Words by Léna Fontaine

Following the coronavirus outbreak, performers all around the world had to find way to give back to first responder and essential healthcare workers. It is now time for the cast of Sing Street to step up and do their part with an exclusive at home performance. Supporting the charities assisting the theater community, Sing Street presents SING STREET : Grounded – At home with The Broadway Cast.

Sing Street : Grounded – At Home With the Broadway Cast will feature songs from the musical including the emotional “Up,” the show anthem “Drive It Like You Stole It” and “Go Now,” as well as “Love and Stars,” the world premiere of a new song written for the Broadway production of SING STREET.  The songs will be performed from their by the young Broadway cast scattered around the world in Ireland, Great Britain, New York, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Florida, Vermont and Massachusetts.

“During this time of crisis, I’ve been moved watching the cast and creative team put this together in order to do something charitable for the community” said producer Barbara Broccoli.  “They have come up with a very ambitious and unique version of the show, until such time that they can reassemble and perform the entire show on Broadway.”

The online show will be available on Sing Street Broadway’s facebook page and will take place on Thrusday, April 30 from 6:30pm till 7pm (EST). Fans are also invited to donate to charities directly to  The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and Broadway Cares’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund using the Facebook “donate” button on the Facebook Live during the livestreamed event. In case you miss it, the show which will be available on demand through Monday, May 4 at 6:30pm (EST).

“We want to help the doctors, nurses and first responders who are putting themselves in harm’s way so we can all stay safe in our homes. As we have our instruments and our voices, this is something we can do to help those who are on the front lines of this disaster. On behalf of our entire cast, we are encouraging everyone to support The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS” said Brenock O’Connor, Zara Devlin and Gus Halper in a joint statement.  “We are excited to have this opportunity because we have found a way to play together again, hopefully capturing the charm and heart of the show from our homes around the world.”

Sing Street was supposed to mark the Broadway debut of 14 young cast member but performances had to be postponed due to the spread of the covid-19. SING STREET is directed by Tony Award winner Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), features a book by Tony Award winner Enda Walsh (Once), music and lyrics by Gary Clark (front man of Danny Wilson) & John Carney (“Modern Love”), choreography by Obie Award winner Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge), and is based on the motion picture written and directed by John Carney.

SING STREET stars Max Bartos as Darren, Brendan C. Callahan as Gary, Billy Carter as Robert, Zara Devlin as Raphina, Gus Halper as Brendan, Jakeim Hart as Larry, Martin Moran as Brother Baxter, Anne L. Nathan as Sandra, Johnny Newcomb as Barry, Brenock O’Connor as Conor, Gian Perez as Kevin, Sam Poon as Eamon, Skyler Volpe as Anne, Amy Warren as Penny, Anthony Genovesi as Declan, with off-stage covers Ilan Eskenazi, Dashiell Eaves, Shadia Fairuz, Sophie Hearn, Michael Lepore and Jace Reinhard.

Sing Street released their original broadway cast recording just last week. Make sure to check it out to satisfy your 80’s nostalgia!