Jay Armstrong Johnson Brings New York Solo Show Home to Fort Worth

KIDS WHO CARE is proud to announce a one-night only performance of alumni Jay Armstrong Johnson's personal, eclectic solo concert on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 7:30 PM. Last seen in New York at Feinstein's/54 Below, this intimate event will arrive at the home of Kids Who Care in the W.E. Scott Theatre (1300 Gendy, Fort Worth, TX 76107). Known for his thrilling vocal prowess, Jay has wowed Broadway audiences in On The Town, Hands on a Hardbody, Hair, and Catch Me If You Can. Johnson starred opposite Emma Thompson in the New York Philharmonic's Sweeney Todd and his performance in Encores' The Most Happy Fella was hailed by The New York Times as "a standout." Television audiences know him as Dr. Will Olsen from last season in the hit ABC drama Quantico.

"It's a dream to go back home where it all started and pay homage to the people and places who helped shape me as a young artist," says Jay Armstrong Johnson. "I am over the moon excited that dream is becoming a reality for me. I grew up at Kids Who Care thanks in large part to some friends from church, but in most part due to the generosity of Kids Who Care as an institution."

Written and directed by Jay Armstrong Johnson, he will be joined on stage by local talent: Amanda Ware (Kids Who Care, Company Manager) for "Thank U," a duet The New York Times called the duet "impressive" and "pitch-perfect"; Allison Robinson(Kids Who Care/FWAFA Alum, NYU Graduate) for "I Don't Need Anything But You"; and drummer Trey Ware.

Kids Who Care's Executive Director Deborah Jung will direct, with vocal direction by Pam Adair and choreography fromBrittany Jenkins. Musical Direction will be by Rodney Bush (Music Director, Ryan Scott Oliver and Pace University).

The evening will feature projection design by Chase York, a Kids Who Care alum who graduated from the New York Film Academy in 2010 where he worked on over 40 short films. Lighting design will be by Chad Jung, who has designed more than 300 productions for theatre, opera, music and dance. Opera credits include productions for companies including Atlanta Opera, Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Opera Tampa, and San Antonio.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.kidswhocare.org or by calling (817) 737-5437. VIP tickets are available and include a private cocktail party with Jay.

ABOUT Jay Armstrong Johnson

Jay Armstrong Johnson can currently be seen on the hit ABC series "Quantico." He has a solo concert/live album at Feinstein's/54 Below at the end of October. Visit the official Indiegogo campaign here. He recently starred in the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of On The Town under the direction of John Rando. His other Broadway credits include the original Broadway casts of: Hands on a Hardbody, Catch Me If You Can, Hair (revival cast). Off-B'way: The Most Happy Fella (City Center Encores!; Dir. Casey Nicholaw), Wild Animals You Should Know (MCC), Working (Drama Desk Award; Prospect Theater Co.) Johnson also co-starred alongside Emma Thompson and Audra McDonald in Sweeney Todd with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, under the direction of Lonny Price which was filmed for PBS. First National Tour: A Chorus Line. Regional: The Last Goodbye (The Old Globe; Director Alex Timbers), On The Town (Barrington Stage Co.); Pirates! Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd (MUNY); Hands On A Hardbody (La Jolla Playhouse); Pool Boy (Barrington Stage Co); Hairspray (Weston Playhouse). Concert: 35mm: A Musical Exhibition (on iTunes). TV/Film: Sex & the City 2, "Law & Order: SVU."

ABOUT KIDS WHO CARE

Kids Who Care is an international musical theatre company based in Fort Worth, Texas

Over the last 28 years, Kids Who Care has: Written and produced 22 original musicals with kids from around the world. Performed in venues all over the world including 30,000 feet aboard an airplane for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Off-Broadway at the Lamb's Theatre, at both Disney's, at The Kennedy Center, at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, People's Improv Theatre in New York City at the the Teatro della Rocca in Novellara, Italy to open an international theatre festival. Gifted over 1.1 million dollars in scholarships to kids who want to participate in Kids Who Care's programs so that every student can have a place to feel creative regardless of their ability to pay. Hosted over 800 international students representing 15 countries as part of the July International Musical Theatre Camp. Produced thousands of great kids who are changing the world.

Photo credit: Matthew Murphy

 

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