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07/08/2016 08:43 AMHow much would you pay to see The Broadway Boys in Branford? On Sunday, July 17, you decide.
For the third summer in a row, Branford-based Broadway production company Seaview Productions brings "Broadway in Branford" performances town for fans contributing a "pay what you can" ticket donation. Proceeds will help non-profit Legacy Theatre continue its efforts to restore its historic Stony Creek Puppet House building.
"We are the only people that bring in this caliber of performance here," said Seaview co-founder Greg Nobile. "Every year, it gets bigger. This is our biggest show yet, with six Boys and four in the band; so it's also the most expensive to bring in. But one thing that will never change is a 'pay what you can' option. You can see this show if you can only pay 50 cents for a ticket or if you can pay $75."
Billed as "a collection of some of the hottest male voices currently working the New York stage" the sextet coming to Branford includes Nick Cartell (Phantom of the Opera), Brent DiRoma (Jersey Boys), Donald Webber Jr. (Motown), Shaun Mykals (Dreamgirls), John Krause (Fun Home) and Matt DeAngelis (Hair). Backed by a full band, the Boys will thrill as they blend pop, funk, gospel, jazz and even a few boy-band harmonies into arrangements of songs from today's biggest shows.
Branford's reputation as a great summer location for visiting artists is growing thanks to the efforts of Tony Award and Oliver Award winning Seaview Productions in tandem with Legacy Theatre, which offers a residency program for artists working to develop new shows. Nobile serves as non-profit Legacy's managing director (Legacy's co-founders are Stephanie Stiefel Williams and Keely Baisden Knudsen).
"It's been this very fun and interesting shift between the residency we do at the cottage at Legacy, and now that our Broadway business is here," said Nobile. "People have been coming up to us and saying, 'What's that thing you do in that little town? Can we come?' Everybody wants to have an opportunity to experience summer in this quaint shoreline town, which is incredibly welcoming to any group we bring in."
Nobile leads Seaview with Branford resident and Legacy board member Jana Shea, and the support of Branford native Colin Sheehan. Seaview's producing credits include A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Side Show, Hughie, Gypsy, Show Boat, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey and Invisible Thread.
Nobile added collaborations with the Owenego and Camp Rising Sun Foundation (the show's huge tent also accommodates Camp Rising Sun's Annual Night Out, set this year for July 13) are critical to the success of Seaview's annual "Broadway in Branford" effort.
The Owenego lends its facilities to support many worthwhile events, such as the recent Connecticut Make a Wish Foundation's "Summer of Wishes" kick off in June. In another collaborative effort, Nobile shared The Broadway Boys will play a role in helping Seaview fulfill a very special wish of a local "wish kid" revealed on July 17 during the show at the Owenego.
On show night, the Owenego offers an a la carte picnic dinner before the performance; reservations for the picnic can be made by calling (203) 488-3805.
Supporters who make $75 ticket donation to see The Broadway Boys on July 17 can enjoy a V.I.P. experience including a pre-show cocktail reception, reserved tent seating, meet and greet with The Broadway Boys and an exclusive pre-show performance.
With 750 Broadway fans packing last year's show, advance ticket purchases are recommended. "Pay What You Can" tickets for the July 17, 7:30 p.m. performance of The Broadway Boys at the Owenego, 40 Linden Ave. (Branford), are available at www.broadwayinbranford.com with suggested ticket donation prices of $20 to $75 per ticket.