BETHEL — A special concert featuring the Shapiro Sisters (Abigail and Tony Award honoree and Grammy Award nominee Milly), Paige Brady and Ava Ulloa (Matilda), Zachary Unger (Newsies), Jillian Caillouette (two-time winner of the Connecticut High School Music Theatre Awards) and cast members from all three 12.14 Foundation shows (Seussical: the Musical, The 101 Dalmatians Musical and A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream) will be held at Walnut Hill Community Church on Friday, November 7, beginning at 7 pm.

Proceeds will benefit The 12.14 Foundation and its mission to use the performing arts to promote healing and strength. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children, and can be purchased online (http://broadway-records.ticketleap.com/benefit-concert-for-1214-foundation).

They will also be available at the door.

The concert will be directed and produced by Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Van Dean, who also co-conceived and produced “From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook” and whose label, Broadway Records, released the Matilda The Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording and the forthcoming A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream recording.

“Last spring, I brought the Shapiro Sisters and several of the original Matildas to Sandy Hook Elementary School. I saw the enthusiasm of the children and how meeting these young performers inspired them,” Mr Dean noted. “I wanted to bring a group of young performers back to the Newtown area and present a full concert for the children and their families to enjoy.

“We have many surprises in store and it will be a very memorable evening for the families of the Newtown area,” he continued. “I am thrilled that the proceeds from this event will benefit The 12.14 Foundation whose work with the Newtown area children has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.”

The performers will be available after the show to sign autographs.

The show will include performances of songs from Frozen, Shrek the Musical, The Little Mermaid, The Secret Garden, Wicked, Beautiful, Side Show, A Little Princess, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and many more.

It will also include two songs co-written by Van Dean especially for the Shapiro Sisters and the Matildas.

The Performers

At 14 years old, Abigail Shapiro is currently starring in the title role in Liberty The Musical Off-Broadway.

She has performed on stages across the country, including Madison Square Garden as Cindy Lou Who in How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Abigail and younger sister Milly have just released their debut CD as The Shapiro Sisters, titled Live at 54 Below: Live Out Loud!, following their series of cabaret performances at the famed Studio 54’s supper club, 54 Below.

Abigail has also played lead roles in regional productions of numerous shows including Annie, Gypsy and The Sound of Music.

Milly Shapiro is a Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee for her role as Matilda in the original Broadway production of Matilda The Musical. She has appeared on the 67th Annual Tony Awards, Live! With Kelly and Michael, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in addition to many others.

Originally from Tampa, Fla., the girls were discovered by their manager at The Entertainment Group and have since relocated to New York City to pursue careers in the theater.

Paige Brady, age 11, from the Philadelphia area, was elated made her Broadway debut in Matilda The Musical. She amuses her creative mind through art, writing, and reading.

Ava Ulloa, 9, also made her Broadway debut Matilda The Musical. Theatre credits also include numerous community productions.

Zachary Unger is an 11-year-old actor who most recently performed the role of Les in Disney's Newsies on Broadway. He also originated the role of Young Will in Big Fish and Young Charlie in Chaplin on Broadway.

The 12.14 Foundation is a non-for-profit organization formed following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School to encourage personal development through high-level performing arts programs.  The foundation provides experiences that produce a long-lasting, positive affect on the way children see themselves and the world around them.

For more information on the 12.14 Foundation, visit www.1214foundation.org.