Retreat to Broadway Presents Holiday Concert in NJ
By: Sally Henry Fuller Nov. 03, 2015
A holiday concert featuring five Broadway performers is scheduled for Monday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ (7 Livingston Ave. 08901). For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.retreattobroadway.com.
The performers - Roz Brown ("Footloose" and "One Mo' Time"), Kathy Deitch (Wicked, Footloose, "American Horror Story," "Raising Hope"), Kevin R. Free (The Fantastiks, "Welcome to Nightvale"), Julie James ("The Julie James Show," "Broadway Names with Julie James"), and Marty Thomas (Wicked, Xanadu, The Secret Garden, "Two Broke Girls") - will entertain audience members with holiday and Broadway tunes in a concert titled, "Tidings of Comfort & Joy." Julie James, Program Director of SiriusXM's On Broadway and Metropolitan Opera channels, will also host this third annual event.
This family-friendly concert benefits "Retreat to Broadway," a 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 concert proceeds benefit future Retreat to Broadway programming, as well as their scholarship program that assists retreat participants who experience financial hardship.
New to this year's concert is a special awards portion; founding Speakers Bureau member, Kathy Deitch, will receive the Inspiration Award. This award is given to an individual who inspires, renews, and transforms others through their personal and professional career. Deitch's lifelong commitment to service, teaching, and the arts inspired the organization to highlight an incredible person and strong supporter of Retreat to Broadway. Deitch responded, "I am so honored to be receiving the inaugural Inspiration Award from Retreat to Broadway. Just getting the opportunity to participate in their tranformative work has been the reward for me. Under the Director and Founder's leadership, Brian Reavey has empowered hundreds of theatre goers to engage with actors that never would have happened otherwise; conversations about social justice, spiritual connection, and the journey that only theatre can kick-start in one's own life -- whether on stage or in the audience. That to me is priceless and inspiring."
Covenant House will receive this year's Transformation Award, and this honor is presented to an organization whose mission of inspiration, renewal, and transformation aligns with Retreat to Broadway's. Kevin Ryan, President of Covenant House, will accept this award on behalf of the countless homeless youth they impact through direct service, job training, health care, and more. "I am honored to accept Retreat to Broadway's Transformation Award on behalf of the over 50,000 homeless youth who will find hope at Covenant House this year," said Ryan. "The least interesting thing about the homeless kids we serve is that they are homeless. Our kids are artists, singers, dancers, musicians -- they are gifted, beautiful kids. Retreat to Broadway's mission to use live theater as a way to bring out the best in all of us aligns perfectly with our mission. On behalf of our kids, thank you."
Concert tickets range from $25 for general admission to $125 for premier reserved seating and VIP After Party with Broadway talent that includes a dessert social and open bar. A tricky tray raffle and live auction will also be available featuring signature Broadway themed prize packages. For more information visit www.retreattobroadway.com.
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