Date: Jan 11, 2010

Hofstra University Presents a Support Our Scholarships (SOS) Benefit Performance "Night of Broadway Stars"

Honoring Joseph Corcoran '82, Principal, Joe Corcoran Productions, and Co-Founder, TheaterMania.com

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University will present a Night of Broadway Stars, a Support Our Scholarships (SOS) benefit performance, on Saturday, February 6, 2010, at 8 p.m. at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse. The show will feature some of Broadway’s most memorable songs from its biggest hit shows, including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll & Hyde, Hair and Mamma Mia! The evening’s honoree is Joseph Corcoran, Hofstra Class of 1982. Corcoran is principal of Joe Corcoran Productions and co-founder of TheaterMania.com.

Tickets for this event are $125 (business attire suggested). Tickets include a dessert reception at the Hofstra University Club following the performance. Different levels of sponsorship are available, including the “Marquis,” “Great White Way,” “Times Square, “Imperial,” “Broadway” and “Platinum” packages.

For reservations and additional information contact Kristin Ehrling, special events coordinator, Office for Development and Alumni Affairs, at (516) 463-5339 or Kristin.Ehrling@hofstra.edu.

In 1988 Joe Corcoran left a lucrative job at Bear Stearns on Wall Street to enter the entertainment industry. He and his brother, Dan, acquired the worldwide rights to produce, license and authorize performances of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, which was originally conceived by Hofstra drama graduates Mark Nasser ’81 and Nancy Cassaro ’81. A brand-new, 25th anniversary production is currently being written where audiences will get a look at the happy couple as they renew their vows.

In 1999 Corcoran founded TheaterMania.com, which has since become a household name in theater news, listings, editorial works and ticketing systems. His next project is a musical based on the novel and film Doctor Zhivago, set to open in Australia in early 2011.

Lead Sponsors for Hofstra’s Night of Broadway Stars

The sponsors of this event currently include Platinum sponsor James C. Metzger ’83 and Broadway Sponsor Marilyn Monter ’76, chair of the Hofstra Board of Trustees.

Jim Metzger and Joe Corcoran were lacrosse teammates at both Hofstra and at Half Hollow Hills High School, where they played for Louis DiBlasi ’61.
 
“Joe Corcoran is a kind, passionate, creative individual whom I have always admired and respected,” said Metzger. “Our relationship has spanned more than 35 years from our days as student-athletes at Half Hollow Hills High School and Hofstra University, and it has continued to remain strong throughout our lives.  I have always been impressed with Joe’s willingness to take risks, stay inspired and follow his own path.”

Metzger, chairman and CEO of The Whitmore Group, is a former lacrosse All-American at both Hofstra University and Half Hollow Hills High School and is one of Hofstra athletics’ leading benefactors. Metzger’s donations include The Royle-Sombrotto Locker Room and The Hallway Traditions Project – which celebrates the history of the men’s and women’s lacrosse and football programs. Metzger’s support also carries over into the academic side of the campus as he recently funded a summer internship within the Center for Civic Engagement in honor of History Professor Michael D’Innocenzo.

Cast of Night of Broadway Stars (subject to change)

Ron Bohmer has starred on Broadway and national tour as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard, the swashbuckling hero The Scarlet Pimpernel, Alex in Aspects Of Love, the evil Sir Percival Glyde in The Woman in White, Enjolras in Les Miserables, and Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof. He recently completed a 64 week tour of the U.S. and Canada, starring as Coach Bolton in the cultural phenomenon, Disney’s High School Musical.

Carter Calvert appeared in the Great American Trailer Park Musical as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival and in Forbidden Vegas at the Westin Casuarina Hotel in Las Vegas. Previously she was seen off Broadway in The Thing About Men at the Promenade Theatre. Other New York credits include the Broadway, off-Broadway and touring productions of It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues in a role she originated. Ms. Calvert toured Europe in Smokey Joe's Cafe and appeared as the title role in Always, Patsy Cline.

Rita Harvey recently starred in the role of Hodel in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof starring Rosie O'Donell and Harvey Fierstein. She made her Broadway debut performing the lead role of Christine Daee in The Phantom of the Opera, after two years performing the role with the second national tour. Rita created the role of Lady Edith in the off Broadway hit musical The Prince and the Pauper. Rita also created the role of Elizabeth in the highly acclaimed concept CD/DVD of Frankenstein the Musical.

Brad Little has appeared in a number of Broadway and touring productions. He made his national debut in 1988 in the United States national tour of Anything Goes as Billy Crocker. The next year, he took the role of Perchik in the Broadway and national tour productions of Fiddler on the Roof in 1993, he played Captain De Castel Jaloux in Cyrano the Musical. In 1994 Brad joined the cast of The Phantom of the Opera as Raoul. In 1996, he joined the musical’s national tour as the title role of the Phantom. Brad has played the role of the Phantom over 2,000 times in theaters across America, on Broadway, and in Asia since 1997.

Ray McLeod has performed in more than 200 different musical productions including, most recently, The Dance of the Vampires, starring Michael Crawford. He began his Broadway career by originating the role of Simon Stride in Jekyll & Hyde. He also appeared in Wonderful Town with Donna Murphy, Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party with Taye Diggs, the 20th anniversary tour of Evita with Raul Esparza and Natalie Toro, and 2008’s Camelot with the New York Philharmonic starring Gabriel Byrne, Christopher Lloyd and Fran Drescher.

About Hofstra University

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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