BROADWAY Songs and Stories to Raise Funds for Naperville’s Artful IMPACT!

BROADWAY Songs and Stories to Raise
Funds for Naperville’s Artful IMPACT!

Naperville--Broadway
songs and stories will highlight “A TOAST TO BROADWAY,” a fundraising evening
for Naperville’s Artful IMPACT!  on
Thursday, October 17th, as notable Chicago-area artists take the
stage at Madden Theatre at North Central College’s Wentz Hall.  The intimate evening will include champagne, martinis,
a sumptuous dessert buffet and performances by Cory Goodrich and Elic Bramlett,
accompanied by Ross Berkley. Broadway mavens Joel and Bonni Pear will punctuate
the evening with tales and little known facts about current and classic
Broadway shows.

“This is our
first fundraiser for this new not-for-profit dedicated to making people
stronger through the arts,” said co-founding Board member Barbara Yokom, who
conceived of Artful IMPACT! with Naperville community volunteers Deborah Newman
and Nicki Scott, in cooperation with the School of Performing Arts. “We wanted
to celebrate the sheer joy of songs and stories, some old favorites, some new
surprises, while raising funds to help special needs youth, seniors, community
organizations, individuals and businesses through creative experiences.”

Artful
IMPACT! is an Illinois Not for Profit Corporation.  Current offerings include camps, classes and
a performance ensemble for special needs youth, community cabaret performances
to raise funds for Meals on Wheels, Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Silent
Samaritans and Edward Heart Hospital, and Lunch and Learn opportunities for
business leaders to bring more creativity to business.

 “The demand for our programming is
everywhere,” says co-founder Deb Newman. “Wherever we go to talk about Artful
IMPACT!, there is another idea for how the arts can help lift up an individual,
a group or a business.  Right now, we are
trying to do what we do very well, and ensure that every professional artist
delivering programs for us is paid for their work. We also know there is a need
for scholarships for participants.   Fundraising is critical to our ability to
serve the need.  The artists performing
at A Toast to Broadway are sure to add to this delightful evening.”

Cory Goodrich has most
recently been seen in TATC’s Spelling Bee
and in the Mercury Theatre’s production of Barnum. A four time Joseph Jefferson award nominee, Cory won the
best actress in a musical Jeff for her portrayal of Mother in Drury Lane
Oakbrook’s acclaimed Ragtime. Cory has been seen on stages across the country, working with such
notables as George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Lonny Price, Bea Arthur and Margaret
O’Brien; and has
performed locally at Writers’ Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott
Lincolnshire, Theatre at the Center, Apple Tree, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
and as a soloist at Ravinia and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Elic
Bramlett is an actor, writer, director, producer, and teacher who
makes his home in Naperville.  As a professional actor, Elic has worked at
The Goodman, The Lyric Opera, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, The
Royal George and Porchlight Music Theatre, where he was a founding ensemble
member.  Elic also works in Radio, Television and Film, recently acting
opposite Jennifer Connelly in the feature film, “Virginia.”  He recently
directed three local television commercials for The Chicago Bears, and is on
the teaching faculty at The School of Performing Arts. He works full-time as an
Associate Creative Director at Community Christian Church and as Artistic
Director of Epic Theatre Company and the Improv troupe, “CSI: Yellow Box.”

Ross
Berkley is a celebrated
tenor, actor and musical director, his performing credits include North
Central College Music and Opera Theatres, The Naperville Chorus, and
Chicago’s Light Opera Works. He was music director for the “Naperville
Follies” celebrating Naperville’s 175th birthday. Ross is an active
clinician, guest conductor, accompanist, educator and music consultant. He
has served as the director of choral activities at Lincoln Junior High in Naperville
for the past six years and has held directorial positions with the Young
Naperville Singers and  has also
maintained the directorship of the Naperville Chorus Chamber Singers since
2007

Tickets to A Toast to Broadway are $50 per person, with cabaret
tables of four available for $175.  To order
tickets visit www.artfulimpact.org or
call 630-717-6622.

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