Interfaith MLK Fundraiser in Fifth Year

When Westport's Dorothy Bryce died last spring, there was speculation on what would happen to the annual interfaith fundraising program she founded honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Dorothy was the driving force behind this event," notes the Rev. Frank Hall of the Unitarian Church of Westport. "She created the Martin Luther King event to raise awareness of diversity as well as funds for her favorite charities. It had become an occasion that was marked on the interfaith calendar. People wondered whether this would continue without her."

Thankfully, as veteran performer Bryce may have said, the show will go on. This year's event, presented by the Interfaith Council of Westport-Weston, will be directed by her daughter-in-law, Jodi Stevens-Bryce (www.jodistevens.com), and will once again feature musicians, dancers, soloists, actors and clergy from Westport's churches and synagogues.

Now in its fifth year, the program will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17, at the United Methodist Church, 49 Weston Road, in Westport. There is no charge for admission but a goodwill offering will be taken to support the work of A Better Chance of Westport (www.abetterchanceofwestport.org/) and Janus House (www.ccgb.org/janushouse.htm). A Better Chance selects motivated students from educationally disadvantaged areas and offers them an opportunity to live in the Westport community and participate in its activities and attend Staples High School. Janus House, in Bridgeport, works with children in crisis. The offering will be divided equally between the two organizations.

"Jodi has put this event together with love for her mother-in-law," reports Rebecca Hayward, who is co-chairman of the program. "Dorothy Bryce was special to everyone who knew her and Jodi has done an incredible job in planning this event. It was very important to her to get young participants involved in this production and to make this show  lively and upbeat. This will be a wonderful  event for the entire family."

Stevens-Bryce is no stranger to the musical stage. She was in the original Broadway casts of Jekyll & Hyde (as Lucy) and Urban Cowboy (as Pam).  Her Off-Broadway credits include I Can Get It For You Wholesale, The Scarlett Pimpernel, Eliot Ness in Cleveland,  Body Shop and Antigone: The Musical. She has performed a one-woman cabaret show, A Broad's Way, at New York's Metropolitan Room and currently is in rehearsal for a  production of Under Fire: The Musical," portraying the female lead, Claire.

As director of the Jan. 17 fundraiser, Stevens-Bryce has created an event that will feature both contemporary and spiritual musical performances.

"When I took the reigns of this production I wanted to cool it up a bit," Stevens-Bryce said. "This event incorporates all congregations from Westport and the production is aimed at a multi-generational audience. We are crossing borders to educate and celebrate. One of the new elements this year is using multimedia to make this a unifying event. "

Highlights of the program will include music by The God Squad, a teen-age jazz/rock group that represents Greens Farms Congregational Church and will be directed by actor Tom Wiggin (http://www.soap-news.com/atwt/a/wiggin.htm). Cantor Richard Silverman of Temple Israel will perform his original song "The King is Dead." A Better Chance students Marquell Washington and Jahari Dodd will read poetry and Tisha Jermin and her Moving in Grace Ministry, representing United Methodist Church, will perform a liturgical dance.

In addition, there will be a monologue given by actress Kimberly Wilson, who represents Norfield Congregational Church; songs by Shir Fun, a children's choir directed by Cantor Laura Berman of the Conservative Synagogue; three musical numbers sung by an interfaith chorus; a violin solo by Sam Weiser of the Conservative Synagogue; a poetry reading by Rev. Hall, and Rev. John Danner, of Saugatuck Congregational Church, will sing the Blessing.

This year's production also will feature a special segment honoring Dorothy Bryce. The tribute is being planned by Stevens-Bryce and, her husband, actor/producer/director Scott Bryce (http://www.us.imdb.com/name/nm0117302/). Their son, Jackson, age 3, also will participate.

"The tribute will include Dorothy's signature song, 'Over the Rainbow,'" said Stevens-Bryce. "Madison Dodds, 9, of New York, who had a special friendship with Dorothy will play the song on the piano. After Dorothy died, Madison learned the song and played it in a talent show in Dorothy's honor.

"Scott will share stories about his mother about the impact that racism had on her life and how she faced it head on," she continued. "For the finale, Jackson will start off an a cappella version of 'This Little Light of Mine' that will end with audience participation. There will be instruments placed under church pew seats and so that the audition can join in as one big jam session. It will be a fun and interactive way to end the production."

Steven-Bryce notes that this production has significance to her entire family, "It means a lot to my husband that I am doing this," she said. "Dorothy and I were very close. We had common careers and she and I had an extraordinary relationship. I think she would be pleased that I am directing this show. As I work on this project, I feel like I am with her and it makes me feel closer to her. I miss her."

She adds, "Dorothy had friends of all ages who will perform in this show. When I stepped in to direct, I came across a tremendous pool of talent."

Hall is pleased that the family has taken the reigns of the production "Dorothy was a force to be reckoned with," he said. "She gave a spirit to the program and her enthusiasm was always contagious. This production has become a local tradition and we are glad that Scott and Jodi picked up the ball to continue her work. This event is a legacy that lives on in her honor."

Following the program, a reception will be held in the social hall hosted by members of the Interfaith Council.

The purpose of the Interfaith Council of Westport-Weston is to promote a climate of understanding and respect for the many religious traditions, to work together to foster the religious values we hold in common, and to speak to contemporary issues affecting our community.

The entire community is welcome to attend. For additional information, call Rev. Edward Horne at 203-227-4707.

 About Dorothy Bryce

Dorothy Bryce, who passed away on May 21, 2009, at the age of 85, was born in New York City. She was one of six children of theatrical parents. Her father, David Macalister Mayne (called "Lester"), was a talent scout for the Keith-Albee Vaudeville circuit. He booked shows for New York's Palace Theatre where as a young girl Dorothy met many famous people, including Mae West and the Marx Brothers.

Her mother, Alice Hurley, worked for the Selznick Family in silent motion pictures in Fort Lee, N.J. Dorothy, her three sisters and her two brothers sang together as the Mayne Choristers and regularly performed in the Hammond Organ Company showroom window at West 47th St. and Broadway (now the TKTS booth) promoting the use of the Hammond organ in living rooms.

They appeared at the World's Fair in 1939 and sang at Grand Central Station during Easter and Christmas weeks. Their last appearance was at Grant's Tomb on a Memorial Day weekend with Eleanor Roosevelt placing wreaths on the trees.

Her performing career included roles ranging from a nun to a dope addict. She founded the Greenwich Mews Playhouse on West 13th Street and called the group "The Thirteen Players." She produced and played roles in productions of plays and musicals including "Antigone," "Kind Lady," "The Guardsman," "There's Always Juliet" and "The Green Bay Tree." She hired a leading man named Edward Bryce (www.solarguard.com/strongintro.htm), and they married and had three sons.

In the early days of live television, she was featured on many prime-time shows and had a one-year stint on Dave Garroway's "Today Show" and on "The Home Show" with Hugh Downs and Arlene Francis. She also performed in dozens of television commercials. While raising her children she appeared in a variety of daytime serials.

She also worked in regional and dinner theaters, with her favorite role being Bessie in the musical "Tobacco Road" at the Westport Country Playhouse.  She also played leading roles in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Bells Are Ringing," "Man Of La Mancha" and "The Sound Of Music." She produced and performed in the 70^th-anniversary show of the Westport Country Playhouse sponsored by the Westport Historical Society and in the "Stars In Our Eyes" Cabaret at the playhouse.

Most recently, she won the award for Best Actress at the Breckenridge Film Festival for her role in Glacier Bay (http://www.myspace.com/openthegatepictures), a short film about Alzheimer's disease.

 She lived in Westport for more than 40 years, and had organized fundraising events including cabaret shows and other special events for the causes in which she believed so strongly. 

She  was predeceased by her husband, to whom she was married for more than 50 years. In addition to Scott, Jodi and Jackson, she is survived by David, of Weston and his wife, Genie, and daughter Heather and Philip, of Ridgefield, and his wife, Martha, and son David.