Our own Director of Development & Marketing John Sheehy talks with David Sisco from the Contemporary Musical Theatre blog. The discussion is about the One-on-Ones in general and even includes a link to the July performance of John’s Clown Time Is Over from the July production of HERE. ME. NOW.

Check it out here:

https://contemporarymusicaltheatre.wordpress.com/2015/08/20/interview-john-sheehy-from-52nd-street-project/

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our wonderful, invaluable and devoted Board Member John Vassilaros this past Friday evening, July 10th. He went peacefully, surrounded by his family. We will be eternally indebted to him and his family, who have been enthusiasticly involved with the Project for more than a decade. John Vassilaros (sometimes known as Johnny Coffeeshopolis) has been more than generous, not just financially, and as a wise and valued member of the board, but perhaps most valuably opening the family home to us twice a year for both Playmaking and Playback.

We are humbled to accept yet another gesture of generosity from these extraordinary people. Anyone wishing to remember him with a donation can do so through our website here, or clicking “You Can Help!” on our home page.

To say he will be missed is an understatement.

The beloved summer productions of the One-on-Ones are in process. Tickets for the August shows HERE. ME. NOW., The Present Plays, 8/21-8/23/15 have just become available. Click the yellow “GET TKTS!” button in the left column, or on our homepage or look under Productions & Events in the menus above for more information or to make your reservation immediately. Shows are Friday & Saturday at 7:30, and Sunday at 3:00. As always, the shows are free.

Artwork by Patrick Jones, color by George Babiak.

The latest issue of Fivey, the annual magazine written and illustrated by the kids of The 52nd Street Project, is here. Click above to download Issue #17, The Memorable Issue.

The Dancemaking program will come to its conclusion on Thursday and Friday, April 23 & 24 at the Five Angels Theater with free presentations of all new dances at 7 p.m.

Eight Project kids have been taking classes in movement, dance and choreography. They have come up with original dances that they will perform with their adult partners. The show is free. Tickets are available by clicking Get Tkts! on our website or visiting https://52project.secure.force.com/ticket

There’s a lovely interview with long-time Project photographer Stephanie Berger in this issue of PDN (Photo District News). There are also many samples of her amazing work that accompany the article. You can see some of her documentation of Project trips in the black & white photos in the lobby of the Five Angels Theater … and look for her work in the invitation for this year’s Project Benefit, FANCY THAT, coming to a mailbox near you in early April.

Yay, Stephanie.

http://digitalmag.pdnonline.com/pdnonline/april_2015/?pg=17&pm=1&u1=friend&article_id=573567#pg17

Former Project Production Manager and long time volunteer Jerry McGill has written an article which was published in the Sunday Business Week section. (He even mentions his stint at the Proj.)

Click here to read the article.

He’s an inspiration in MANY ways and we’re proud to know him.

Tickets are going FAST for the Project shows this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s an all new Playmaking production, which means 9 plays written by 9 & 10 year-olds and directed and performed by an amazing array of adults. Come see work featuring Sofiya Akilova, Lauren Blumenfeld, Michael Braun, Maren Bush, Bill Camp, Tina Chilip, Dylan Dawson, Bjorn DuPaty, Arielle Goldman, Jessica Hecht, Jennifer Ikeda, Kareem M. Lucas, Nick Mills, Christina Pumariega, Joshua David Robinson, David Shih, Mirirai Sithole, & Sathya Sridharan. The directors areAlex Barron, Ka-Ling Cheung, Gretchen Hall, Kel Haney, Alexandra O’Daly, Tasha Gordon-Solmon, Tim J. Lord, Don Nguyen, & John Sheehy. And there’s original music by Kim D. Sherman.

You’ll encounter a singing ostrich & a foosball champion polar bear; a motorcycle cop & bad driver; a fire-superhero & a water-supervillain; and a 1 ft. tall box & a pig with hair like Elvis. There’s even a food fight at the Poorphanage.

Shows are Friday, December 5 @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 6 @ 3 & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, December 7 @ 3 p.m.

Click “Get Tickets” under the Productions & Events menu above!

Art by Iris A. Brown

Do you know Shirley Rumierk? Wanna know her better?

She’s one of our wonderful success stories (and an amazing board member). Shirley has been profiled by The Oliver Scholars Program. It’s a great piece about her, and her journey and her involvement with the Project.

You can check it out HERE: http://oliverscholars.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/from-hells-kitchen-to-harvard