November 2016 – At the Rosie’s Theater Kids 13th Annual Gala Celebration in New York City’s legendary Theatre District, Broadway’s best and brightest came together to pay homage to Cuban American pop music icon Gloria Estefan…

 

Estefan, whose life is portrayed in the Broadway jukebox hit musical On Your Feet! was cited for her inspiration to youth through the power of music and the American Dream.

 

Though Rosie O’Donnell was unable to attend … her kids showed their admiration for Gloria by surrounding her on the red carpet and exchanging hugs and kisses.

 

Ana Villafane, who portrays Gloria in the production, expressed her admiration for the global icon and the thrill of starring in a blockbuster production on the Great White Way.

Tony Award winning actor BD Wong stresses the importance of Rosie’s Theater Kids to the fabric of New York City – as it brings the arts directly to underserved youth “in Broadway’s back-yard!”

 

Rosie’s Theater Kids Co-Founder and Director Lori Klinger feels Rosie O’Donnell’s passion and dedication to the kids and to New York City theater.

 

Actor Tony Danza was exuberant in his praise of Rosie and the need to help kids learn about theater and the arts in New York City.
Also honoring Rosie and her kids was School of Rock actress Evie Dolan…
New York City Radio legend Elvis Duran saluted Rosie and her kids on the red carpet…

 

E-Street Band rocker and actor Steven Van Zandt and his wife, Sopranos actress Maureen Van Zandt…came to honor Rosie and her Kids…

 

Rosie’s Theatre Kids is one of the largest arts-in-education programs serving New York City public school students, and is one of the only organizations that provides all of its core services free of charge.

 

Since its founding in 2003, Rosie’s Theater kids has influenced the lives of over 80,000 NYC school students from grades pre-K through 12th grade, many of whom have never had the opportunity to see a Broadway show or experience the thrill of seeing live art performances.