Benefit Concert for the 12.14 Foundation Coming to the Newtown Area

(October 24, 2014 – Newtown, CT) – A special concert featuring the Shapiro Sisters (Abigail and Tony Award® Honoree/Grammy Award® nominee Milly), several Matildas (Paige Brady and Ava Ulloa), a Newsie (Zachary Unger), Jillian Caillouette (2 time winner of the Connecticut High School Music Theatre Awards) and cast members from all three 12.14 Foundation shows (Seussical, The 101 Dalmatians Musical and A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream) will be held at the Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT on Friday, November 7th at 7:00 pm. Proceeds will benefit the 12.14 Foundation and its mission to use the performing arts to promote healing and strength. Ticket prices for children are $10 each and adults are $15. Tickets can be purchased online at http://broadway-records.ticketleap.com/benefit-concert-for-1214-foundation or at the door.

The concert will be directed and produced by Tony Award® winner/Grammy Award® nominee, Van Dean, who also co-conceived and produced From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook and whose label, Broadway Records, released the Matilda The Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording and the forthcoming A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream recording. “Last spring, I brought the Shapiro Sisters and several of the original Matildas to Sandy Hook Elementary School. I saw the enthusiasm of the children and how meeting these young performers inspired them,” Van noted. “I wanted to bring a group of young performers back to the Newtown area and present a full concert for the children and their families to enjoy. We have many surprises in store and it will be a very memorable evening for the families of the Newtown area. I am thrilled that the proceeds from this event will benefit the 12.14 Foundation whose work with the Newtown area children has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.” The performers will be available after the show to sign autographs.

The 12.14 Foundation most recently presented the World Premiere of A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Regional Premiere of The 101 Dalmatians Musical. The Newtown area children from the cast of A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream are currently in the studio recording the World Premiere Cast Recording of the show. The album will be released in December and is available for pre-order at www.BroadwayRecords.com.

The 12.14 FOUNDATION is a non-for-profit organization formed following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School to encourage personal development through high-level performing arts programs. The Foundation provides experiences that produce a long-lasting, positive effect on the way children see themselves and the world around them.

At 14 years old, ABIGAIL SHAPIRO is currently starring in the title role in Liberty The Musical Off-Broadway. She has performed on stages across the country, including Madison Square Garden as Cindy Lou Who in How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Abigail and younger sister Milly have just released their debut CD as The Shapiro Sisters, titled “Live at 54 Below: Live Out Loud!”, following their series of cabaret performances at the famed Studio 54’s supper club, 54 Below. Abigail has also played lead roles in regional productions of numerous shows including Annie, Gypsy and The Sound of Music. Originally from Tampa, Florida, she and her sister Milly were discovered by their manager at The Entertainment Group and have since relocated to New York City to pursue careers in the theater. For more information, please visit www.ShapiroSisters.com.

MILLY SHAPIRO is a Tony Award® Winner and Grammy Award® Nominee for her role as Matilda in the original Broadway production of Matilda The Musical. She has appeared on the 67th Annual Tony Awards, Live! With Kelly and Michael, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in addition to many others. Milly, and her sister Abigail have just jointly released their debut CD as The Shapiro Sisters, titled “Live at 54 Below: Live Out Loud!”, following their series of cabaret performances at the famed Studio 54’s supper club, 54 Below. Originally from Tampa, Florida, she, and sister Abigail, were discovered by their manager at The Entertainment Group and have since relocated to New York City to pursue careers in the theater. For more information, please visit www.ShapiroSisters.com.

PAIGE BRADY Age 11, from the Philadelphia area, was elated to be making her Broadway debut in Matilda The Musical! Regional: The Music Man (Walnut Street Theatre). Paige also amuses her creative mind through art, writing, and reading. Special thanks to teachers, mentors and David Doan for their support and guidance. Love to mom, dad, sister Brooke, pug Bijou, family and friends. AVA ULLOA (age 9) was thrilled to be making her Broadway debut at the age of nine in Matilda The Musical. Theatre Credits: Numerous community productions. Thanks to all teachers and mentors for their love and support. Special thanks and gratitude to Amelia & BYE and MKS&D. Big Hugs and lots of love to Friends, Family, Mom, Dad and Scarlette.

ZACHARY UNGER is an 11 year old actor who most recently performed the role of Les in Disney’s Newsies on Broadway. He also originated the role of Young Will in Big Fish and Young Charlie in Chaplin on Broadway. Off Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along, Measure For Measure. Film: Admission, Tar, Lily, What Maisie Knew. TV: Dora The Explorer, Forever. Zach has done several concerts, workshops and readings and is grateful for the experiences and wonderful people he has the opportunity to work with. He plays guitar and loves sports, especially football and basketball.

For more information on the 12.14 Foundation, please visit www.1214foundation.org