New Year's Eve At The PGA Arts Center Will Celebrate Broadway!

Top South Florida Broadway and cabaret performers Avery Sommers, John Lariviere, Melissa Boher Jacobson, and Michelle Petrucci will be joined by five talented stars of the future from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts to ring in - and sing in - 2018 at the PGA Arts Center in Palm Beach Gardens. There will be two performances on December 31st - the first at 7 pm, and the second at 9:30 pm.

The show's concept - mixing seasoned professional performers with young up-and-coming talent, was conceived and developed by local producer and playwright Alan Jacobson.

"I chose the 'pros' based on talent and their ability to relate to an audience in a concert/cabaret environment, so there will be a great rapport with the audience," Jacobson explains. "And I chose to include Dreyfoos students because the general public doesn't typically have the opportunity to see the level of talent that young people have, and these students, all pursuing musical theatre, are the stars of tomorrow."

The evening will be unique in that some of the show's musical selections were decided upon by the performers themselves:

"I asked everyone to provide me with a list of songs they're solid and comfortable with," Jacobson explains. "And I'm putting the show together based on their lists, as well as the songs I feel will resonate best with our audience, and show each performer off at his or her best. I've also come up with a few numbers they may not know as well - for duets, trios, and of course, the finale.

"There will be lots of terrific singing and dancing, and we're providing Michelle Petrucci the opportunity to dance with her students - a first!" he says. Petrucci, a graduate of the Boston Conservatory, is a dancer/choreographer with extensive theatrical experience. She is currently the Dean of the award-winning Theatre Program at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts.

The Dreyfoos students selected to perform are Darah Abrams, Emily Betts, Eli Jacobson, Jacquez Linder-Long, and Maddy Stillman.

"The show's focus is Broadway," Jacobson continues, "With well-known songs as well as a few lesser known but still terrific ones sprinkled in. It will definitely be a song and dance champagne celebration... packed with great talent, great music, and great fun!"

Avery Sommers appeared on Broadway in Ain't Misbehavin', Show Boat, Chicago, and Platinum, and in the national tours of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Ann-Margret, and Chicago with Chita Rivera and Joel Grey. Avery was also seen in Regina Taylor's Crowns at City Theatre in Pittsburgh, and Hairspray at Actors' Playhouse.

John Lariviere is a cabaret, concert, and jazz singer regularly headlining throughout South Florida in local theatres and clubs. He specializes in music from Broadway and the American Songbook, crossing over into jazz and swing, as well as classical and operetta.

Melissa Boher Jacobson is a professional performer, director and producer, musical director as well as a busy vocal, audition and public speaking coach. She is an Artist-in-Residence Vocal Instructor for the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Theatre Department, and the former Director of Education for the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Conservatory. She has appeared throughout the country and Off Broadway in opera, musical theatre and in concert.

The PGA Arts Center is located at 4076 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. Ample parking is available within close proximity to the theatre.

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