By Mary Malloy
A special benefit performance is planned for opening night.
The show weaves Broadway's biggest shows into a rousing figure skating tribute. This special performance will raise money for Friends In Deed, an organization dedicated to helping those living with HIV/AIDS and other life threatening illnesses. The performance will host a special musical performance by Anthony Rapp of the original Broadway cast and movie version of RENT. Rapp is also on the board of directors at Friends In Deed.
Quadrino, who was sidelined with a skating injury over the summer, said he was "bummed and bored" and off the ice from June to August, when an idea came to him after seeing the Broadway musical, "RENT". He and co-director and actor Brady Chin wanted to do a show. They approached Manhattan's Bryant Park first, but they wanted more famous skaters to perform. From there, he met Rapp, and the venue changed to Brooklyn.
Founded by Mike Nichols and Cynthia O'Neal in 1991, Friends In Deed has helped transform many thousands of lives through a wide array of free programs and services. They provide emotional and spiritual support for anyone diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening physical illnesses. Support is also available for family, friends, and caregivers of those who are ill, and anyone dealing with grief and bereavement. Friends In Deed also runs an HIV prevention program for teens in NYC public schools, having already reached over 100,000 at-risk students.
Quadrino has been a competitive figure skater for 12 years. His accomplishments in skating include being the 2006 North Atlantic Regional Champion, three time North Atlantic Regional Silver Medalist, three time Eastern Sectional Competitor, 2006 Alternate for U.S. National Team, Empire State Winter Games Gold Medalist, a Senior Gold Medalist, and performed in numerous performances in and around New York City . He is the Artistic Director for the "Future Stars" benefit show at Newbridge Arena. He is also an Exercise Specialist Major and Theatre Minor at Hofstra University. He is very involved in theater, and is beginning to expand his work at Hofstra University by being a part of the Masquerade Musical Theatre Co.
"The Edge of Broadway" will feature some of the best figure skaters from New York City and the surrounding area. Besides Quadrino, skaters will include National Bronze Medalist Felicia Zhang, Junior National Champion Brady Chin, and Regional Silver Medalists Ashley Halstead and Robert Knopf. The show will feature a soundtrack of over 10 of Broadway's biggest shows, with a special tribute to Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winning RENT, which just ended its historic 12 year Broadway run on September 7.
The Edge of Broadway is sponsored in part by Aviator Sports & Recreation and is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating.
The 8 p.m. performances will be held on Dec. 19, 26, 27, and Jan. 9 and 10. Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under, and can be purchased by calling (718) 758-7500 or in person at the Aviator Sports Complex.
For more information about Friends In Deed, visit www.friendsindeed.org or call (212) 925.2009.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
