Orange native Connor Deane made himself a name locally in the Amity High School Drama Department with key roles in its Spring musicals, Grease, Rent, and of course the unforgettable production of Les Miserables.
He learned more about his craft and the behind the scenes aspects of the theater business at college before returning to Connecticut and starting a very popular school, the Broadway Method Academy with his friend J. Scott Handley..
After the CT High School Musical Awards ended, Deane, knowing the importance of that program, started, along with other like-minded colleagues, the Sondheim Awards, which honors the best of the best in High School Musicals, including best director, costume designer, student orchestra, etc.
The Broadway Method Academy offers students comprehensive, award-winning training in acting, singing, and dancing and a structured, professional experience of auditioning, rehearsing and performing in wonderful productions close by in Fairfield County.
Next month the hard-working cast will show off its talents in the musical “Newsies” at the Westport Country Playhouse.
Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy, and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!
Presented by Broadway Method Academy, Newsies will feature 40 BMA students from the area, as well as Broadway professionals and an 11-piece live orchestra.
Performances are on Friday, Feb. 7, 7-9:30 p.m.; Saturday Feb. 8, 1:30-4 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 9, 1:30-4 p.m.; and Friday, Feb. 14, 7-9:30 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, January 8 at noon and will be available via the Westport Country Playhouse Box Office.