Young stars from past Fairfield Follies shows will convene at Bridgeport’s Downtown Cabaret Theatre on Tuesday, January 29, to showcase their professional talents in a dazzling review of Broadway musical gems by composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. A Broadway trailblazer and Kennedy Center honoree, Herman was responsible for such beloved musical classics as Hello Dolly, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles and Mark and Mabel.
All of the nine featured performers in Hello Follies!, three of which hail from Fairfield, credit their own experiences in Fairfield Follies as catalysts that helped launch their theatrical educations and careers. Their appearances in this benefit are ways to thank the program for helping them enhance their skills and follow their dreams, as well as to help other aspiring young teens to do the same. Net proceeds from Hello Follies! will benefit the Fairfield Follies Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization responsible for producing the annual Follies show and promoting and supporting theatrical and musical arts education in the region.
Established in 2000, Fairfield Follies has impacted the
lives of more than 1,000 high school students from the greater Bridgeport area and throughout Fairfield
County. The “Follies experience” allows a highly
diverse group of teens to work together in developing both individual performance skills and professional collaboration capabilities that truly last a lifetime. The program guides and supports these talented young people to put on three highly acclaimed performances in the Spring of each year.
Auditions for this year’s Fairfield Follies will be conducted in
February.
The Hello Follies! benefit will take place at 7:30PM at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport. Tickets, priced at $40, can be reserved by calling the box office at 203-576-1636. Tickets will be held at the box office for pick-up prior to the performance. Tasty boxed dinners (choice of grilled chicken, sliced sirloin of beef, or vegetarian) can be ordered for $15 if order is included with ticket purchase.
Audience members can also bring their own food. Beverages, desserts and snacks will be available for purchase at the theatre. The Downtown Cabaret is easily accessed off of Exit 2 on the Route 8/25 Connector and offers attended parking for $2. The doors will open at 6:45 for those wishing to start their dinners before the show. The snow date is Jan. 30th.
It’s been written that Jerry Herman’s music and lyrics have kept audiences “tapping their feet, humming
along, and wiping their eyes with tears of joy for generations.” This will be evident at this Follies benefit performance as the audience will be entertained
with sparkling renditions of the thrilling show-stopping songs from these musicals, as well as such beautifully evocative tunes as “It Only Takes a Moment,” “Bosom
Buddies,” “Time Heals Everything,” “The Best of Times,” “I Am What I Am,” and “Before the Parade Passes By.” The show will be produced by Marje Tracy, the creator of the Fairfield Follies and president of its Foundation, and directed by Christopher Rich, a professional musical director and composer who has worked at Long Wharf Theatre and other regional venues.
Seating for this memorable one-night performance is
limited, so early reservations are highly recommended. More information about Follies, including performance schedules, and tax-deductible financial support
opportunities can be found on the website www.fairfieldfollies.org.
