Nick Adams, Alex Newell & More Will Take Part in Broadway Dreams' MARY & MAX Reading at Alliance Theatre

This week, Broadway Dreams will workshop and present a staged reading of the new musical Mary & Max at the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta, GA. Through an integrated partnership between the not-for-profit performing arts training program and the musical's creators, Broadway Dreams students and faculty will have the opportunity to be actively involved in the process of creating a new musical.

Based on the award-winning 2009 Australian animated film from Academy Award-winning writer / director Adam Elliot, Mary & Max features a book by Crystal Skillman and music and lyrics by Bobby Cronin. The presentation will be directed by the Theatre Calgary's newly appointed Artistic Director, Stafford Arima (Allegiance), with musical direction by Anna Ebbesen. An industry presentation will take place on Friday, June 9 at 4 PM at the ALLIANCE THEATRE. On Saturday, June 10 at 9 AM, Broadway Dreams will offer a second presentation for students and community members at the Buford Fine Arts Center.

"Several years ago, I saw an animated film that made me laugh as hard as it made me cry. It was about the search for connection in the midst of isolation, broaching necessary and timely conversations around bullying, mental health and friendship," said Bobby Cronin. "That film was Mary & Max, and I immediately knew it would translate to the stage beautifully. Since then, my partner Crystal Skillman and I have sought to transform that quirky and complicated world into a magical new musical. Thanks to the incredible Broadway Dreams, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our creation live on stage for the first time."

"I am grateful to Crystal and Bobby for entrusting us with their deeply moving new piece, as immersing our students in the process of creating a new musical meets two of our fundamental goals at Broadway Dreams," added Founder and President Annette Tanner. "It elevates a comprehensive education in musical theatre and ensures that our students are at the forefront of everything new and exciting happening in the entertainment industry."

Mary & Max is the special story of two people from two different worlds who remind us that, even when we feel most afraid and alone, friendship can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Set in the 1970s, it comes to life through pen pal exchanges between Mary Dinkle, a chubby ten-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max Horovitz, a severely obese, 44-year-old Jewish man with Asperger's Syndrome living in the chaos of New York. As they take us on their respective journeys, we learn that sometimes perfect strangers make the best of friends and that it's never too late -- or early-- to take a chance and come together.

The cast of Mary & Max includes Bella Fraker (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) as Mary and Anthony Galde (Wicked) as Max, along with Nick Adams (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Anne Brummel (Wicked), Lauren Elder (Side Show), Alex Newell ("Glee"), and Broadway Dreams students / alum, Chase Crandell, Leigh Ellen Jones, Hugh Entrekin, Vincent Ford, Greg Kamp (Catch Me if You Can), Chloe McSwain, and Sarah Stipe.

Broadway Dreams (Annette Tanner, Founder and President), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization established in 2006, provides youth and young adults of all socioeconomic backgrounds with performance training, life skills building, and mentorship opportunities from the entertainment industry's most distinguished talents. Broadway Dreams seeks to empower aspiring young artists through performing arts training, with a focus on the acting, voice, and dance disciplines. Program intensives are offered nationally and internationally throughout the year. To date, over 11,000 students have participated, with over $1M in scholarships disbursed.

Broadway Dreams recently kicked-off #ComeTogether, a multi-city Summer Intensive tour across the U.S. and Canada. Tour stops include New York, Los Angeles, Aspen, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Summer Intensive attendees enjoy master classes and rehearsals in preparation for a showcase at the end of the week, where they perform alongside their Broadway idols.

For more information on Broadway Dreams, please visit www.BroadwayDreams.org.