A Very Special Troupe Presents 'The Best of Broadway Las Vegas'

A Source of Joy Theatricals has gathered a group of 32 very talented, multi-cultural singers and dancers from Las Vegas to perform two very special benefit shows.

The Best of Broadway Las Vegas: A Soulful Musical Celebration features music from Wicked, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, Chicago, The Wiz, Momma Mia, Ain't Misbehavin, Cats, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Miz, Miss Sagion, Five Guys Named Moe, Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, Porgy & Bess and many more.

The show was created and directed by Deon Ridley and Torrey Russell and choreographed by Avree Walker.

Founded by Torrey Russell, A Source of Joy Theatricals, Inc. headquartered in Las Vegas, NV, produces the Broadway In The Hood program.

It is a full-service community empowerment arts organization dedicated to making a positive impact on communities across America. A Source of Joy Theatricals targets its programs at communities plagued with gangs and domestic violence, drugs, and murder with a primary focus on teens and young adults between the ages of 14 to 20. 

Programs cover education and cultural arts and applies the same standards of excellence to its productions that are applied in professional theater. Cast and crew members learn from professional directors, choreographers and technicians how to create and build a full-scale Broadway production utilizing members of the local community. Previously, and in the future, Broadway In The Hood  programs and productions are free and open to the public. This is their first fundraiser ever and they will be doing more free shows in the coming months.

Broadway In The Hood serves many of the participants as a family environment. For example, disaffected students who were failing their schoolwork became part of the troupe and, with this week's report card, proudly showed off straight A's. They have bonded over Broadway and there get much of the support they were lacking.

Torrey Russell, says, "We cast in homeless shelters and Boys and Girls Clubs. Theater gives the kids a focus and many of them, even though they never even saw a show, become passionate about it."

Broadway In The Hood  recently performed before a talk by Maya Angelou. Russell recalls, "When we walked in the room, Maya Angelou said, 'Wow! Look at my babies. It’s such a beautiful rainbow.'”

Next month, the troupe will open for Whoopi Goldberg in Arizona.

The Best of Broadway Las Vegas will be performed Friday and Saturday evenings, April 22 and 23 at the Dallas Events Center at Texas Station. Tickets, including a pre-show buffet are: $35, $30 and   $25. You can order by going to http://www.tickets.broadwaylasvegas.com(Click on the performance you want and then, when the page comes up, scroll down to choose your seats and buy tickets.) Or call 702-258-0569