By Daniel Reilly
Broadway is coming to Cape Cod Community College for one weekend only. Residents throughout the Cape have a chance to jump on the nostalgia train for a wild ride from May 12th to May 14th, because Cape Cod Child Development, Inc. (CCCD) is presenting the Tony-Award winning show, "Rock of Ages the Musical."
The production is a fundraiser to benefit CCCD programs throughout the Cape. Some of the proceeds will also be used as financial aid scholarships for children at Cape Cod Conservatory. This musical will feature New York City theatre professionals along with well-known local talent on Cape Cod.
Broadway is coming to Cape Cod Community College for one weekend only. Residents throughout the Cape have a chance to jump on the nostalgia train for a wild ride from May 12th to May 14th, because Cape Cod Child Development, Inc. (CCCD) is presenting the Tony-Award winning show, "Rock of Ages the Musical."
The production is a fundraiser to benefit CCCD programs throughout the Cape. Some of the proceeds will also be used as financial aid scholarships for children at Cape Cod Conservatory. This musical will feature New York City theatre professionals along with well-known local talent on Cape Cod.
Cape Cod Child Development’s Chief of Education and Family Services Officer Sonia Schonning and professional New York actor Anthony Logan Cole are co-directing and starring in this production. The two directors came up with the idea when they met during Cape Cod Theatre Company’s production of Little Women. Both Mrs. Schonning and Mr. Logan Cole wanted to combine their passions of theatre with a special fundraising idea that would be unique to the Cape. As a result, the “Broadway Comes to the Cape Benefit” was born, and they both decided to bring in New York City stage thespians to benefit children and families in need.
Originally, Mr. Logan Cole and Mrs. Schonning selected Les Miserables as the musical for the fundraiser, but the production crew was unable to obtain the rights for the show. The hard-core, adult-themed, and dramatic musical Rock of Ages was a huge departure from the operatic, family-friendly, and romantic musical of Les Miserables. Mrs. Schonning and some of the CCCD members struggled with the conflict between child welfare and an adult-themed show. However, after speaking to Mr. Logan Cole and the members of Cape Cod Child Development, the production crew decided to stay with the selection of Rock of Ages, since it was a popular show, it has not been performed on Cape Cod, and, with well-known 1980s songs from bands like Journey, Styx, and Bon Jovi, it will reach across generations. If this benefit proves to be successful, Mrs. Schonning and Mr. Logan Cole both hope to make “Broadway Comes to the Cape” an annual benefit to help CCCD and students at the Cape Cod Conservatory.
In addition to being co-directors, Mr. Logan Cole and Mrs. Schonning both play principal characters in this production. Mrs. Schonning plays the soulful owner of the Venus Strip Club, Justice Charlier, and Mr. Logan Cole Cole plays the comedic and loudmouthed narrator of the show, Lonny Barnett. According to Mrs. Schonning the experience “has been a lot of fun, but not without moments of stress.” The cast and crew have been working extremely hard to put this piece together ever since January and the results are paying off as they approach their week of dress rehearsals.
Cape Cod Child Development’s mission is to serve children most in need through excellent care and a comprehensive array of services. This organization supports over 3,000 children each year in 16 different locations. This production will provide CCCD with money for its six programs. As chief of education, Mrs. Schonning provides oversight to all of these programs and displays leadership along with the team. Mrs. Schonning believes that the most rewarding part of working for CCCD is to “see our children and families thrive.” Seeing kids and families work as a team to move forward always puts a smile on her face. To raise money for this noble cause, the directors, as well as the cast and crew invite anyone to attend Rock of Ages the Musical at the Tilden Center at the Cape Cod Community College Campus. Show dates are May 12, 13, and 14 at 7pm, and May 13 and 14 at 2pm. Tickets are also available at: www.cccdp.org/children/