DATE: June 30, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Jody Horne-Leshinsky
Broward Cultural Division
PHONE: 954-357-7463
EMAIL: jleshinsky@broward.org
We know them as neighbors
We know them as friends
We know them as people we work with
Now we know them as….
"WE" Broward County, FL --- More that 100 talented artists from our community have earned coveted roles in "The Show of the Century"... After months of auditioning thousands of aspiring individuals, Broadway Director and Cirque Dreams Creator, Neil Goldberg presented the multi-talented and diverse cast of "WE." His highly anticipated Broadway-style show will be the pinnacle of Broward's yearlong centennial celebration, Broward 100 - Celebrating the Art of Community.
At a news conference on Friday, June 26 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the curtain rose and revealed members of the cast for the first time to the media, community leaders, elected officials and sponsors.
The cast of "WE," consists of brilliantly talented South Florida musicians, dancers, poets, choirs, athletes and variety acts ranging in age from 9-70+ including:
Brandon Goldberg 9 Year Old Pianist N. Miami
Reif Howey 9 Year Old Hip Hop Dancer Plantation
Diana & Andrea Pombo 9 & 11 Year Old Sisters, Contemporary Dancers Miami
Maisy Surman 12 Year Old Singer, Actress Davie
Ella Noriega 13 Year Old Pop Singer Davie
Nick Aquilino 17 Year Old Pop/R&B Singer Boca Raton
Marnino Toussaint 19 Year Old Poet, Rapper Miramar
Quency Gordon 21 Year Old Actor, Hip-Hop Dancer Coral Springs
Michael Angelo Gonzalez Singer/Actor Miami
Whitney Deal Actress Fort Lauderdale
Ben Bagby Tap, Voice, Music Producer Plantation
Craig Strang Singer Plantation
Emmanuel Aderele African Percussionist Pompano Beach
Amaleke Bradley Hip Hop Dancer Miami
Susan Davis Poet, Professor at NSU Pembroke Pines
Ann Hallett Singer, Actress Fort Lauderdale
Tim Hawkins Singer, Guitarist Plantation
Randy Corinthian Saxophonist Fort Lauderdale
Yasa Poletaeva &
Darren Matias Concert Violinist & Piano Duo Boca Raton
Fushu Daiko 16 Taiko Drummers Coral Springs
Kelly Academy of Irish Dance 14 Irish Step Dancers Pompano Beach
Nuria Martinez &
Armando Orzuza Tango Dance Couple Plantation
Gateway Community Church 40 Member Gospel Choir Fort Lauderdale
Sean Defreitas 12 Designs by Sean, Carnivale Costumes Fort Lauderdale
The two hour show will also feature celebrity recording artists and stars of Broadway and television in an immersive, multi-media and theatrical journey through decades of Broward County's growth, diversity and the community "WE" call home.
The performance of "WE" will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Au-Rene Theatre.
As a thank-you for producing this monumental show as a gift to the community, Broward County Mayor Tim Ryan presented Goldberg with the "Key to the County" at the news conference.
"Neil is a stellar example of the talent, passion and generosity we have right here in our community," said Ryan. "We are so fortunate to have a treasure of his magnitude living in Broward County," Ryan added.
Jan Goodheart, Vice President External Affairs, Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Sheri S. Brown, Vice President Grants & Initiatives, The Community Foundation of Broward , praised Goldberg for his contributions. Both proudly acknowledged that "WE" will showcase the many talents Broward County has to offer and further enhance Broward County's reputation as a cultural destination.
Goldberg, also, announced that on the night of the show, the audience will vote for their favorite local performer who will win a $10,000 cash prize sponsored by the Neil Goldberg Dream Foundation. Additionally, the Foundation will award each of the five runners up with $1000 cash prizes.
"It is exciting and humbling to produce, collaborate and enrich so many extraordinary talents in our community and bring them together in "WE"…The Passion & Rhythm of the People" said Goldberg.
Ticket prices range from $25 - $85, not including service or handling charges, and are available through Ticketmaster, online at BrowardCenter.org, in person at Broward Center's AutoNation Box Office or by calling 954 462-0222.
VIP Dinner & Ticket packages are $160 and include front orchestra seating and pre-show dinner in the Mary N. Porter Ballroom from 7-7:45 PM.
"WE" is presented by Broward 100 as part of the grand finale, Duende. In the spirit of celebrating creativity, Duende will bring together Broward County's diverse talent and people in a countywide finale. Thousands of people will celebrate Duende with Broward County's 100th birthday through a mosaic of art, culture, and entertainment.
About Neil Goldberg
Cirque Dreams Founder, Broadway Director, Theatrical Producer
The New York Daily News proclaims "There have only been a hand full of shows that have generated an exclamation point as assertive as the ones created and directed by Neil Goldberg."
To date, Neil Goldberg's imaginative entertainment, unique productions and creative shows have been presented in more than 350 U.S. cities, 20 countries and attended by over 50 million people. Now in its 21st year, Goldberg's world renowned Cirque Dreams entertainment brand has garnered the praise of critics throughout the country including USA Today, New York Times, CNN, Today Show and Fox and Friends. His shows have appeared on Broadway, the Kennedy Center and in partnerships with Broadway Across America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Sony ATV Music, Armed Forces Entertainment, Disney, Busch Gardens and Six Flags Theme Parks, MGM, Hard Rock, Harrah's, Caesars and Hilton Hotels and Casinos worldwide. Goldberg has designed and created productions for two Super Bowls, the NBA, Miss Universe, NBC, ABC, CBS and 2 PBS Television specials. He's produced and directed shows with Marvin Hamlisch and the National Symphony, YoungArts 25th celebration at Bayfront Park, NYC's Ziegfeld Theatre & MoMA, Broward Center's 20th Anniversary, and AmEx's Centennial Celebration. Also produced shows for Fortune 500 companies including Exxon Mobil, GM, McKesson, GE, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Met Life and IBM. In So Florida, Neil conceived, owned and operated Parties by Neil, Entertainment Etc, Creative Cloths, the Zanadu Dance Company and other creative entities that were a conglomerate of one of the country's largest full-service entertainment, management and theatrical production companies. His 20,000 sq. ft. Dream Studios production complex in Pompano Beach, FL designs, develops, rehearses, produces and manufactures every entertainment component in each of his shows from music to costumes. The Neil Goldberg Dream Foundation was established to support and enrich the pursuit of young artists and dreams.
About Broward Center for the Performing Arts
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is the destination of choice in South Florida for spectacular entertainment. Ranking among the top ten most-visited theaters in the world, the Center presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 600,000 patrons. Overlooking the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, this premier performing arts venue hosts Broadway musicals, operas, ballets, concerts, plays, multi-cultural performances, lectures, workshops and educational events; and it offers one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, serving more than 150,000 students annually.
About Broward 100 - Celebrating the Art of Community Partners
'Broward 100 - Celebrating the Art of Community' is a yearlong, community-wide celebration that began in October 2014. Broward 100 will commemorate Broward County's centennial with bold, innovative art and performance projects that attract visitors and bring Broward residents together using our arts, sports and recreation venues, natural attractions and incredible diversity to creatively bridge, bond and build their communities. The celebration will be steeped in historical perspective and more importantly, will look toward the future. For more information, email Broward100@broward.org. Follow Broward 100 on Facebook.com/BrowardCounty100, Twitter.com/Broward100, and Instagram.com/BrowardArts.
About the Broward Cultural Division
Broward Cultural Division is a local arts agency, one of thousands across the U.S. providing financial, technical and marketing assistance to artists and arts organizations. Broward County has more than 1.8 million residents, 13.4 million visitors, 10,000 artists, 6,523 arts-related businesses employing 23,497 people, 823 not-for-profit cultural organizations and 31 cities, some of which operate their own arts councils and public art programs. For more information about the Broward Cultural Division, call 954-357-7457.
Please visit the Broward 100 Partners and Sponsors webpage for further information on each.
About Broward 100 - Celebrating the Art of Community Partners
About the Broward Cultural Division
About the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
About the Community Foundation of Broward
About Wells Fargo
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Sponsors
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