Benefit Concert Aims to Raise Funds and Awareness for War Amps CHAMP (Child Amputee) Program

Broadway performer David Connolly and BroadwayWorld.com Senior Editor Taylor Long present BOTH, a cabaret fundraiser in support of the War Amps CHAMP (Child Amputee) Program. The benefit concert will take place on Saturday, September 23rd, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the intimate Annex Theatre located at the Randolph Centre for the Arts, 736 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON.

BOTH shares Connolly and Long's personal stories of growing up in Nova Scotia, discovering their love for musical theatre, and navigating the ups and downs of living with amputation - these stories are complemented by performances of songs by Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Cole Porter and more. Anthony Bastianon is the Music Director and accompanist for the evening.

Connolly and Long are connected by more than their love of musical theatre - they both wear two prosthetics, below-the-knee. The War Amps of Canada has played an important role in their lives, providing support and funding for artificial limbs. BOTH will raise money in support of this incredible organization, and fuel the discussion about inclusion in the arts.

After graduating from Sheridan College, David Connolly made his Broadway debut at age 19 in the revival of Shenandoah. He played Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at Persephone Theatre, Tommy in Brigadoon at Rainbow Stage, originated the role of Prince Richard in Leslie Arden's A Fairy's Tale and was a member of The Stratford Festival Acting Company appearing in HMS Pinafore. As a director and choreographer, he has worked with high-profile clients including: Katy Perry, k.d. lang, Patti LaBelle and Sarah Brightman, among others. Connolly directed and choreographed the regional premiere of Mamma Mia!, the Canadian premiere of Disney's High School Musical and worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on CBC's reality television show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?.

BOTH marks the Toronto debut for Taylor Long, who was born and raised in Halifax and is currently the Senior Editor for BroadwayWorld.com Toronto. Long studied classical voice at Dalhousie University but has always been a fervent musical theatre fan and performer appearing in various musical theatre and opera productions including, The Sound of Music, The Last Five Years, How to Succeed in Business and Les Misérables. He also spent over 10 years as a counsellor with The War Amps of Canada, for which he was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.

Music Director, Anthony Bastianon has over 150 productions to his credit including Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Drayton Entertainment), Mary Poppins (Globe Theatre, Regina), Jesus Christ Superstar and The Wedding Singer (Hart House), and Godspell (Sheridan College), as well as 40 productions over 13 seasons with Stage West. His versatility as a musician has brought him opportunities to work with pop celebrities such as Chantel Kreviazuk, Dan Hill and Josh Groban as well as theatre icons Andrea Martin and Michael Burgess. Bastianon is currently on faculty in the Music Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College and is the artistic director of Voices Rock Canada.

The War Amps CHAMP (Child Amputee) Program offers comprehensive services to child amputees and their families, including financial assistance, regional seminars and peer support. Financial assistance is provided for standard artificial limbs, recreation- al devices, travel to prosthetic centres and bursaries for post-secondary education. For more information about the program or for ways to donate, visit www.waramps.ca/ways-we-help/child-amputees/.

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BOTH: A Cabaret featuring David Connolly and Taylor Long

Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 7:30pm
The Annex Theatre of the Randolph Centre for the Performing Arts
736 Bathurst St, Toronto ON

Tickets $30 plus taxes and applicable fees
To benefit the War Amps CHAMP (Child Amputee) Program

To purchase tickets, visit both.brownpapertickets.com
For more information about the War Amps of Canada, visit www.waramps.ca

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