Photo Coverage: Our Time 'LISTEN' CD Release Event At Barnes and Noble East Side 2009/06/24

Photo Coverage: Our Time 'LISTEN' CD Release Event At Barnes and Noble East Side

Wednesday, June 24, 2009; Posted: 12:06 PM - by Peter James Zielinski

On June 23rd, Kelli O'Hara, Michael Cerveris, Mary Testa, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Sherie Rene Scott, Holly Brook and cast members of ‘Spring Awakening' joined together to celebrate the release of ‘Listen' at an in-store event. The in-store performance and CD signing will took place at 4pm, at the new Barnes and Noble East Side event space, at 86th and Lexington Avenue. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to celebrate along with the Our Time family!

‘LISTEN' is a collection of 15 original songs, written by children who stutter, and recorded by iconic artists including Carly Simon, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Duncan Sheik, John Forte, Mandy Patinkin and many others. In addition, Jon Bon Jovi donated the use of his studio, so that his state-of-the-art facility could support the recording process. Superstars from the worlds of pop, rock, R&B, Broadway, hip-hop and more joined together to contribute their time and talents to a cause bigger than stuttering - a call for compassion and acceptance, and for respect of one-another's differences.

Our Time is a non-profit organization centered on a one-of-a-kind Arts program that provides children who stutter with an environment of unconditional acceptance...a creative forum, where they can express themselves through art, music, writing and theater, slowly and without risk of being shamed. Founded by Taro Alexander (who has stuttered since he was five years old,) and fueled by the incomparable energy of Musical Director Everett Bradley, Our Time Theatre Company is a free resource for these children and their families. There is no place quite like Our Time.

Their ‘LISTEN' album is released on Sh-K-Boom Records, and proceeds will benefit Our Time. Featuring songs written by Our Time Kids aged 8-18 under the stewardship of Everett Bradley and Associate Musical Director Carl Danielsen, ‘LISTEN' is inspiring proof that these children simply need a few good people in their lives, and they can flourish. It's also evidence that kids who stutter are eloquent, brilliant, creative young minds, if they're given a chance to articulate themselves at their own pace. On June 23rd, this CD will give voice to a group of kids who usually don't get listened to.

Other artists who recorded for ‘LISTEN' include Blue Man Group, Ann Hampton Callaway, Michael Cerveris, Amanda Kravat, Adriane Lenox, Norm Lewis, Kelli O'Hara, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Nicki Richards, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Sherie Rene Scott, Stomp, Mary Testa, Michelle Weeks, Lucy Woodward, Cast Members from Spring Awakening, and the youth of Our Time. Our Time's Taro Alexander and Everett Bradley provide vocals as well.

Our Time provides a creative community that fosters unconditional acceptance and allows youth who stutter to feel respected and validated. Youth collaborate with others who also struggle to be heard in the everyday world. Our Time participants are assured that what they have to say is important, and they will have as much time as needed to express their unique and valuable voices, free from judgment and ridicule. For more information visit, www.ourtimetheatre.org

Photos by Peter James Zielinski

Kelli O'Hara and Michael Cerveris