The Westview News

Press Release
Broadway Live Productions Donates Proceeds from Les Misérables
Date
October 2, 2014

Broadway Live Productions and THOMASDORAN and company presented a check for $40,000 on September 30th to be evenly distributed among three local non-profit 501 (c) 3 charitable organizations: Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH), Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation (QVCC) and The Theater of Northeastern Connecticut (TNECT) at The Bradley Playhouse after spearheading the successful production of Les Misérables at The Hyde School Cultural Center in Woodstock on August 1, 2 and 3, 2014.

Earlier this year, the three organizations were chosen by Broadway Live Productions and THOMASDORAN and company owners David T. Panteleakos and James D. Kellaway as the recipients of their 2014 endeavor because of the importance in the community in the fields of health care, education and the arts. The show generated tremendous community support through a number of individual and corporate sponsorships which helped to off-set performance costs, allowing all net ticket proceeds to benefit the three community pillars.

Les Misérables is one of the most popular musicals in the world. It's been performed in 42 countries in 22 languages. The original Broadway production won eight Tony Awards and the latest film adaptation won three Oscars. Due to the popularity of the latest “Les Mis” movie, the licensing restricted rights for regional and community theaters were lifted this year and Broadway Live Productions didn’t wait One Day More to procure this ever-popular show.

“We appreciate being chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this remarkable production,” remarked Mike Gallo, TNECT President. “We understand all that it takes to put a show together of this magnitude and are grateful for the many long hours and resources of this production team, every volunteer who donated their time and talents and the overwhelming support of sponsors and attendees.”

The production attracted over 116 auditioners, which resulted in a cast of 55 performers from the local and tri-state area, backed by an orchestra of some of the area’s leading musicians. This diverse cast and crew traveled from as far as Cape Cod, Providence, Worcester, Norwich, Griswold and Willimantic to be part of this epic opportunity to exercise their creativity for the benefit of others.

“We are especially grateful to Broadway Live Productions and all of the Les Mis performers who gave of their talents to give back to the community”, said Robert Smanik, President & CEO of Day Kimball Healthcare. “This donation not only recognizes our 120th anniversary; it reminds us of the longstanding partnership between Northeast Connecticut and Day Kimball to keep our families, friends and neighbors healthy”.

Panteleakos, Co-Executive Producer of Les Mis, originally created Broadway Live Productions, LLC in 2000 to provide an outlet for creative musical production endeavors that would benefit charitable causes. Since its inception, Broadway Live has raised over $600,000 in gross ticket sales with all net proceeds benefiting 501(c)(3) non-profit charities. In 2013, Panteleakos and business partner Kellaway created THOMASDORAN and company in order to include digital media production services to enhance the venture.

“I was beyond impressed with the quality of production,” commented newly hired QVCC President Carlee Drummer. “And when I learned that the outstanding level of talent and dedication were matched with such a spirit of generosity, I knew I had arrived in a very special community. The donation that we have received will benefit many QVCC students.”

Our creativity allows us to make a difference in our community and we are pleased that so many individuals and organizations supported our efforts to see that this production and fundraiser was a success,” stated Panteleakos. “These philanthropic endeavors bring us great fulfillment”. Kellaway added, “It is a win-win to see our performers efforts met with lauded praise at the same time we see our beneficiaries’ causes sustained. We thank our caring community for helping us transform one form of support into another. To borrow a line from the Bishop in Les Misérables: ‘Though our lives are very humble / What we have, we have to share’.”

Pictured left to right: Robert Smanik; President and CEO of DKH, Pamela Watts; Director of Development for DKH, David T. Panteleakos; Executive Producer and Owner of THOMASDORAN and company, James D. Kellaway; Executive Producer and Owner of THOMASDORAN and company, Laura Crosetti; Producer, Mike Gallo; TNECT President, Tom Harney; President of QVCC Foundation, Dr. Carlee Drummer; QVCC President and Monique Wolanin; QVCC Interim Director of Community Engagement.