5th Annual Broadway in Branford Returns This Week

From Legacy Theatre:Branford based Broadway production company Seaview Productions will present the fifth annual “pay what you can” Broadway in Branford on Friday, October 19th at 7:00 PM. This year the event will take place on the Branford Green and in the case of inclement weather would move to The Cathyann Roding Auditorium at Branford High School. This year’s talent includes William TN Hall, Sean Bernardi, Justin Bowen, Tara Martinez, and Laura Pavles. Proceeds from the evening support Legacy Theatre’s efforts to restore the historic Stony Creek Puppet House in Branford.

Reservations should be made for Broadway in Branford at www.LegacyTheatreCT.org. Any donation of $20 or more per person will receive reserved seating (chairs provided) closest to the stage. Sean Bernardi has been working in the NYC piano bars since 1998. Most recently seen as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray for Royal Caribbean, he was also in the ensemble of the Irish Rep’s concert of Brigadoon at the Shubert Theater on Broadway. Favorite roles: Marvin - FALSETTOS, Jinx -FOREVER PLAID, Baker - INTO THE WOODS, Benji - MY FAVORITE YEAR and many others! www.facebook.com/TheSeanBernar...

Justin Bowen most recently completed an eighteen month run in the four time Tony Award Winning revival of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ on Broadway starring Bette Midler. Other Broadway credits include ‘Chaplin the Musical,’ ‘On the Twentieth Century’ starring Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher, and ‘She Loves Me’ which was filmed live and shown on PBS as well as in movie theaters across the country. Other credits include the New York City Center Encores! (On Your Toes), Paper Mill Playhouse (Hero, A Funny Thing...Forum), Goodspeed Musicals (Mickey, Hello! My Baby), Stages St. Louis (Tom Sawyer, Big River!), the Yale Institute for Music Theatre, the New York Musical Theatre Festival, as well as being a top ten finalist on the reality competition ‘My Broadway Debut’ on CBS. Justin holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Florida State University.

Tara Martinez is a New York City based musical theatre actress, recording artist and cabaret singer. Favorite credits include Eva Peron in Evita, Gertrude Mcfuzz in Seussical the Musical, and Rusty in Footloose. She can be heard every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Don't Tell Mama Piano Bar in midtown NYC. For upcoming performances and more info visit www.taramusicnyc.com Laura Pavles is a New York City based singer and a graduate of The Boston Conservatory of Music. She has toured nationally with numerous musicals including A Year With Frog and Toad, and the Lincoln Center Production of South Pacific. Currently, Laura sings at the world famous Cabaret and Piano bar Don’t Tell Mama and has been nominated for her vocals and performances by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, MAC, committee several years running. Singing solo and with Tara Martinez in their diva duet group Chanteuse, Laura has performed internationally for numerous cruise lines and venues sharing her wide range of vocal styles.

William TN Hall is a composer, arranger, music director and performer in New York City. He has contributed music to two musicals currently available for licensing: Methtacular! (TIME Out New York Critic's Pick) and Songs for a More Funnier World (NYMF Award Winner). He has written music for numerous plays and film and special material for performers including Tony winner Nikki M. James and MAC award winner Molly Pope. When not writing William music directs. He plays for nightlife and cabaret stars including RuPaul's Drag Race’s Sharon Needles and Courtney Act. He was also pianist to the legendary late Joan Rivers at her New York engagements. William is a 2015 MAC award winner and nine-time MAC Nominee. He is an alumnus of the BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Writers Workshop. More info of current projects at www.williamtnhall.com

Image via Legacy Theatre