Stars Coming Out For Bob Veillette

WATERBURY — The last thing Bob Veillette did before he suffered a massive stroke in April was give a performance on the piano, something he had done almost every week for years at Waterbury area venues and events.

The stroke left Mr Veillette, 62, an accomplished jazz pianist and longtime managing editor at The Republican-American newspaper, cognizant but completely paralyzed. With this rare condition, known as “locked-in syndrome,” he can still see, hear, smell, feel and think, but cannot move and can communicate only with great difficulty using eye movements.

To celebrate his life — and the music he loves — his friends and co-workers have organized a night of musical entertainment featuring an array of top-flight performers.

“The Stars Come Out for Bob Veillette” will be performed on Thursday, November 16. A reception will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by performances to begin at 7:30 at the Mainstage theater at Naugatuck Valley Community College, 750 Chase Parkway.

The evening will feature performances by several artists, including Brooke Tansley, who recently became the first Waterbury actress to play a lead on Broadway since Rosalind Russell in 1953 when she appeared as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Ms Tansley will soon be appearing as alongside Hugh Grant in the upcoming feature film “Music & Lyrics By;

Michael Barakat, an award-winning baritone who made his debut with the New York City Opera Orchestra as a featured soloist in its “Showcasing American Composers”;

Semina De Laurentis, the artistic director for Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury whose performing credits include the original off-Broadway cast of the musical comedy Nunsense;

Thirzah Bendokas, a concert cellist who has been a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra, as well as virtually every symphony in her native Connecticut;

And Tom Chute, who has starred in many local and professional stage productions and is a radio personality on WATR-1320 AM, will perform and be master of ceremonies.

The evening will also feature Boston cabaret singer Carol O’Shaughnessy, the Naugatuck Valley Community College Gospel Choir, and the Bob Mobilio Swing/Jazz septet, led by Mr Mobilio, a noted pianist and vibraharp player.

Additionally, because Mr Veillette is a self-taught Shakespeare scholar, Shakesperience Productions, the Waterbury repertory troupe, will also perform.

“It will be a night of good music and good cheer,” said Jonathan Kellogg, who is organizing the event and is executive editor at The Republican-American. “It will be a celebration of the music Bob loves and a chance to recognize the contributions that he’s made to the community by volunteering his talent to countless charitable events over the years.”

Tickets are $30 and are now on sale. Advanced purchase is encouraged.

To buy tickets over the phone, call the Seven Angels Theatre box office at 203-757-4676. Credit card purchases through Seven Angels will be assessed a $2 surcharge.

Tickets may also be purchased in person with cash or a check at the Republican-American newspaper at 389 Meadow Street in Waterbury. Tickets will also be available at the door for cash or check.

For more information, visit NVCC.commnet.edu/stars.