Broadway Stars and Riverdale Talent Team Up for Benefit Concert BABY, Including Tim Ewing, 3/23

Broadway luminaries and Riverdale's most talented performers will join forces for a 30th Anniversary concert production of the rarely performed musical, BABY, featuring a 17-piece orchestra, to be performed at the Riverdale YM-YWHA on Sunday, March 23, 2014, at 7:30pm.

The honoree for this event is retiring Riverdale YM-YWHA Executive Director Marti Michael, whose steadfast support of the Y's theatre programs has ensured that the story could go on for 13 years - and counting - since the programs' inception in 2001.

This one-night only Gala event will benefit the theatre programs at the Riverdale Y, including the Riverdale Rising Stars scholarship fund, which will enable children and teens to participate in the organization's productions.

BABY will be performed at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, located at 5625 Arlington Avenue (just off of Riverdale Avenue and West 256th Street), in Riverdale, Bronx, NY. Tax-deductible tickets begin at $30 for general admission tickets; higher giving levels also include benefits like VIP seats, program ads, admission to the pre-show reception, and naming opportunities for the auditorium seats. General admission tickets may be purchased by visiting www.riverdaley.org/rrsgala2014, and benefactor packages and ads may be purchased by visiting www.riverdaley.org/rrsgala2014ads.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Is there anything more exciting, frightening and utterly transformational than impending parenthood? BABY examines how a trio of parents-to-be experience the emotional stresses and triumphs, as well as the desperate lows and the comic highs, that accompany the anticipation and arrival of a baby.

BABY tells the story of three couples on a university campus as they deal with the painful, rewarding and agonizingly funny consequences of this universal experience. There are the college students, barely at the beginning of their adult lives; the thirty-somethings, having trouble conceiving but determined to try; and the middle aged parents, looking forward to seeing their last child graduate from college when a night of unexpected passion lands them back where they started.

Riverdale Rising Stars Director of Performing Arts Laurie Walton (the Broadway revival of Show Boat) will appear in BABY, alongside Broadway veterans Stephen Berger (Kinky Boots), Tim Ewing (Mamma Mia!), Justin Keyes (Mary Poppins), Karyn Quackenbush (Annie Get Your Gun), Jim Stanek (Little Women), Emily Walton (Peter and the Starcatcher), and Jim Walton (Merrily We Roll Along).

The cast is rounded out by members of the Riverdale Y resident theatre companies. Joining the Broadway talent will be Rachel Abrams, Julian Bar-Ilan, Stella Berfas, Wylie Cohen, Lindsey Crowe, Jim DeBlasi, Patrick Dwyer, Leora Einleger, Yona Feit, Paul Geidel,Deborah Lupkin Gross, Elaine Helmrich, Mary Lahti, Leo Lopez, Noah Margolis, Timothy Mathis, Luz Montez, Ezra Mutnick, John Palacio, Marilyn Raider, Jenna Solomon, and Rachel Szpilka.

This concert production will be directed by Joe Ricci (The Purpose Project, The Panic Diaries), and the 17-piece orchestra will be led by music director Justin Fischer.

The original Broadway production of BABY opened in December 1983, and starred Liz Callaway, Catherine Cox, Beth Fowler, and Martin Vidnovic. The New York Times praised the show, saying that it "woos us with such basic commodities as warm feelings, an exuberant cast, and a lovely score." The show ran for 241 performances and earned seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. The bookwriter is Sybille Pearson (Giant), and the score by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire (Starting Here, Staring Now; Closer Than Ever) boasts such now-classic cabaret songs as "The Story Goes On" and "Patterns."

ABOUT RIVERDALE RISING STARS

Riverdale Rising Stars, under the artistic direction of Laurie Walton, was created to provide the teens of the Riverdale community and beyond a professional repertory company experience. Since its inception 12 years ago, the organization has expanded its programming to include Rising Stars Jr (ages 8-12), Riverdale Repertory Company (adult performers), and launching this spring, Little Rising Stars (ages 6-8). Of greatest importance is the way that all build self-esteem, learn enormous respect for others, develop camaraderie and create lifelong friendships. Together, these award-winning companies provide a world of expression, passion and creativity for all ages.

Riverdale Rising Stars was created to provide the teens of the Riverdale community and beyond a professional repertory company experience. Since its inception 13 years ago, the organization has expanded its programming to include Rising Stars Jr., Riverdale Repertory Company, and the Riverdale Performing Arts Conservatory (RPAC), an educational program for adults and children. Of greatest importance is the way that all build self-esteem, learn enormous respect for others, develop camaraderie and create lifelong friendships. Together, these award-winning companies provide a world of expression, passion and creativity for all ages.

Upcoming productions include RENT: SCHOOL EDITION (April 5-13); THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (April 26-28), THE WIZARD OF OZ (May 18-26); and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (June 1-15).

For more information about upcoming productions, visit www.RiverdaleRisingStars,com.

ABOUT THE RIVERDALE YM-YWHA

The mission of the Riverdale YM-YWHA is to be the hub that brings together members of the Jewish and wider community. At the Y, individuals and families of all backgrounds and abilities gather to grow, to learn, and to deepen their understanding of themselves and their connections to one another. Rooted in Jewish values, our cultural, social, educational, health and wellness programs offer members of all ages multiple pathways into the richness of our local community life. Through our programs and partnerships, we strive to improve the quality of life in the Riverdale community and celebrate its uniqueness and its diversity. www.RiverdaleY.org

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