Unity Center for Practical Spirituality Presents Hear Our Song 4/8

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality is proud to present an upcoming musical extravaganza: 'Hear Our Song,' to be held at the Norwalk City Hall, Concert Hall at 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, on Friday April 8, 2011 at 8 pm. The show will feature Cabaret and Broadway numbers performed by a roster of talented national and local musical celebrities from Broadway, TV, Cabaret and film. All performers are members and friends of Unity Center and a portion of the event's proceeds will go to support Norwalk Hospital's Whittingham Cancer Center and The Domestic Violence Center. The event is sponsored by Dr. Garrett H. Bennett, facial plastic and sinus surgeon in Manhattan and B. J. Ryan's Restaurant of Norwalk, CT.

"We have a lot of talent in our spiritual community and we really wanted to share that, as well as our philosophy for positive living, with a wider audience," says Reverend Shawn Moninger, Unity's minister.

'Hear our Song's' line-up will feature 16 performers and includes actress, singer, dancer/performer - Lucie Arnaz; Broadway/film actor and singer - Laurence Luckinbill; film/theatre composer, lyricist and conductor of scores for Disney blockbusters like 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin,' 'Pocahontas,' 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and more - David Friedman; Broadway/Cabaret Performer Raissa Katona-Bennett; Broadway songstress Rosemary Loar; prominent blues/rock singer Lina Koutrakos; New York City Cabaret director/performer Scott Coulter; New York City music director/performer Kenneth Gartman; Cabaret performer Nancy Timpanaro-Hogan; Dr. Garrett Bennett, Christina Connors, Bobbie Horowitz, Roger Mapes, Don Martocchio, Valeria Roncoli, and Wayne Timpanaro-Hogan. The program will include solos, group numbers, duets and a finale with all performers.

Unity Center for Practical Spirituality has been located at 3 Main St. in Norwalk since 1991. The Center holds a Sunday Celebration service as well as a wide variety of daytime and evening workshops and classes throughout the week. Reverend Moninger describes Unity's message as "a spiritual philosophy for positive living."

"We're promoting a new way of thinking," he explains. "That people are good and have always been good." And Unity members are unabashed in their endorsement of the Center's teachings.
"Everything that Unity Center provides, has, quite literally, changed the way I live my life," says Lucie Arnaz. "I have TOOLS now that I never had before to help me approach each circumstance with gratitude and have learned to experience and use my feelings to mature, emotionally and spiritually."
David Friedman notes; "Being part of Unity has changed my whole life by giving me access to internal joy and peace and a sense of safety and possibility no matter what's going on. I am participating in this concert not only to let the entire community know that this wonderful resource is available to everyone, but to give people a taste of the joy and the talent that exists within the Unity Community."
The entire congregation is excited about their upcoming event and happy to be able to share their musical talents while giving back to the community.
"We look forward to seeing everyone who loves Cabaret and Broadway music, live music and some great New York City musical talent," says Rev Moninger.

For more information, contact Rev. Shawn Moninger at 203.855.7922 or visit
www.unitycenterps.org
For tickets, call the box office line at 203.866.7004

REV. Shawn Moninger, MINISTER - Rev. Shawn is an ordained Unity Minister. He has been the Senior Minister at Unity Center for Practical Spirituality since September 2004. Rev. Shawn is the founding President of The Unity Church of New York in New York City. He began his spiritual journey in earnest ten years ago after a twelve year career as a lighting and sound designer in New York nightclubs. He has won four MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) and a Backstage Bistro Award all for outstanding Technical Direction. To top it all off, three years ago he began performing stand-up comedy for which he was nominated for a MAC Award. (Becoming a minister was the only thing left to do after that.)

Lucie Arnaz has starred on the Broadway stage in THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, LOST IN YONKERS, GRACE AND GLORIE and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS; in First National companies of SEESAW, WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?, SOCIAL SECURITY, and MY ONE AND ONLY; and in the London premiere of WITCHES OF EASTWICK.

She has appeared on television in THE Lucie Arnaz SHOW, SONS AND DAUGHTERS, THE BLACK DAHLIA, THE MATING SEASON, WASHINGTON MISTRESS, and HERE'S LUCY; on the big screen in THE JAZZ SINGER, DOWN TO YOU, SECOND THOUGHTS and BILLY JACK GOES TO WASHINGTON.

Lucie was Executive Producer of the I LOVE LUCY 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL and LUCY & DESI: A HOME MOVIE. She produced two CD-ROMS, and recorded two albums, JUST IN TIME and LATIN ROOTS. She also travels the lecture circuit.

Lucie currently serves on the Board of Directors of The American Theatre Wing. With her brother, Desi, she manages Desilu, too, LLC. With her husband, actor-writer Laurence Luckinbill, she manages five children. Lucie invites you to visit her online at WWW.LUCIEARNAZ.COM.

Laurence Luckinbill has been writing and acting in his own award-winning solo performances portraying four great Americans -- LynDon Johnson, Clarence Darrow, Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway -- for almost two decades. In his fifty plus year career, Mr. Luckinbill has starred on Broadway, off-Broadway, in television and in movies. He has been awarded an Emmy Award, a Critic's Choice Circle Award, a Silver Gavel Award, as well as a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award nomination. In 2007, he was inducted into the Arkansas Entertainer's Hall of Fame. Despite all those accolades, he feels his best work has been in the off-off-off Broadway theatre of family -- starring his wife of thirty years, Lucie Arnaz, and his five children -- Nick, Ben, Simon, Joe and Kate. Thank you, family...

David Friedman has written songs of inspiration, love and hope that take on new emotional meaning in these challenging times. With 5 Broadway shows, his own Off Broadway Show , 8 Disney Films, 3 television series and recordings by such artists as Diana Ross, Barry Manilow and Nancy Lamott to his credit, David has, in recent years, come to realize that his true mission in life is to help heal and enlighten people in whatever ways he can. With this in mind, David recently wrote a book entitled The Thought Exchange -Overcoming Our Resistance to Living a Sensational Life, and spends a great deal of time traveling around the country lecturing, giving concerts and teaching Thought Exchange principles in workshops and private sessions.

Scott Coulter (Director/Performer) is widely regarded as one of NY's top male vocalists. For his work in cabaret, he has received four MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs), four Bistro Awards and two Nightlife Awards. TimeOut NY picked his show, "Unexpected Songs," as one of the 'Best of 1999'. His self-titled debut CD won the 2003 MAC Award for Outstanding Recording and was chosen as the best recording of the year by TheatreMania and Cabaret Scenes magazine. Scott toured the US as 'Jinx' in "Forever Plaid" and was in the world premiere of "Floyd Collins" directed by Tina Landau. He has appeared at NY's Town Hall in numerous editions of the popular "Broadway by the Year" series (BBTY) and can currently be heard on the Bayview recordings of those performances. Since 1997, Scott has performed around the country with award-winning songwriting duo Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich in their many revues and tours the world with Oscar and Grammy winning composer Stephen Schwartz along with Liz Callaway and Debbie Gravitte in the revue "Stephen Schwartz & Friends." He has taught master classes from Los Angeles to Kalamazoo to Riga, Latvia and is creator of his own unique group vocal coaching series called "Songbook." As a director his credits include many shows for The Town Hall in NY (Broadway by the Year, Broadway's Rising Stars, Broadway Originals, Broadway Unplugged) and BBTY at The Berkshire Theatre Festival. Along with Michael Kerker and ASCAP, he's produced several installments of Michael Feinstein's "Standard Time" at Canegie Hall. Scott is co-founder/owner of Spot-On Entertainment (www.Spot-OnEntertainmnet.com) and is a graduate of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Kenneth Gartman (Music Director/Performer) - Kenneth most recently music directed a reading of Once Removed, a new musical with music by Graham Russell of Air Supply. Kenneth music directed two shows in the New York Musical Theatre Festival: Show Choir! the Musical (2010) and Bryan Putnam's The ToyMaker (2009) as well as two prior readings and demo recording for The ToyMaker, featuring Christiane Noll (Ragtime) and Zachary James (The Addams Family). Award-winning FringeNYC production of Trouble in Shameland, starring Evita's Florence Lacey and subsequent cast recording. Demo for the new musical Welcome to Shoofly. Kenneth has performed as a singer/actor throughout Ireland in Side by Side by Sondheim, Simply Sondheim LIVE! (BBC Broadcast), and A New York Songbook: Way Off Broadway. For more information, visit www.KennethGartman.com

Raissa Katona Bennett: On Broadway, Raissa performed the leading role of "Christine Daae" in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, as well as in the Los Angeles and National Touring Companies of PHANTOM. Also on Broadway, Raissa appeared in the Actor's Fund Benefit Concert of CHESS with Josh Groban. She appeared in the First National Tours of CATS as "Jellylorum/Griddlebone" and "Jennyanydots", and as "Lizzie Phagan" in PARADE, where she worked with the original creative team of director Harold Prince, choreographer Patricia Birch, author Alfred Uhry, and composer Jason Robert Brown. As an original cast member of SAVIN' AIMEE, Raissa worked with creators: Kathie Lee Gifford, David Friedman, and David Pomeranz.

As a cabaret performer, Raissa received the 2010 Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement as the creator, producer and host of THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS, which is dedicated to preserving the green spaces of NYC, while introducing a whole new audience to the artists of the cabaret and theater communities. She was also a 2009 MAC Award nominee as Outstanding Female Vocalist, and she has received critical acclaim for her performances at Feinsteins, the Metropolitan Room, Iridium, Supper Club, The Rainbow Room, 88's, Don't Tell Mama, Chita's, The Algonquin, and Radio City Music Hall. She has soloed with many symphony orchestras and was guest soloist at the estate of the legendary Cal Ripken, Jr. She was featured at the Lincoln Center Barnes and Noble in their Any Wednesday series, performing selections from her first CD, WHAT I WAS DREAMING OF.

Raissa is married to Facial Plastic Surgeon, Garrett H. Bennett, M.D. , and they make their happy home in NYC with their two tiny rescue dogs, Brandy and Otie.

Rosemary Loar - Rosemary's Broadway debut, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, provided her a perfect introduction to theatrical comedy. Her first Broadway show was followed by National Tours of GODSPELL and 42ND STREET, ENCORE, the celebratory tribute to Radio City Music Hall, and a spot on an HBO television special starring Mary Martin and Ethel Merman. Subsequent Broadway shows include CATS (critically acclaimed for the role of Grizabella), CHESS, SUNSET BOULEVARD with Glenn Close, and the hit revival of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS starring Sarah Jessica Parker. She was awarded a Phoebe Award for her portrayal of Ivy Rowe in the original musical, FAIR AND TENDER LADIES. Rosemary also created the role of Gladys Fritts in the off-Broadway musical, RADIO GALS. She was featured in the Drama Desk nominated ensemble piece THE AUDIENCE. Most recently Ms. Loar played Grandma Who in the national tour or THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS. She was featured in the indie film THE QUERY and Dorothy Parker film THE SEXES. Rosemary can be heard on the cast albums of CHESS, SUNSET BOULEVARD, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and of the movie, THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE.

Rosemary is also no stranger to the concert stage. She was the featured vocalist for the PBS-TV production, NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH Guy Lombardo, which was a staple of the winter holiday season for 4 years. She performed at Town Hall with Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion and at Carnegie Hall (concert version of the Broadway show Chess). She was a featured soloist for the prestigious Lyrics and Lyricist series at the New York City 92nd Street YMCA. Ms Loar has sung with the North Carolina, Orlando, Nelson Riddle and Peter Duchin Orchestras. Internationally she performed The Andrew Lloyd Webber Tribute in Sardina, Italy and Berlin, Germany.

Ms. Loar has been a cabaret artist for over 20 years. She has sung in New York City at Birdland, The Iridium, The Metropolitan Room, The Laurie Beechman Theater, Town Hall (as part of the Cabaret Convention), Symphony Space, Upstairs at Sardi's with the Joe Traina Quintet (tribute shows to Arlen, Van Heusen and Gershwin), Hotel Pierre (tribute show to Kander and Ebb) in LA at the Gardenia, Luna Lounge and MBar, in Chicago at The Tambourine Room and last summer she made her German cabaret debut in Munich at Roy's. Rosemary released her debut jazz/cabaret CD, The Quando Swing in December 2008.

Rosemary is a playwright and has written the libretto for WATER FROM THE MOON and SPOOLIE GIRL. She is also a rock/pop composer and has released 4 CD's of her original music on the Atlor Music label. For more info go to www.rosemaryloar.com

Lina Koutrakos - As singer/songwriter and pop/rock Diva in New York City, Koutrakos fronts her own Southern Rock band "The Low Country" and has played to sold out rooms throughout Manhattan and to rave reviews in all of its major publications. Splitting her singing time as an award winning Cabaret singer Lina has sung in New York, Chicago, L.A. Las Vegas, Paris and beyond!
Her song "Bury Me Deep" holds the award in the Gospel/Inspiration category from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest 2009. Her original material has been heard on national TV, her speaking voice on many commercials (one of which was awarded the Cleo Award) and her singing voice as the theme song for the HBO winning Documentary "Telling Nicholas".
Lina Koutrakos was awarded Best Artist of the Year from the Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs. She is also the recipient of The Backstage Bistro Award, Paris's Petite Piaf and the Village Voice Awards all for Best Female Vocalist over the past decade. Lina was in the Off-Broadway production of Tony & Tina's Wedding in New York City for 2 years and had a great time playing Sister Robert Anne in a production of Nunsense!

Nancy Timpanaro-HOGAN is a two time Manhattan Association of Cabaret & Clubs MAC Award Winner for Outstanding Musical Comedy Performer and a four time Backstage Bistro Award Winner for Best Female Vocalist and Best Musical Comedy Performer. Nancy co-hosted Manhattan Cable TV's CABARET BEAT for three years. Her nightclub act has received rave reviews from the New York Times, New York Post and the New York Daily News. Audiences have howled at her escapades as the "Mother of the Bride" in the Off-Broadway sensation TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING and GRAND SLAM for which she won the MAC . Nancy has also appeared in a variety of roles in theaters throughout the United States including the Mabel Mercer SERIES at TOWN HALL. She is also the writer and star of the Off-Broadway critically-acclaimed one-woman original musical "ADORABLE ME! THE TOTIE FIELDS STORY" This original musical is based on the life of singer/comic Totie Fields. TOTIE debuted at the American Jewish Theatre. Nancy won the prestigious Backstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement/"Best Show" for this musical. Most recent credit Mama Rose in GYPSY at the Cohoes Music Hall and cabaret performances at the Fort Salem Theatre, Salem, NY. Check out her website for details: WWW.NANCYTIMPANAROHOGAN.COM.

ROGER ANTHONY YOLANDA MAPES - alien love child of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Louise Hay and John Waters, is an eccentric, ecstatic southern rock, country, gospel singer/songwriter and Interfaith Minister. With a soulful voice, spiritual outlook, great costumes, and a wicked sense of humor, his shows and CDs emphasize love, beautiful melodies, interesting stories, and a bit of inspiration. Roger is a standing inductee in The GLBT Hall of Fame for his artistic and activist achievements. His current CD House of Joy won three Pride In The Arts Awards in 2010 and currently is #1 in the Top 40 OutVoice music charts. Visit Rev. RoYo on the web at www.rogeranthonymapes.com

BOBBIE HOROWITZ - As a songwriter, in recent years she's been writing on her own and has collaborated with David Friedman and with John Meyer. She was half of the songwriting team Horowitz & Spector. They won a MAC Award for their act, "Whatever Happened To the Kids From Brooklyn". They also won First Prize in The Daily News Contest, and Honorable Mention in Billboard contests. Their country lyrics have appeared on albums produced by Carmel Records, Playback Records, Ridgewood Records and Canada's Boot Records. Their radio and TV appearances include The Joe Franklin TV Show, The Joey Adams Radio Show and Health Watch on WGBHTV. The latter was shown on American Airlines flights. Their songs were also featured on "Dr. Demento". Among those who've performed her songs are Chuck Cooper, David Vernon, Janice Hall, Richard Skipper, Diana Templeton, Sidney Myer, Sue Matsuki, Dana Lorge, Joan Crowe & David F. Slone. Her producing credits include: Drama Desk Awards, the critically acclaimed London and Florida productions of the musical, The Betrayal of Nora Blake, several Off Broadway shows and major events in the discos. She managed and booked the cabaret Silver Lining and founded The Times Square Group, a 501(c)3 arts-in-education company. She acted in over 35 NYC productions and regionally. Bobbie's book, "Find Your min-Qs(?)* Reveal the Slim, Strong, Sexy Star You Truly Are! at Age 50, 60, 70, and Beyond" was published in December 2010. She graduated from Cornell University and was certified in teaching by Columbia Teachers College.

Christina Connors (Producer/Performer) is a native of West Hartford, CT and graduated the Hartt School, University of Hartford, with a BA in Music Theater. A frequent performer with regional theaters while living in Florida, she toured her one-woman show, Journey To The Past, and was one of three women who lit up the stage in Florida's award-winning show, RESPECT. No stranger to the New York stage, in 2008 she captured audiences with her hit one-woman show, Home Is Where The Heart Is at Manhattan's Don't Tell Mama and The Duplex Cabaret Theatres. More recently Christina can be found on stage with Broadway's biggest stars raising money for local charities, including performing in the Only Make Believe foundation's 2010 gala benefit show at the renowned Shubert Theatre (hosted by Sir Ian McKellen).

DON MARTOCCHIO was recently seen as El Gallo in The Fantasticks , and as Nick in Maltby and Shire's Baby. Other credits include leading roles in A Little Night Music, She Loves Me as well as several Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas including Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore and The Mikado. Don attended in the Cabaret Conference at Yale in 2005 and has since performed in New York City at the Regency in his Midlife Crisis Cabaret and at the Metropolitan Room in Give Me a Voice. Don is honored to be among with this wonderful group of singers performing in support of Rev. Shawn and the Unity Center.

VALERIA RONCOLI is both an accomplished vocalist and an artist having exhibited through the US and Brazil. She has a Bachelor of Theater, Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master Degree from Paulista University -Brazil. Her love for Brazilian music began when she was a child and has allowed her the freedom to express vibrant colors the bossa nova, samba and traditional jazz standards, bringing new life and enthusiasm to songs for which we never tire.

 

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