Tickets going fast to see Phantom of the Opera star

By Laurie Gordon
Newton — An Evening with the Sandra Joseph All-Stars to benefit the SCARC Foundation is coming to Sussex County. It isn't every day that a Broadway phenom makes an appearance in these parts, so get your tickets to see the incomparable Sandra Joseph and support a vital non-profit organization that so greatly helps people with developmental disabilities and their families.
The event will be held on Monday, October 2nd at 7 pm at the Sussex County Community Performing Arts Center and tickets promise to go quickly.
Sandra Joseph starred as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera for 10 years and more than 1,500 performances. She holds the record as the longest-running leading lady in the longest-running Broadway show of all time. Joseph is currently bringing her voice to corporations and conventions in a one-of-a-kind keynote program that includes a private mini-concert of songs she performed on Broadway. For the performance to benefit SCARC, The Sandra Joseph All-Stars will perform hits from various Broadway shows.
Joseph said, “SCARC is a fantastic organization doing wonderful work in the community. It’s a true honor for us to perform knowing that this concert will help families who really need it.”
It turns out Phantom of the Opera has a romantic love story within its own love story which Joseph revealed when asked what numbers she was looking most forward to performing.
“I’m especially excited to sing songs from Phantom with my husband, Ron Bohmer,” she said, “We met and fell in love while starring opposite each other as the Phantom and Christine. It is always a joy to revisit those magical moments together on stage.”
Chris Hemmer, Chief Development Officer for the SCARC Foundation, said “This is a new event for us at the SCARC Foundation. It’s exciting and we are learning on the go.” He added, “Sandra has spoken and performed at our SCARC Foundation Honors Gala event twice in the past. There was overwhelming feedback from the attendees at those events that we should try to have her headline a benefit concert for us.” He added, “The proceeds from the event will just support SCARC generally.”
SCARC Inc. serves people with developmental disabilities and is dedicated to the empowerment and support of persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The organization facilitates partnerships with community resources, assist in maximum community participation, promote individual planning based on choices, preferences and needs, and foster the development of socially valued roles for each person served.
Mike Strada, Sussex County's Sheriff, is a chairperson’s appointment to SCARC's Board of Trustees. Strada has a distinguished history of military experience in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and law enforcement assignments in both Morris and Sussex Counties. Strada said that events like this to benefit SCARC are pivotal for it's existence.
“SCARC is a non-profit organization so we depend a lot on both federal and state grants as well as donations from citizens in our county and funds raised from events such as this one,” Strada said, “Many Sussex County residents have been so helpful and generous over the years not only with monetary donations but assistance in other areas as well, all to benefit the residents in our county who utilize SCARC services.”
Strada added, “It’s an honor and a privilege for me to serve on the Board at SCARC. The board is made up of individuals that come from a variety of backgrounds with one common goal of making sure we take care of individuals who need our services. It is such a wonderful organization to be part of.”
Tickets went on sale on July 31 and are going quickly. Orchestra seats are $50 and mazzanine seats are $45. You can purchase tickets at: scarcfoundation.brownpapertickets.com/
On Wednesday, September 20, the 2017 Pat Romano Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament will also benefit SCARC. For twenty-four years, Pat Romano, Sr. chaired the annual golf outing to help raise funds for people with developmental disabilities. The SCARC Foundation will celebrate his memory by holding the 15th Annual Pat Romano, Sr. Memorial Golf Invitational. The Foundation is extremely honored to name the tournament after Romano, who was a dedicated Board Member on the SCARC, Inc. Executive Board of Trustees for over 20 years and had devoted many hours to educating parents and the community about people with developmental disabilities. To sign up to play or as a sponsor, visit:www.scarcfoundation.org