Broadway Comes To Westchester For Music Conservatory Of Westchester's Annual Golf And Tennis Classic

For its 17th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic, Music Conservatory of Westchester is bringing the Great White Way to Westchester!

On June 25 at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY, the not-for-profit White Plains, NY community music school will follow up last year's historically successful fundraiser with a Broadway benefit event also celebrating the 5th anniversary of its Healing Our Heroes music therapy program for military veterans. After a day of golf and tennis, Tony Award winners Roger Bart and Randy Graff will represent Broadway's best as special honorees for each of their 30 years of extensive and impressive work in the performing arts. Clearly, the Music Conservatory of Westchester knows how to organize a "Classic" event worthy of a standing ovation.

"It's such a thrill to have so many Broadway luminaries perform for us over the years in support of our programs," Conservatory Executive Director Jean Newton said of the legacy that the organization's Annual Golf and Tennis Classic events hold. "This year's line-up has so much star power we're looking forward to exceeding last year's record-breaking proceeds."

Roger Bart will be honored with the Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award at the benefit event. He won the Tony award for his notable portrayal of Snoopy in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Also known for his performances in The Producers as Carmen Ghia, for which he earned Tony and Drama Desk nominations, and played that role in both the stage and film productions. In his successful career on Broadway, he originated the roles of Harlequin in Triumph of Love, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein and Tony in Disaster!. He can currently be seen on Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events, opposite fellow Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, and on the new Epix series Graves, starring opposite Nick Nolte and Sela Ward.

"It's such an honor and privilege to be invited to the Music Conservatory of Westchester's 17th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic and to be a part of an event that touches so many lives in such an extraordinary way," honoree Roger Bart said of anticipating being awarded for his distinguished achievement in the arts. "If you are looking for me on the golf course on June 25th, you'll find me in the woods searching for my ball. Can't wait!"

Randy Graff, Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for her performance in City of Angels, will receive the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award from the Music Conservatory of Westchester. She received Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for her role in A Class Act. Ms. Graff created the role of Fantine in Les Misérables with the original Broadway cast, a distinction of her extensive career. Her other Broadway credits include Fiddler On The Roof, Neil Simon's Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Moon Over Buffalo with Carol Burnett, Falsettos, High Society, and Grease. She has performed roles at Lincoln Center Theatre and in the renowned Sondheim Festival at The Kennedy Center. Currently on the Musical Theatre faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, she teaches vocal performance to the next generation of Broadway stars.

"To be honored by [this] beautiful organization that is based on the healing power of the arts, is just what the doctor ordered!" Tony Award winner and honoree Randy Graff said. "I am humbled and grateful."

The star-studded evening doesn't end there! Unforgettable cabaret performances from three-time Tony Award nominee Kevin Chamberlin and two-time Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber will entertain guests throughout the award ceremony and dinner. Host of Sirius XM Radio's On Broadway channel, Christine Pedi, will emcee the event.

"Our event is truly a win-win for our guests," Newton continued. "They get a day of golf or tennis at a gorgeous club and a fabulous star-studded dinner, all to support a great cause."

Proceeds from the Music Conservatory of Westchester's 17th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic will support its Healing Our Heroes music therapy program benefiting military veterans with combat-related injuries, as well as the school's Music Therapy Program improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities, and Scholarship Program providing students from financially-deserving families with access to quality music training. To purchase tickets, visit www.mcwevents.org.

For more information about this event and the Music Conservatory of Westchester, please contact Adriana Rivera, Communications and Development Assistant, at Adriana@musiced.org or 914-761-3900 x135.

The Music Conservatory of Westchester was founded in 1929 by a group of community members and renowned artists. Today, the Conservatory provides the extraordinary benefits of music to all in our community, from absolute beginners to advanced artists, with one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, composition, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults, and free community performances, serving 2,900 students each year from 4 months to over 80 years old. As a not-for-profit organization, the Conservatory is dedicated to serving the community and reaching out to those who would not otherwise have access. Our Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance for financially deserving students. The Music Therapy Institute brings music into the lives of 1,900 children and adults with disabilities each year through on-site and outreach programs. Healing Our Heroes offers military veterans a specialized music therapy program to help with recovery after their service. The Conservatory has inspired generations of students, and contributed to a vibrant musical life in the county, the region, and beyond.