Dear GTT Friend & Supporter:

I’m writing you today to share the news that Group Theatre Too’s new musical Count To Ten has been chosen as an official selection of the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) which has been hailed as “The Sundance of Musical Theatre” by Rob Kendt of Newsday. I first became aware of Count To Ten in 1991 when it was workshopped downtown at Musical Theatre Works where my mother, Gwen Verdon, served as a board member. Since that time the show has been developed through a series of presentations from New York to Tennessee and provides a multitude of opportunities for young performers, new designers, musicians and cross-generational audiences. I am thrilled GTT has received this honor and recognition and look forward to the bright future this new musical holds.

I know from personal experience that GTT puts a great deal of care and passion into producing theatre and educational performing arts programming while providing support for new and established artists. My belief in their efforts has led me to accept a seat on their Honorary Artistic Board, along with Chita Rivera, Theodore Mann, Maurice Hines and many others. The company’s artistic risks and bold programming has attracted such artists as Pulitzer Prize finalist David Rimmer, choreographer Kate Swan, Emmy-winning costume designer Bob Flanagan, and even my own children have participated in their spectacular educational programs.

The new play, aftermath, developed at The Group Theatre Too, has provided insight to over 5,000 Tri-State students on the issue of respect-for-one’s-body and is now being published for national release through Heuer Publishing. GTT’s One-Act Playhouse Jr. program, in residence at Manhattan’s P.S. 75, has also led to the creation of new, published works. Building on a living theatre requires new and innovative voices and GTT consistently provides that platform.

The Group Theatre Too and I appreciate the support you have consistently given, and we want to invite you to deepen your commitment by donating to GTT’s Count To $10,000 Campaign. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by October 1st 2009 to cover all productions expenses during the NYMF performances of Count To Ten. Step up with GTT and be a part of the Campaign and show by contributing $35 or more today - or whatever amount you are able. No amount is too small to make a difference. Rehearsal Halls, event insurance, participation fees and promotion do not come easily, especially during this precarious economic time. Even $1.50 can buy a cup of coffee for a professional lighting designer (working pro-bono) on a long tech day.

I certainly understand the commitment of time and money necessary for live theatre productions. By making a tax-deductible donation through GTT’s fiscal sponsor, The Field, and earmarking it for Group Theatre Too you can make their work possible. To support the Count To $10,000 Campaign please choose one of the donation options above. If it’s not possible to make a donation, please consider purchasing tickets for Count To Ten at the NYMF. They go on sale this Tuesday, September 1st. Visit www.nymf.org/counttoten to reserve.

Thank you,

NICOLE FOSSE
Honorary Artistic Board
The Group Theatre Too

RETURN TO HOMEPAGE