1214 Foundation » Seussical

Seussical Coverage – CBS This Morning

Fred Holahan — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 22:13:42 +0000

The video below is from CBS This Morning, one of several national networks covering 12.14 Foundation's inaugural production of Seussical The Musical. The production ran to four sold-out performances in August 2013 at the Newtown, CT High School. It was a collaboration between more than 80 Newtown-area children and some of Broadway's renowned leaders, including:

Michael Unger, Director – a huge portfolio of Broadway directing credits
Van Dean, Producer – Tony Award® winning producer of Porgy and Bess
Jeffrey Saver, Music Director – composer for a large portfolio of Broadway musicals
Jennifer Paulson Lee, Choreographer – numerous Broadway choreography credits

The production also starred John Tartaglia, Sesame Street puppeteer and acclaimed Broadway performer, in the role of the Cat in the Hat.

Our Seussical production was all about helping children recover from the tragic events of 12.14.2012 through inspiration and leadership. We are very grateful to the dedicated Broadway professionals who gave their time and talents so generously. Stay tuned for information about new 12.14 programming planned for summer 2014!

Donate to 12.14 Foundation

Text CTKIDS to 80077 to donate $10 using your mobile phone *

* Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All donations must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and data rates may apply.

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Achievement and Direction

Michael Baroody — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 18:12:46 +0000

The 12.14 Foundation was formed to heal through the arts, to create a nurturing educational environment, to provide life-long tools for success, and to communicate love, restoration and confidence. We aim to accomplish these goals within the context of a great architectural achievement. Our first year, as anticipated, mainly addressed the fundamentals – corporate and legal, technology infrastructure, and board/advisory team development. Additionally, we produced our highly successful inaugural event, Seussical the Musical, which affirmed our vision and garnered national media attention.

With the fundamentals in place, we will focus our energies in 2014 on building awareness, fundraising, and formalizing our long-term plans for the Newtown Performing Arts Center. We will also continue to produce professional-quality events along the way, enriching the lives of children in Newtown and beyond.

To those ends, I am delighted to announce that Scotty McCreery, platinum-selling country music performer and American Idol 10 winner, has been selected to be the Foundation’s first Goodwill Ambassador. Scotty visited Newtown this past December and has embraced his role as a 12.14 ambassador. More than an entertainer, Scotty is a young man of remarkable character who will represent us admirably. More information about Scotty’s involvement with the Foundation is available here.

Now, more than ever, we need your support. Regardless of size, every donation helps greatly. To donate to the 12.14 Fund, click this link. To donate to our Scotty McCreery Fund, click this link. You can also make a $10 mobile donation by texting CTKIDS to 80077*. All donations are tax-deductible and will be used to help 12.14 Foundation continue to achieve our objectives.

Thank you and best wishes in 2014,

Michael Baroody, MD
Founder/Director, 1214 Foundation

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12.14 Workshop at the Newtown Arts Festival

Fred Holahan — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 15:56:53 +0000

The first day of Fall 2013 was mild and the Newtown Arts Festival was coming to a successful conclusion when the Dance tent erupted in sound with songs from Seussical the Musical. Sponsored by the 12.14 Foundation and supported by a network of dedicated families, Seussical cast members performed popular songs from their recent Newtown production. Seussical director Michael Unger and choreographer Jennifer Paulson Lee then led a workshop to teach audience volunteers song and dance sequences from the musical.

Below are photos from the 12.14 Seussical workshop, provided through the kind contribution of North Sky Photography. Enjoy!

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12.14 Rocks the Newtown Labor Day Parade

Fred Holahan — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 20:21:48 +0000

On a day when rain threatened to dampen Newtown Labor Day parade festivities, the cast of Seussical the Musical sang and danced their way down Main Street on the 12.14 Foundation float. The 12.14 Seussicals, ranging in age from five to eighteen, are all from Newtown and the surrounding area. Wearing signature costumes and head dressings, the 12.14 Seussicals performed several numbers from the musical production, as well as a collection of other contemporary songs.

The 12.14 float was built from scratch by Dr. Michael Baroody and a group of local parents and volunteers. Dr. Baroody is the 12.14 Foundation's founder. He was on hand to march in the procession, as was Michael Unger, director of the recent Seussical production. They were accompanied by a number of local parents and volunteers. David Smiley, a Newtown resident, towed the 12.14 Foundation float.

In the end, 12.14 was awarded runner up for best float and winner of the most colorful entry!

Below are a few photos of the Newtown Labor Day parade. We'll be adding others, as well as links to video footage, as they become available.

Don't forget to join the 12.14 mailing list (see form in the right column) so we can keep you updated about coming events and activities.

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A Profound Moment

Michael Baroody — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 01:37:53 +0000

A profound moment happened in Seussical rehearsal today. That type of mutual understanding of emotions that is shared without words among the cast and production team. There was a transformation from someone "playing a part" to expression of the soul. A unique opportunity to unveil the cover and reveal the essence of how we feel in front of those who understand and feel a similar way. That moment where time slows down and a rush of true meaning becomes palpable. That is why the 12.14 Foundation exists.

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Donate Seussical Tickets to Less Fortunate Families in Newtown!

Michael Baroody — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 17:47:34 +0000

Can't make the show? For $17, you can donate a seat to a needy family in Newtown. The 1214 Foundation is working with Newtown Social Services to make tickets available for those less fortunate. You can help our community come together and support all of those participating in Seussical! Click to donate tickets! /

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1214 Foundation on Fox CT for Seussical the Musical in Newtown Production

Michael Baroody — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 17:42:52 +0000

John Tartaglia and six incredible performers of Seussical sang today on the Fox CT morning show. They truly represented all the hard work and talented actors participating in the production. Once again, a proud moment.

See Video Clip Here!

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A New Paradigm

Michael Baroody — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 16:32:43 +0000

The vision for the Newtown Performing Arts Centre is like nothing else in the world today. It is a new paradigm for how this type of Centre is designed. It is the fusion of premier education of the arts, global networking and outreach, inspiring performances from the world's best, and a focus on individual enrichment of the mind, body, and soul. It is transformation, through understanding one's own self, that results in inner confidence to withstand the challenges of life.

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So, Why a Musical in Newtown?

Michael Baroody — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:45:07 +0000

So, why a Musical in Newtown? We, as a community, have a responsibility to the children affected by the events of 12.14. We will give them tools for creative expression, innovation, and confidence that will spill over into every other aspect of their lives. The performing arts lies in the core of every human being and is the essence of who we are…….. It is a first grader; to sing, dance, pretend, and to laugh out loud at the simplest things in life. This is the first of many collaborations between the world’s best and the incredible local community of Newtown aimed at having our children and those around the globe reach their potential.

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1214 Officially Announces Formation, Charter and Leadership

Fred Holahan — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 16:30:55 +0000

Although many of you have been following 1214 for the past few months, today we distributed our first official press release. As part of this announcement, PR Newswire (one of the world’s premier wire services) has donated space on the Reuters electronic sign in Times Square to run a 1214 Foundation infographic. Comprised of 11 electronic screens, the Reuters sign rises 23 stories from the ground, occupies over 7,400sf and occupies the entire southwest corner of Times Square. The 1214 infographic will display in rotation with several other organizations’ graphics over a period of three days. We are grateful to PR Newswire for donating this premium display space in support of our awareness building efforts. Stay tuned for additional 1214 news releases over the coming weeks and months.

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