Michael Baroody News

Last Saturday, Dennis De Young, best known as the main songwriter and singer for the legendary rock band, Styx, paid a visit to Newtown, CT to watch the rehearsals of 12.14 Foundation's 101 DALMATIANS. He wrote the music and lyrics for this version of 101 Dalmatians and even reworked the show just for this program. Scroll down to see the photos!

The 12.14 Foundation will be producing two shows for its summer season incorporating 200 children from the Newtown area as a continuation of its mission to use the performing arts to promote healing and strength.

Following the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, the 12.14 Foundation was created with the mission of building a landmark Performing Arts Centre in Newtown, Connecticut, in memory of those lost on December 14, 2012. The foundation aims to develop a premier Academy of the Arts with help from local, national, and international collaborations. Through the collective efforts and contributions of local craftsmen and artisans, respected business professionals and corporations, and renowned designers, 12.14 will create a remembrance that expresses respect, passion, resilience and focus on a hope for the future. Now the foundation has teamed with the Broadway production of the Velocity of Autumn to give ticket-buyers an opportunity to contribute to the special cause. By simply entering discount code 'VA1214' when purchasing tickets to the play, $10 from every ticket purchased will be donated to the 12.14 Foundation. CLICK HERE to help the cause today! Producer of The Velocity of Autumn, Van Dean, has also worked extensively with the charity, having organized 'From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook' and the organization's 2013 production- Seussical. Dean took the time to chat with BroadwayWorld about the foundation's great work, future projects in Newtown, and how Broadway audiences can help. Check out the full interview below!

In the video below, Tartaglia and students from the production chat with 'CBS This Morning' about the importance of the performance to the community. Check it out below!

For the last 5 weeks, a dedicated team of Broadway professionals - led by 3 of the same individuals who produced a Broadway tribute to the Newtown community in Waterbury last January - has been working with more than 100 Newtown area students in a production of Seussical the Musical. It is the first of what is to be many tangible practices in healing offered by the 12.14 Foundation (the foundation's president and founder, Newtown resident Michael Baroody, serves as Executive Producer of this production). It is comfort and healing in the true sense. The big event was held over the weekend and lyricist Lynn Ahrens left a special message (in rhyme) for the cast in the show's program. Check out what she had to say below!

When more than 100 students from the Newtown area go back to school in the Fall, they will have some amazing tales to tell of their summer. For the last 5 weeks, a dedicated team of Broadway professionals - led by 3 of the same individuals who produced a Broadway tribute to the Newtown community in Waterbury last January - has been working with more than 100 Newtown area students in a production of Seussical the Musical. It is the first of what is to be many tangible practices in healing offered by the 12.14 Foundation (the foundation's president and founder, Newtown resident Michael Baroody, serves as Executive Producer of this production). It is comfort and healing in the true sense. As director Michael Unger works with the cast on their roles, he encourages them to look inward to develop their characters. This is what will eventually be a hallmark program of the 12.14 Foundation as it seeks to strengthen Newtown's youth through the arts. It is something that is mentioned often among these budding artists: that sense of camaraderie and strength.

The 12.14 Foundation has just announced that Emmy Award, Tony Award, and Drama Desk Award nominated John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Shrek, Johnny and the Sprites) will portray 'The Cat in the Hat' and lead a cast comprised of 86 Newtown area students in Seussical: The Musical written by Tony Award winning team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The production will be presented August 9, 10 and 11 at Newtown High School.

Seussical: The Musical, one of Broadway's most joyous musicals, written by the esteemed, Tony Award winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, will be presented at the Newtown High School this summer. Authors, Ahrens and Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, My Favorite Year, A Man of No Importance and the upcoming Rockymusical) have expressed their joy that this musical has been selected as the inaugural production of the 1214 Foundation.

Celebrate your passion for self-discovery and finding your personal groove on Wednesday, June 29 at 8 p.m. at The Ridgefield Playhouse during an evening with best-selling author, happiness guru, and motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein.

Gabrielle Bernstein brings an Evening of Inner & Outer Beauty to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Wednesday, June 29