The Theatre Development Fund and Emigrant Bank hosted 100 Big Brothers and Sisters along with their younger charges at a special 4 PM, "first theatre experience" performance of The Bomb-itty of Errors on June 7. The inner city kids (aka "Littles") and their mentor Big Brothers and Big Sisters ("Bigs") were treated to their first live theatre experience with the special Off-Broadway show. After the performance, the audience members met with cast members Jason Catalano, Jordan Allen-Dutton, Gregory Qaiyum and Erik Weiner for a "rap" session.

In a prepared statement, TDF's executive director, Jack Goldstein said that, "No organization has been more successful in making a difference in the lives of young people than Big Brothers Big Sisters and it had been TDF's privilege for 32 years to introduce new audiences to the very best professional theatre. This new opportunity to combine our efforts has been made possible by Emigrant Savings Bank, once again displaying its commitment to the arts and to making New York a better place to live and work."

After the Bomb-itty cast introduced the kids to their first theatre experience, the actors met with their producer and learned that their New York run at 45 Bleecker would wrap up on June 18, in preparation for a national tour.

-- By Murdoch McBride