WELCOME TO AMERICA - A CARIBBEAN MUSICAL Extends in Queens

Welcome to America - A Caribbean Musical, has extended its limited run due to sold out performances and overwhelming audience demand during its first run of shows last weekend.

The show opened on Thursday April 20 and was originally slated for five performances, ending on Sunday April 23.

However, producers Braata Productions have extended the run, adding two more performances this weekend, on Saturday April 29 at 8pm and Sunday April 30 at 6pm. The show is running at the Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College, Jamaica Queens.

Directed by Dominican born Yudelka Heyer, Welcome To America- A Caribbean Musical tackles the timely issue of illegal immigration. It tells the story of Sabrina Barnes, a talented and ambitious ingénue actress from the Caribbean, who leaves her home behind and arrives in America determined to pursue her dreams of stardom. However, she is soon hit with the harsh realities of life in her newly adopted country and finds not only her ambitions but her very existence in the United States in grave peril.

Executive Director of Braata Productions Andrew Clarke- who co wrote original music and lyrics for the show and is also part of the cast- describes the response to last weekend's performances as "nothing short of phenomenal."

"On opening night last Thursday we had a nearly full house and received a rousing standing ovation from our audience. However, by Saturday night we were turning back patrons who had come from as far away as Connecticut and Delaware hoping to buy tickets at the theater, and we were completely sold out. When the same thing occurred with our final performance Sunday evening, we knew we had an obligation to extend the run to give those people the opportunity to come back and see us. Hopefully, they take advantage of our online ticket facility because we are anticipating another bumper weekend and it's definitely prudent to secure tickets in advance-especially for those travelling from afar."

Clarke identifies the show's themes of hope and aspiration and the timeliness of its subject matter as the key factors in its success.

"It is the hot button issue in our country right now and many of those who did see the show told us they either know someone who has been through the same situations depicted or that they have experienced something similar themselves.... The show has indeed touched a nerve right now, in very profound ways."

Welcome To America- A Caribbean Musical features book by Karl O'Brian Williams, with music and lyrics by Williams, Clarke and Joel Edwards.

The Milton Bassin Performing Arts Center is located at York College, 94-95 Guy R Brewer Blvd in Jamaica Queens, New York, 11451. See also www.yorkpac.com.

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