‘Broadway’ show was fundraiser too

BY JESSICA LYONS

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:08 PM EDT

While Broadway Blockbusters presented “100 Years of Broadway” at Flushing Town Hall, it not only gave audiences insight into the history of Broadway but also raised money to benefit The Josephine Foundation.

Broadway Blockbusters gives program participants a chance to work with professionals and benefit from training and performing. Producer Andrew Joseph Koslosky said that the high-level shows are then taken to audiences at affordable ticket prices.

The seven performances of “100 Years of Broadway” that took place at Flushing Town Hall in August marked the first time that Broadway Blockbusters has been at the venue since 2004.

“There are many different diverse audiences coming out now,” said Clyde Bullard, the show’s Associate Producer who also played in the band. He also said, “At intermission they’re already satisfied and enjoying it and anticipating the second half.”

Koslosky said that the audience reaction was magnificent, adding that people knew the songs from the Tin Pan Alley era all the way up to songs from shows currently on Broadway. He also described “100 Years of Broadway” as “two hours and 15 minutes of wonderful music.”

The show, which was professionally choreographed, began with songs from the early years of Broadway before moving onto the “golden years.” It also featured songs from many shows currently on Broadway, such as “Hair,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Wicked.”

Proceeds from the show will benefit The Josephine Foundation, which was started in 2002 after Koslosky’s mother passed away. It “was created to provide opportunity for music and arts programs, encouraging people of all backgrounds, regardless of color, race or creed, via grants and scholarships, to become involved in the performing arts in their schools, places of worship, communities and professional opportunities,” according to information about the organization.

“If we can teach them how to follow their dreams, we’ve got something,” said Koslosky, who is the chairman of the organization’s board. He continued, “The idea there is that we believe…if we give people an opportunity to follow their dreams everything can be equal and they can achieve what they need to achieve.”

Koslosky noted that The Josephine Foundation gives out 100 percent of the funds it raises. The organization helps in a variety of ways, whether it is giving out scholarships, teaching kids to stay fit through fun activities or by providing various forms of assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Bullard, who is also a Board member of The Josephine Foundation, said that Broadway Blockbusters will return in the future with the original production “Viva Las Broadway,” which he explained is a retrospective of great moments on Broadway and in Las Vegas.

For more information on The Josephine Foundation or Broadway Blockbusters, visit www.thejosephinefoundation.com.