BAC TO BROADWAY: A BENEFIT CABARET Set for 1/11

In the can-do spirit of so many popular Broadway musicals, seven professional performers are joining BAC Artistic Director of Theater and Dance Shellee Frazee to stage "BAC to Broadway, A Benefit Cabaret," Sat., Jan 11, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. All tickets $20, and all proceeds will go to funding the BAC professional theater series.

Staged for an intimate evening of Broadway song and dance with BAC professionals and friends, "BAC to Broadway" will feature Michael Mejia, Ryan Westwood, Megan Kearney, Don Abbott, Ricky Harris, Tim Stompanato, Warren Jackson and Frazee.

Michael Mejia is an instructor at the BAC, and recently performed in BAC's production of "They're Playing Our Song." Past credits include Noah in "Rainmaker," Brad Majors in "The Rocky Horror Show," and Mike Costa in "A Chorus Line."

Ryan Westwood's credits include roles in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Oregon Adventure Theatre, "The Christmas Schooner" at The Mercury Theater, and playing John in "John and Jen" at The Greenroom Theater. A singer-songwriter, he is releasing is first EP this month.

Megan Kearney made her acting debut at the BAC in "They're Playing Our Song" and teaches in the BAC's children's acting program. She played the role of Gloria Upson in "Mame" at Victory Gardens Theatre.

Don Abbott is a regular performer with ComedySportz Quad Cities and Guys in Ties Improv Comedy.

Frederick Harris most recently appeared as Vernon Gersch in BAC's production of "They're Playing Our Song." A music and theatre instructor at the BAC, Harris is a member of Barrel of Monkeys Theatre where he serves as Music Director and teaches.

A recent graduate of St. Ambrose University with degrees in theatre and philosophy, Tim Stompanato performed for the first time at the BAC in "They're Playing Our Song." Previous theatre credits include "Legally Blonde" and "The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley" at Circa '21 and "Chicago" and "A Midsummer's Night's Dream" at the Galvin Fine Arts Center.

Warren Levon's recent theatre credits include "Waiting for Lefty" at American Blues Theatre, "Radio Golf" at Raven Theatre where he received a BTAA Nomination for best featured actor in a play, and "Doo Lister's Blues" at National Pastime. Levon's recent film credits include "Lac Du Flambeau." When he is not on stage, Levon runs the sound board for BAC Star Productions.

Shellee Frazee is a teaching artist and a freelance director/choreographer. She served as Managing Director for Redtwist Theatre in Chicago, was owner and Artistic Director of Center Stage Performing Arts Academy in the Quad Cities, and serves as an adjunct teacher for the theatre department at St. Ambrose University.

The BAC professional theater series continues with "Songs for a New World," March 28 through 30, and "Ain't Misbehavin'," June 13 through 15. Tickets for these shows are $22 each ($20 for Beverly Arts Center members). Buy tickets to all three shows for $60 ($54 for BAC members). Tickets and information: www.beverlyartcenter.org and 773-445-3838.