On March 30th, 2009, The Theresa Foundation proudly produced a one night only concert performance of “Extraordinary: The Musical” to benefit the Theresa Academy of Performing Arts. With book and lyrics by Dante Russo and music by David F.M. Vaughn, the sold out event (on a Monday night) was held at the renowned Joe’s Pub at The Public Theatre in New York City.

The family friendly musical takes the audience on an unexpected ride... after meeting his deaf cousin Hope, nine year old Lester and his imaginary friend Fred take off on an adventure through the living room couch to search for her hearing. Their journey takes them to “The Land of Quiet,” where they discover that differences make you extraordinary!

Dante Russo opened the program with the following message:”I find it interesting the word “No.” I don’t understand where we learn this word “no.” We’re taught if you’re in a wheelchair you can’t dance and if you can’t hear you can’t be in a musical. No. We can do anything, we can do anything. You can be in a wheelchair and you can dance. And tonight you are going to see, you can be deaf and you can be in a musical. We can do anything, anything, anything, anything! If we all try to do just a little bit of good everyday, we’re all going to make this world a much more beautiful place with “yes.”

The star studded evening featured some of Broadway’s finest: Tom Deckman (“Monty Python’s Spamalot”), Matt Gibson (“Gypsy” with Patti LuPone), Annie Golden (“Xanadu”), Carly Jibson (“Hairspray”), Sean Samuels (Disney’s “Tarzan”), Tami Lee Santimyer (“Nobody’s Perfect” at The Kennedy Center), Howie Michael Smith (“Avenue Q”), Allison Spratt (“Cry Baby”), Alexandria Wailes (“MotherCourage and Her Children” with Meryl Streep at The Public Theater) and Kirsten Wyatt (“Grease”).

Everyone in this event donated their time for rehearsals and the performance. The Extraordinary Benefit raised over $2,500 for the Theresa Academy of Performing Arts which is in formation.

Photography by Amy Shaughnessy for BroadwayWorld.com