JCC grand opening features 'Phantom of the Opera' star

Rosen JCC's Opening Night Gala on Feb. 27, will celebrate the grand opening of the Rosen Event Center, offering a spectacular show by Theatre South, a professional theater company based in Southwest Orlando, with the highlight of the night a performance from Grant Norman of Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera."

The gala will be held in the Rosen Event Center at 7 p.m., with tickets available for purchase for $60 ($75 after Feb. 12), and babysitting will also be offered for $10 per child.

The Rosen Event Center has a vast layout that provides all audience members with a great view of the stage, and is equipped with specialty stage flooring that allows for all varieties of dance, including tap.

"This space gives us the ability to offer professional quality theater programs for youth and adults," said Hillary Brook, owner of the JCC's in-house performing arts company. "It's a new venue for the Orlando community and is an exciting and much needed addition to the Southwest side of town."

The new Event Center is a venue open to the public, designed to bring accessibility and love of the arts to the community of Southwest Orlando.

"We launched our Capital Campaign in October to help raise funds for the furniture, fixtures and equipment that will fill the new spaces," commented Bonnie Rayman, executive director of the Rosen JCC. "As of December, we raised $75,000 and our goal is $750,000. Opportunities to leave a legacy include naming of the rooms as well as three different size pavers in front of the Rosen Event Center. There will be ample opportunities to pledge support at the Opening Night Gala."

Visit rosenjcc.org/build for more information.

The Grand Opening celebration will also include "Broadway in Your Backyard," an interactive family matinee show by Theatre South hosted at the Rosen JCC on Sunday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. Tickets for both events are available for purchase at Rosenjcc.org/gala.

For more information on the Grand Opening of the Rosen Event Center, the Opening Night Gala or the Rosen JCC, contact Bonnie Rayman, Executive Director at 407-387-5330 or bonnier@rosenjcc.org.