From Broadway to Hollywood Fundraiser for Saugus Cultural Arts Center

The MEG Foundation, the group that is restoring the old Marleah E. Graves Elementary School in Cliftondale, to be used as the Saugus Cultural Arts Center, is hosting a performance of From Broadway to Hollywood, A Musical Journey from Stage to Screen. Presented in cooperation with the Theatre Company of Saugus, the show will go on at 7:30 PM on Friday 7 March 2008 at the VFW Hall, at 190 Main Street in Saugus. All proceeds will benefit the MEG Foundation and will be used toward the cost of providing a new heating plant for the MEG building. In addition to a selection of the outstanding musical numbers from the Broadway to Hollywood revue, many familiar faces will be featured. Special cameo appearances by well-known Saugonians will be added to the festivities, which will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies Jay Smolinsky. Among the locals who have already agree to take part are Fire Chief James Blanchard, Pastor Bob LeRoe, Parking Clerk Jackie Howard, Arthur Gustafson, Charlie and Lois Thomas, and Peter and Shirley Bogdan. Tickets for the fundraiser are $25 and include both the show and refreshments. For tickets or information, please call Janice at 781-233-7035 or Ruth at 781-233-5239. From Broadway to Hollywood, A Musical Journey from Stage to Screen, is the title of the song and dance revue first presented by the Theatre Company of Saugus in January 2008. The show features 22 musical numbers, all of which were originally presented in Broadway musicals that were later filmed in Hollywood. The song solos, duets, ensembles, and dance numbers are chosen from a list of 21 shows. The shows represented include: Annie, Anything Goes, Applause, Bye Bye Birdie, Cabaret, Carnival, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Damn Yankees, Easter Parade, 42nd Street, Funny Girl, Girl Crazy, How to Succeed in Business, Kiss Me Kate, Mame, Oklahoma, Rent, Singin' in the Rain, Sound of Music, and West Side Story. The revue is cconceived and directed by Leo Nickole, emeritus professor of musical theatre at Emerson College. Musical direction is by Nancy Lemoine, drama and choral director at Saugus High School. The choreographer is Terri Bater, the stage manager is Mary Moffett, and the production is coordinated by Joanne Fafard and Hank Zappala. The cast of 37 performers includes dozens of community theatre veterans, and ranging in age from six to seventy. Many are residents of Saugus, including: Sarah Belliveau, Brian Cipoletta, Rosemary Degregorio, Autumn and Brian Dion, the Fafard family (Alexis, Amanda Allen, Ashleigh, Bill, and William), Renee Glowacki, Tess Hannify, Bobby and Sarah Imperato, Carolina Lanney, David Picariello, Tanya Portalla, Sabrina and Sherri Raftery, Sarah Thibodeau, and James Wlodyka.