Ocean State Theatre Company to Host Two Benefit Concerts in January

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its third season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, is pleased to announce two presentations in January - A Night of Broadway Classics on Saturday, January 10 and British Invasion starring OSTC "kid" alumni on Sunday, January 11.

Directed by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, with musical direction by Patrick Aiken, A Night of Broadway Classics will star Dr. Fredric S. Scheff who portrayed Jean Valjean in OSTC's 2013-14 season opener, LES MISERABLES. Some of Dr. Scheff's guests, which are scheduled to appear, include good friends Sarah Pothier and Hannah Spacone, who are currently starring as Esther Smith and Rose Smith in OSTC's holiday production of Meet Me in St. Louis, Stacey Geer, who is also appearing in Meet Me in St. Louis as Katie, the maid, Aimee Doherty, who made her OSTC debut as Margot Wendice in Dial M for Murder, Rochelle Weinrauch and Katie Clark, who appeared as Sarah Brown and Adelaide in OSTC's summer production of Guys and Dolls, Erin McCracken, who won rave reviews as Patsy Cline in Always...Patsy Cline, Lauren Gemelli, who appeared as Anytime Annie in OSTC's spring production of 42nd Street, and many more! The program will consist of a collection of popular and beloved Broadway tunes including "Music of the Night," "This is the Moment," "At The Ballet," "We've Got Magic To Do," "Pick-a-little Talk-a-little," "Seasons of Love," and, of course, "Bring Him Home."

British Invasion, which will reunite "kid" alumni, who have appeared in previous OSTC productions both at Theatre By The Sea from 2007-2012 and Ocean State Theatre from 2012-2014, will be directed and choreographed by NYC choreographer MK Lawson (The Winter Wonderettes and RENT for OSTC) and music directed by concert pianist Tamra Stephenson, who is currently on staff at the French American School of New York. The special benefit concert will feature Broadway songs from British songwriters including Andrew Lloyd Webber (CATS, Joseph...); Phil Collins (Tarzan); Elton John (Billy Elliot, The Lion King); Tim Minchin (Matilda); Tim Rice (Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin); Herbert Kretzmer (LES MISERABLES); Richard Stilgoe (Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express); and Lionel Bart (Oliver!). Funds raised will benefit the Camp OSTC Scholarship Fund, which is used to underwrite tuition to the popular musical theatre camp recently awarded a "Best of Rhode Island Award" from RI Monthly. Scheduled to appear are Calista Heart Aguinaldo, Abigail McMahon, Laurel McMahon, Lily McMahon, Eve Senerchia and Grace Truslow of Warwick; Jessica Arsenian and Celeste Richards of South Kingstown; Sophie Blackman of Pawtucket; Brooke Lee Ann Boisvert of Harrisville, Connor Buonaccorsi, Olivia Gesualdi, Amaryllis Miller and Bobby Miller of Cranston; Sydney Carriero of Somerset; Bobbie Celine Doherty, of Stonington, Conn., Andrew Faria of East Providence; Brigid Fitzgerald of Kingston; Jacqueline Claire DePetro, Kate DePetro, Alexander LeBlanc and Sophie Rodgers of East Greenwich; and Rebekah Philip of Rehoboth, Mass.

A Night of Broadway Classics will be presented on Saturday, January 10 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $40. An "after party" meet-n-greet will be held with the cast following the performance and may be added for $20 to any ticket on a limited basis. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. (Ask the box office for more details.) OSTC subscribers will enjoy a reduced rate, which will be available when purchasing tickets on the phone or in person at the box office.

British Invasion will be presented on Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $25. A cast party will be held following the performance and may be added for $5 to any ticket. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. (Ask the box office for more details.)

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

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