss who portray the brave and complex slaves, soldiers and privateers who accompany Kilty in his adventures, with actors Jonathan Horvath, John Napolitano and Ric Perkins portraying the Loyalists who have much to lose in the War for Independence.

Director and fellow Ridgefielder Michael Alltop brings a wealth of theatrical experience to the project, including years assisting the development of new musicals for Theatreworks/USA in New York. Sarah Heinzmann leads a talented choral ensemble of young Ridgefielders who portray soldiers and tavern ladies. The band includes musicians from New York and Connecticut who have donated their time and talents. "I'm thrilled to see this come together with this level of talent - Broadway and local," remarked Adam Safir, who wrote Kilty's Revolt. "The goal here is to raise as much as we can for the ABC Program as it creates life-changing opportunities for young scholars. I think the performance is going to entertain and surprise both those who know the basics of the Revolution and the buffs."

"One of the most exciting moments in the development of a new musical is when the audience first gets to experience the work," says Director Michael Alltop. "Combining a fundraiser for ABC with a first look at Adam?s musical really adds to the overall importance of this project."

"We're excited for this," commented ABC treasurer and member of the Board of Directors Kelby Edwards. "A Better Chance in Ridgefield is in its 27th year and fundraisers like this are what we need to keep it going strong."

For tickets ($76, $176 includes VIP Meet & Greet), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. For corporate sponsorship opportunities, call Adam Safir at 917-536-0370. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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