Retreat to Broadway Hosts NEWSIES Discussion and Q&A with Tommy Bracco

St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia is one of four high schools chosen nationally to pilot Disney's school version of Newsies. Retreat to Broadway is hosting a Pre-Show Discussion and Q&A event with one of the stars of the Tony-Award winning Broadway production of Newsies, Tommy Bracco. Tommy also stars in the movie musical version of Newsies currently streaming on Netflix. The one hour discussion and question-and- answer-session starts at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3 at St. Joseph's Prep. Immediately following the pre-show program is an optional photo op and meet & greet with Tommy. Tickets start at $15 per person, and more information can be found on the event website: www.artful.ly/store/events/13909. 

This Pre-Show Discussion and Q&A event benefits Retreat to Broadway, a national non-profit project that pairs innovative programming with live theater. Their program categories (Educational, Professional, Social & Spiritual) provide unique experiences of inspiration, renewal, and transformation for any audience of any size, age or location. Participants have access to their exclusive Retreat to Broadway Speakers Bureau, a group of 10 pre-approved theater professionals who are available to speak privately to retreat groups. All December 3 event proceeds benefit future Retreat to Broadway programming and their scholarship program that assists participants who experience financial hardship.

Retreat to Broadway's Director & Founder, Brian Reavey, reported, "I've been a
Newsies enthusiast ever since I saw the original Disney film as a child at the movie
theater back in 1992. The story, score and sentimentality stuck with me for years, and I
was ecstatic to hear several years ago that it was being adapted for the theater. I saw
one of the first stage productions of Newsies during the pre-Broadway production at
Paper Mill Playhouse, and then I took my niece to see the Broadway production for her
13th birthday in 2012. We both thoroughly enjoyed the show, and it was a profound full-
circle moment for me to share this powerful story with another generation of Newsies
enthusiasts. Newsies reflects so much of what Retreat to Broadway strives to embody:
community, justice, inclusion, collaboration, inspirational leaders, fighting tirelessly and
peacefully for the common good and transformative action. We are thrilled and grateful
to St. Joe's Prep for hosting our first Retreat to Broadway event in Philadelphia, with
special thanks to Tony Braithwaite, Director of St. Joe's Cape and Sword Drama Society
(established in 1901), and Sam Deitch, Director of Ignatian Service. Finally, we are especially grateful for Tommy Bracco's availability and presence to help us 'Seize the Day' as we're 'Carrying the Banner' to make this a memorable event for all involved."

For more information about Retreat to Broadway or their Newsies event, visit www.retreattobroadway.com.