Mary Testa, Capathia Jenkins, Paul Scott Goodman and More Join From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook

By Michael Gioia
and Andrew Gans
23 Jan 2013

Mary Testa
Mary Testa

Two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa and Newsies' Capathia Jenkins are among the artists who have joined the long lineup of Broadway stars for From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook, which will be presented Jan. 28 at 7 PM at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT.

All proceeds and donations will go to United Way of Western Connecticut's Sandy Hook School Support Fund, created in the aftermath of the December 2012 school shooting in Newtown, CT.

The evening will feature Broadway artists as well as students from various Newtown choirs and dance groups.

Currently scheduled to appear are Brian Stokes Mitchell, Linda Eder, Stephen Schwartz, Micky Dolenz, Marc Shaiman, Michael Cerveris, Christine Ebersole, Frank Wildhorn, Philip Boykin, Paul Scott Goodman, Richard Kind, Andrea McArdle, Nikki Blonsky, Alan Muraoka, Jan Maxwell, Robin de Jesus, Testa, Julia Murney, Jenkins, Janet Metz, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, members of the touring cast of Sister Act, Muppets and cast members from "Sesame Street," and members from various casts of Million Dollar Quartet: Lance Guest, Erik Hayden, Randy Redd, Dan Mills and Victoria Matlock.

Rounding out the ensemble are Krystle Adams, Lindsay Aster, Rachel Baker, Leslie Becker, Mimi Bessette, Ashley Blanchet, Katie Branden, Corey Brunish, Billy Casey, Mark Chmiel, Andrew Clark, Aaron James Darr, Willie Dee, Hannah Rose DeFlumeri, Janine DiVita, Nicolas Dromard, Demi Fragale, Brian Golub, Carly Robyn Green, Dale Hensley, Curtis Howard, Anthony Johnson, Missy Keene, Richard Koons, Kyshawn Lane, Tony Lawson, K.C. Leiber, Danny Lindgren, Jaygee Macapugay, Rhyn McLemore, Mark Bradley Miller, Thomas Ortiz, Allie Parris, Annie Pasqua, Jenna Pasqua, Jennifer Prescott, Aaron Riesebeck, Emma Ritchie, Brian Charles Rooney, Gabrielle Ruiz, Roland Rusinek, Krista Severeid, Cory Stonebrook, Erin Sullivan, Stewart Tabler, Tiffany Trainer, Price Waldman, Jamie Westberry and Chris Woods.

Brett Boles, author of the musical Foreverman, and Broadway producer Van Dean, both from the Newtown area, are the conceivers of the benefit concert.

"The outpouring of love and support from the Broadway community has been incredibly heartwarming," said Dean in a statement, "and everyone was looking for a way they could use their talents to bring something positive to the community. From Broadway With Love provides them with the perfect outlet to do so."

The benefit concert will be directed by Michael Unger with certain segments directed by Jeff Calhoun, Stephen Nachamie, David Lee and Daisy Prince. Produced by Van Dean and Kenny Howard of the Broadway Consortium, Jennifer Isaacson, Ken Mahoney, Sarahbeth Grossman, Bethney Ruggiero, Michael A. Alden, Rob Hinderliter and Yvette Kojic, the concert will also feature music director Jeffrey Saver conducting an orchestra consisting of many top Broadway musicians.

Also incorporated into the evening will be video greetings from shows currently running on Broadway as well as "Les Misérables" Oscar nominee Anne Hathaway, Ricki Lake, Marissa Jaret Winokur and more.

Librettist David Thompson is helping shape the show. The creative team also includes casting consultant Cindi Rush Casting, technical supervisor Tom Bussey, sound designer John Petrafesa, lighting designer David Agress, scenic designer Tom McPhillips and production stage manager Zoya Kachadurian.

From Broadway With Love provides a free night of entertainment for the impacted families, first responders, and the Sandy Hook Elementary community. The Palace Theatre seats approximately 2,600, and a limited number of tickets are on sale ranging from $50 to $250.

To purchase tickets or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit FromBroadwayWithLove.org. Contact Ken Mahoney at (914) 419-3762 or sponsorship@frombroadwaywithlove.org for information on how  to become a corporate sponsor.