Broadway Ray Matching Funds Drive Raises Record Funds To Support The Algonquin

Record crowds at the Algonquin's July production of Beauty & The Beast provided unprecedented support for the annual Broadway Ray Match, raising a record $37,336 in funds to support the theatre.

More patrons - 4,975 in all - than ever before experienced this summer's blockbuster musical. At intermission, "Broadway Ray" Soehngen, Brick, personally appeared at all 10 performances to appeal to the audience to support this matching fund drive.

The audience 'rose' to the occasion, donating a total of $13,688 during the three week run of performances. Broadway Ray matched the audience portion of the gift and presented a check for $13,688 to the theatre last week. Broadway Ray's former employer, GE, has pledged to match up to $10,000 donated by Broadway Ray to bring the total amount raised this year to $37,336.

This is the fifth matching fund drive supported by Broadway Ray since 2013, and the funds will be used to support the Algonquin's education programs and underwrite the cost of the Algonquin Youth Ensemble.

This year's contributions bring the total donated through Broadway Ray matching funds campaigns to more than $155,000.

Soehngen, a long-time resident of Wall who now resides in Brick, runs bus trips to see Broadway shows in New York City. He has a gift for helping organizations raise much needed funds and giving back to his community. These include include Brick Children's Community Theater (BCCT), Exit 82 Theatre Company (Toms River), Ocean County Vocational/Technical Performing Arts Academy (OCVTS/PAA), Manasquan High School Drama Club, and Algonquin Arts Theatre.

Financial support from individuals, organizations and corporations are critical for both operating and making capital improvements to Algonquin Arts Theatre. For more information on how you can support the theatre, please call the Algonquin Box Office at 732-528-9211 or visit algonquinarts.org.

Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501c(3) non-profit center for performing arts, providing cultural enrichment and arts education for residents and visitors of Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore through high quality performances and programs in theatre, music, dance and film.

Located in Manasquan, N.J., AAT is an integral part of the Shore Region, offering broad access to arts experiences across multiple disciplines. Deeply committed to education, AAT serves students of all ages not only through art and music instruction, but also through the unique communal conversation that exists between audience member and performer. The theatre provides a platform for local and regional performers to showcase their work and offers audiences the opportunity to engage very directly and personally in the arts, fostering gr eater participation and providing an engaging means for exploring personal and societal issues through the world of the stage.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding is also provided by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the PNC Foundation, the Horizon Foundation of New Jersey, the OceanFirst Foundation, the Investors Bank Foundation, the Provident Bank Foundation and the generosity of our patrons.