BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE Teams Up with TA-DA! Youth Theater for IT'S UP TO YOU Anti-Bullying Forum, 5/6

by BWW News Desk Apr. 29, 2012

TADA! YOUTH THEATER presents, in conjunction with the now-playing world premiere musical UP TO YOU, IT'S UP TO YOU, a open forum event on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11am to discuss bullying through leadership, moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte and featuring a special opening number from BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE (http://bwaypride.org). The event is free, and parents and kids are especially encouraged to attend. Miss New York Kaitlin Monte has spent the year engaging discussion in schools and working with State Senator Klein to create legislative reform. Reservations can be made at www.tadatheater.com.

BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE cast members slated to sing in the opening number will include:

Ken Alston Jr. (Off Broadway's Three Mo' Tenors), JR Bruno (West Side Story, The Book of Mormon National Tour), Michael Cusumano (Chicago), Lauren Elder (Hair Revival), John Edwards (Jersey Boys), Russell Fischer (Jersey Boys), Andrea Frierson (Lion King, Once on This Island), Calvin Grant (Rent), Tony Gonzalez (Mamma Mia), Cody Scott Lancaster (Rock of Ages), Rebecca Larkin (South Pacific, Avenue Q), Michele Mais (Rock of Ages), Anthony Lee Medina (Spring Awakening National Tour, The Capeman at The Public), Michael Munoz (Off Broadway's Naked Boys Singing), Fred Ross (Jesus Christ Superstar National Tour), Arbender J. Robinson (The Book of Mormon, The Lion King), Saycon Sengbloh (The Color Purple, Wicked, Fela!), LaQuet Sharnell (Lysistrata Jones), Allison Siko (Kathleen Stabler on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Courter Simmons (Jersey Boys), MJ Rodriguez (Off Broadway's Rent Revival, Showtime's Nurse Jackie), Amy Lynn Zanetto (Radio City Christmas Spectacular-NY, Grease National Tour). Broadway vocal coach Michael Lavine will serve as musical director. This portion is being produced by NealB.tv (www.NeaB.tv).

Shortly following the forum will be 2pm performance of TADA! Youth Theater's World Premiere of UP TO YOU, with book and music by Eric Rockwell, lyrics by Jo Anne Bogart and directed by Janine Nina Trevens. Like all TADA! musicals, UP TO YOU is a professionally produced off-Broadway musical performed for kids, by kids; and dealing with topics relevant to kids and their experiences. UP TO YOU takes place in 1977 during elections for the student council at Hamilton High. It examines several relevant issues facing young people today including – peer acceptance, verbal bullying, stereotyping based on activities you take part in, and wanting to be popular. Through the course of the musical the narrator, Eric, is bullied because of rumors about his sexuality and because he won't go along with the "in" crowd. The story, loosely based on some of Mr. Rockwell's own high school experiences, emphasizes the idea that each individual can make a difference for themselves and the community at large in a fun, entertaining, age-appropriate and approachable way.

UP TO YOU plays the following schedule through Sunday, May 20: Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm & 4pm. Added performance on Friday May 18 at 7pm. There is no performance on Sunday May 13.

Tickets for UP TO YOU are $15 for adults and $8 for children; Premium tickets (also available for every performance) are $25 for adults and $15 for children and feature priority seating and support TADA!'s programming. Tickets are now available online at www.tadatheater.com/currentseason.asp. Tickets may also be purchased in-person one hour prior to performance. Non-Profit Group rates start at $6 per child for groups of 20+; birthday party packages are also available. UP TO YOU is recommended for ages 5 and over. Running Time: approximately 60 minutes

For more information, visit www.tadatheater.com.

BROADWAY SINGS FOR PRIDE unites the best of Broadway celebrities and the New York community to share their stories and songs about LGBT pride. Each event benefits a worthy LGBT cause. Broadway Sings for Pride's second annual Gay Pride concert will be held Monday, June 25, 2012 in New York City. For more information, visit www.bwaypride.org or find the group on Facebook at Broadway Sings For Pride.

Since 1984, TADA! Youth Theater has been providing young people of all different backgrounds the opportunity to explore and perform musical theater together in an educational, supportive and professional environment. In 2009 with a Special Drama Desk Award for "providing an invaluable contribution to the future of the theater." TADA! is the only youth theater to have won this prestigious award. TADA! has also received many other honors and awards including the American Alliance for Theater Education's Anne Flagg Multicultural Award, Family Circle Magazine's 1st Annual Halo Award, and more than a dozen National Youth Theatre Awards. Additionally, in 2008 TADA! was honored with a Coming Up Taller Award, our nation's highest honor for youth development from the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities.

Every year, TADA! produces: original musical Theater Productions performed by kids for family audiences; a discounted ticket program; free pre-professional training and youth development opportunities through the Resident Youth Ensemble composed of over 80 NYC kids ages 8-18; renowned Arts Education in-school residencies and after-school programs; and theater classes and camps for kids of all ages taught by professional teaching artists and for which need-based financial aid is available.

TADA!'s original productions employ professional directors, designers, technicians and musicians who work with a multi-ethnic cast of NYC children (ages 8–18) who are members of the TADA! Resident Youth Ensemble.