Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich to Perform Original Musical Off-Broadway

From the stages of Greenwich to the stages of New York, soon young actors at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich will be able to add a new experience to their resumes, "Off-Broadway." Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, has commissioned composer Zachary Israel Nobile Kampler and librettist Rocco Natale to write a new musical for its theatre program as well as national affiliates.

The original musical, "K.C.@Bat" re-imagines Ernest Thayer's beloved 1888 poem about fictitious baseball legend Casey and the town of Mudville to the present day. The musical was developed as part of BGCG's theatre program- a free initiative available to over 2,000 members annually. Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, CT produced the original musical in the spring of 2013 to such success that they are restaging the production at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City on November 11th.

Club members will work along-side professional actors in a collaborative production; learning new songs, dialogue and dances. According to Don Palmer, BGCG Program Director, this opportunity gives its members who aspire to be actors the chance to work one-on-one with seasoned professionals in a once in a lifetime experience.

The story of "K.C.@Bat" speaks to contemporary themes of empowerment, diversity and following your dreams. When young K.C. moves to Mudville with her father from New York City, she struggles to fit in at her new school. An avid ball player, K.C. whips the all but beat school team into shape, making friends and learning important life lessons along the way.

The show was created with the hope that other organizations, schools and National Boys & Girls Club affiliates will have interest in producing the work. "We are very proud of the musical we have created for these students," says Rocco Natale, who wrote the script and lyrics, "We hope that children all over the world will have the chance to enjoy the power of this story."

Kampler, the composer of the work, adds,: "When the opportunity to restage the musical off-broadway arose, we jumped at it. It's rare to have so much enthusiasm for a new musical! Usually kids want to sing a song from Annie or Wicked." "To have so much excitement from them about something NEW is thrilling." Natale adds, "The arts were such a huge part of both our lives growing up that-to give back to the next generation is huge for us." Kampler chimes in, "Yes. Agreed. This show is very special that way."

The theatre program at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich is based on the belief that access to the arts is integral for the growth and human development of society.