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The Barnum Festival Roadshow kickoffs June 13, 17 and 19th on a whirlwind
tour of 24 nursing homes and community centers throughout the Greater
Bridgeport area.
This year's version features outstanding professional and amateur talent
that will perform a half hour show for residents of nursing homes and
community centers in five area cities - Bridgeport, Shelton, Trumbull,
Monroe, ending in Fairfield. The Roadshow has entertained area seniors for
more than 25 years.
Mimi Nelsen returns as chair of the Roadshow for the seventh consecutive
year. She still enjoys organizing the show because of the joy it spreads to
so many residents of nursing homes and community centers.
"I just love it, Nelsen said. "It's such an honor to bring a show to these
people. If you could see the smiles on their faces when we perform for them,
it gives you an incredible feeling. It's a ton of work, but it's worth every
minute of it."
The Roadshow features Kiersten Stevens, who returns for her second year. The
talented singer, a Yale freshman, opened for Ray Charles last summer and was
the past winner of a talent show at the Apollo Theater in New York. Pinky
Bigley, who previously sang in the National Tour of Les Miserables and her
father John and other family members, will take part in the show again.
Even Ringmaster Len Berger will get into the act, sing "Leader of the Pack,"
and "Friendship," which goes along with his theme of Family, Fun and
Tradition. In addition, the remainder of the Royal Family (King, Queen,
Prince and Princess, Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren) will perform "At Last"
from Annie. Nelsen estimates that more than 50 performers will take part in
the three-day whirlwind show.
The Roadshow will visit the Kennedy Center for the first time and is
scheduled to return to SADA and Remesa, the Hispanic community centers in
Bridgeport that were added last year. Nelsen's twins Katie and Matthew will
also sing and dance for the eighth straight year on their birthdays while
father, Peter, plays the keyboard for the Roadshow.
"I would love to extend the Roadshow to another day," Nelsen said. "We have
so many talented people who want to take part. I'm getting calls all the
time from other area homes and centers. We're hoping to add Ansonia next
year to keep on growing. It brings fun to area seniors, which is what the
Festival is all about.
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