Darlington students will have an opportunity to learn from Broadway's Lindsay and Jared Bradshaw Friday while they are in town to present two shows at the DeSoto Theatre on Nov. 6.
"We are so excited for Darlington School to partner with the DeSoto Theatre to bring Broadway to Rome," said Kim Tunnell, director of fine arts. "We are also thrilled that Lindsay and Jared will be on campus Friday to work with our Upper School students. What an incredible opportunity for our students to learn from two very talented performers. The timing is especially great as students prepare to audition for our winter musical, 'My Fair Lady.'"
Any student who is interested will have the opportunity to attend a master class with the Bradshaws during fourth period on Friday. They will also offer private vocal sessions in the afternoon for those interested in working on a solo piece in an intensive mini-session. Additionally, the Bradshaws will do a performance for middle grades students.
Fresh off of a 13-year run in the Broadway cast of "Wicked," Lindsay Bradshaw is the longest-running understudy for Glinda the Good Witch and a member of the ensemble. She has also starred as Maria on the national tour of "The Sound of Music;" performed in numerous regional theaters, including Goodspeed Opera House; and appeared in several TV shows, including "The Last OG" with Tracy Morgan, "The Americans" with Keri Russell, "New Amsterdam," "Tales of the City," "Mr. Robot" and "CSI Miami." Additionally, she has appeared in 14 TV commercials, from Breyers Gelato to Direct TV opposite Jon Bon Jovi.
A graduate of Shorter College, Jared Bradshaw started his professional career on Disney Cruise Line before moving to New York. Numerous regional theater credits across the nation include "Jekyll and Hyde," "Parade," "The Music Man," "Cabaret" and "The Bridges of Madison County." After three years starring in Off Broadway’s long-running Tony Awarded hit "Forbidden Broadway," he joined the global sensation "Jersey Boys" for eight years in Chicago, on the national tour and in the Broadway company. Next, he originated the role of Jerry Jubilee in the original Broadway cast of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and was the understudy for Willy Wonka, even appearing on The 2017 Tony Awards on CBS. His next Broadway performance is the new musical "DAVE," based on the 1993 Warner Brothers film.
The first of the Bradshaws’ performances at the DeSoto Theatre will be “Kids Disney Hits,” featuring hits from beloved Disney films such as “Frozen,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Hercules,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Mary Poppins.” Geared toward families and kids of all ages, the show will begin at 11 a.m.
Later in the day, the duo will present a musical tribute called “The Great American Songbook,” featuring songs from a variety of shows including “Wicked,” “The Sound of Music,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The King and I” and “Annie.” This concert is being billed as a “parents’ night out” and begins at 7:30 p.m. A VIP reception will take place at 6 p.m.
A benefit for the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation, these shows were made possible thanks to a generous donation by Dr. Gary and Karen Smith, parents of Darlington alumni Pamela Maria Gonzalez ('86), Ana DeHart ('90) and Mary Smith ('88) as well as Eddie Gonzalez, who attended Darlington his freshman year.
"In addition to being a historic landmark and the first theater in the Southeast to play sound movies when it opened in 1929, the DeSoto Theatre plays a vital role in Rome's arts and culture scene and is the site of dozens of musical and theatrical performances each year," said Tunnell. "The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation has made much progress in their efforts to restore the DeSoto to its original splendor. Events like this are helping to make that goal a reality."
Tickets are available online at www.thedesoto.org. Tickets for “Kids Disney Hits” are $12 for children and $15 for adults. Tickets for “The Great American Songbook” are $47 for general admission, $77 for reserved section and $40 for the pre-show reception.
Lindsey Bradshaw
Jared Bradshaw
