A one-night only benefit concert featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim to kick-off TheaterWorks Hartford’s 40th Anniversary Season.
Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 6:30pm
Pre-show reception at 5:30pm
TheaterWorks Hartford, under the leadership of Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, announces a benefit concert to kick-off the organization’s 40th anniversary season. My Friends: A Sondheim Concert is a celebratory night of Sondheim music featuring Broadway performers, a pre-show reception, and an intimiate post-show dinner with the artists (limited availability). This performance will honor TheaterWorks Hartford’s Co-Presidents Michael Albano and Dina Plapler.
The concert will feature performances from renowned Broadway performers, such as Nikki Renée Daniels (Company, the Book of Mormon), Jenn Gambatese (Tarzan, Mrs. Doubtfire), Adam Heller (Merrily We Roll Along, Elf: The Musical), Omar Lopez-Cepero (American Idiot, On Your Feet!), John Riddle (Phantom of the Opera, Frozen); plus, a special, virtual tribute from Aaron Lazar (A Little Night Music, Fun Home at TWH). Other artists to be announced at a later date.
“We’re thrilled to kick off our 40th Anniversary Season with a special benefit concert honoring the legendary Stephen Sondheim—one of the greatest musical storytellers of our time,” says Rob Ruggiero. “This milestone season is a celebration of collaboration, partnership, and community—and nothing captures that spirit more than this event. We are bringing some extraordinary Broadway friends to TheaterWorks Hartford for an unforgettable evening of music, memories, and joy. We can’t wait to celebrate this momentous year with you!”
Tickets are on sale now at twhartford.org, for $100, $250, and $500. The $500 ticket includes a pre-show reception, gold seating, and a post-show dinner with the artists at Max Downtown (limited availability). The $250 ticket includes a pre-show reception and gold seating, while the $100 ticket includes the pre-show reception, and silver seating. Thanks to our event sponsor, Max Downtown.
About the Artists:
Nikki Renée Daniels recently played Lady Larken in Once Upon a Mattress on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include Company (Jenny), The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (Clara), The Book of Mormon (Nabulungi) and Les Miserables (Fantine.) She played Angelica Schuyler in the Chicago company of Hamilton. Off Broadway: Lady Larken in Once Upon a Mattress, and Martha Jefferson in 1776 at City Center Encores. Television credits include “Billions,” “The Equalizer,” “Modern Love,” and “Madam Secretary.” Nikki has performed as a soloist with numerous symphony orchestras across the country, and at Carnegie Hall. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Her debut solo CD, “Home” is available on iTunes. @nikkireneesings
Jenn Gambatese most recently originated the role of Miranda Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway. Her other starring roles on The Great Bright Way include Principal Rosalie Mullins in School of Rock, Jane in Tarzan, and Natalie in All Shook Up. Other Broadway credits: Hairspray, Is He Dead?, A Year with Frog and Toad, and Footloose. Favorite Touring, Regional and Off-Broadway credits include traveling the country by bubble as Glinda in Wicked, playing Maria in The Sound of Music and Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun at Goodspeed Musicals, and Eliante in The School for Lies at Classic Stage Company. In addition to her stage work, Jenn enjoys guest starring on TV (The Good Wife, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods), performing with world-class orchestras and in intimate cabarets, and teaching globally. Some life stats: Cleveland native, NYU grad, and raising two terrific daughters with one wonderful husband! For more details check out her website jenngambatese.com or follow her adventures and musings on social media (@jenngambatese)
Adam Heller: Broadway: Some Like it Hot; It Shoulda Been You; Elf; Caroline, or Change; Victor/Victoria; Les Miserables. Selected Off-Broadway: Popcorn Falls; A Letter to Harvey Milk; Peer Gynt; Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn; The Immigrant; Merrily We Roll Along. Selected Regional: Come From Away; Chicago (St Louis Theater Circle Award); 1776; Gypsy (The Muny). Native Gardens (Westport Playhouse); The Flamingo Kid; Falsettos (Hartford Stage); Fiddler on the Roof (Goodspeed, Connecticut Critics Circle Award); Rags (Goodspeed); The Chosen (Barrington Stage). TV: WE CRASHED; FBI MOST WANTED; THE BITE; THE GOOD FIGHT; ELEMENTARY; UNFORGETTABLE;THE AMERICANS; THE SOPRANOS. Graduate: NYU/Tisch.
Omar Lopez-Cepero was most recently seen as Che in Evita in the MUNY in St. Louis. Connecticut audiences may remember him as Emile De Becque in Goodspeed’s 2024 production of South Pacific or as Alejandro in the 2019 World Premiere of The Flamingo Kid at Hartford Stage. Other favorite credits include the 50th Anniversary Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas). BROADWAY: American Idiot; On Your Feet!; Unsinkable Molly Brown; The Capeman. REGIONAL: Evita (Che) North American Tour, A.R.T., Shakespeare Theater, The Fulton, Atlantic Lyric, (Peron) Bay Street Theater; The Notebook (Lon) Chicago Shakes; Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson) TUTS. TV: “The Detour” (TBS); “Vegas (CBS); “Blue Bloods” (CBS). TRAINING: University of Miami, Frost School of Music. Omar is proud to represent his Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage. Beyond the stage, Omar is an avid golfer who loved to play new courses along his travels. Instagram: @omarlopezcepero. www.omarlopezcepero.com
John Riddle originated the roles of Hans in Disney’s Frozen and Young Anton in The Visit on Broadway. He also played Raoul in the closing Broadway company of The Phantom of the Opera. Off-Broadway: Cal Hockley (Lortel nom.) in Titanique. His other credits include Evita (1st National Tour), George in Sunday in the Park with George at the Glimmerglass Festival, Jean Valjean in Les Mis and Anatoly in Chess (Critics Circle Award) at the MUNY. Other regional credits include Kennedy Center, Long Wharf Theatre, PCLO, Casa Mañana, Cape Playhouse and Goodspeed Opera House, Cape Playhouse. Select NY: The Secret Garden in Concert (Lincoln Center) and Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods (Town Hall). He has also been a featured soloist with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, The American Pops Orchestra, The Naples Opera and recently debuted his new solo show Blue Lady at Joe’s Pub. He is a graduate of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).
About TheaterWorks Hartford:
TheaterWorks Hartford, led by Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, has produced relevant, engaging contemporary theater for 40 years at their historic Pearl Street address. Founded in 1985, TWH is committed to the power of storytelling in creating community and has produced over 200 plays and musicals, including the world premiere of High (with Kathleen Turner), Relativity (with Richard Dreyfuss) and Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn, among others. Visit us at twhartford.org.
Support:TheaterWorks Hartford is supported by CT Office of the Arts, Richard P. Garmany Fund, Travelers, Marjorie E. Morrissey, The Shubert Foundation, Burry Fredrik Foundation, Greater Hartford Arts Council, Bank of America, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, HSB, RTX, Lincoln Financial Foundation, J. Walton Bissell Foundation, John and Kelly Hartman Foundation, CT Humanities, Gawlicki Family Foundation, Nassau, Liberty Bank, Ensworth Charitable Foundation, George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation, William and Alice Mortensen Foundation, The Elizabeth M. Landon and Harriette M. Landon Charitable Trust, The Katherine K. McLane and Henry R. McLane Charitable Trust, M&T Bank.