Big Broadway event at The Ridgefield Playhouse

             The weather outside has been frightening, and getting to a Broadway show might seem daunting. But, music lovers can attend a grand night on Broadway right in Ridgefield on Friday, November 11, at 8 p.m. when “Broadway Backstage!” takes over The Ridgefield Playhouse. Daniel Levine (pictured as Nathan in “Guys and Dolls”) has teamed up with Ridgefield Magazine to bring the best of shows plus behind-the-scenes secrets of what it’s like to work on Broadway to the local Playhouse venue. Levine will be joined by Broadway veterans Jenny Powers, Matt Farnsworth (pictured with David Hyde Pierce), Michael Seelbach, Rachelle Rak  and Cheryl Stern who will perform their showstoppers from  “Catch Me If You Can”, “Chicago”, “Fosse”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Wicked”,  “Grease”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Mamma Mia”, “Les Miz”, “Hair”,  and they’ll “tell all”…something you don’t get in New York City. To make it a “Dinner-and-a show” kind of evening, a free glass of wine with dinner is being offered at Sarah’s Wine Bar (upstairs at Bernard’s on West Lane in Ridgefield),  and Bernard’s is offering a special prix fixe dinner (reservations suggested) for ticket holders. A  Morris/Levine Production with musical direction by Michael Lavine with Chris Johnson on drums and Michael Keunnan on bass, this show is underwritten by The Cutting Board Café and Catering with partial underwriting from Adam Broderick Salon & Spa.  Media sponsor is WMNR Fine Arts Radio 88.1fm. This event is part of the Ridgefield Magazine/Morris Media Group Broadway & Cabaret Series.

                The six Broadway performers have impressive credentials in the world of professional singing/dancing/acting: Daniel C. Levine has appeared on Broadway and in National Tours of “Little Shop of Horrors”, “The Rocky Horror Show”, “Mamma Mia!”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Chicago”, “Les Misérables”, and “Tommy”.  Jenny Powers was in the recent revival of “Grease” and “Little Women” and played key roles in “Happiness” at Lincoln Center, “Follies” at Encores! and “A Little Night Music” at Chicago Shakespeare. Her film credits include “Confessions of a Shopaholic” and Chris Rock’s “I Think I Love My Wife”.

                Cheryl Stern had a starring role in The Huntington Theatre’s production of”Candide”, and was in the 2010 Tony Award winning revival of “La Cage Aux Folles” as well as in “The Women”  and “Laughing Room Only”. She has been part of national tours for “Les Misérables”, “Evita”, and “Fiddler on the Roof” and has appeared in television’s “Guiding Light”, “As the World Turns” and “Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall.  Michael Seelbach has been in “Footloose”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Hair” and “Wicked” (original cast) on Broadway. 

                     Rachelle Rak most recently danced in the new show “Catch Me If You Can”!  and in “Fosse” with Ben Vereen, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, “Oklahoma!” and “Cats”.  Matt Farnsworth performed with David Hyde Pierce in “Curtains” and in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Cats” and “Tommy”.  His television credits include “All My Children” and “The Conan O’Brien Show”.  Matt  tours with The Three Tenors.

     For tickets ($75 Gold Circle with meet & greet, $50 orches., $45 mezz.) and more information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office at 203-438-5795, or buy tickets online, ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, in Ridgefield, CT.