LAYTON—On Pitch Performing Arts (OPPA) welcomes Broadway star Kerry Butler as the featured guest artist for the 2023 Broadway Community Concert on Jan. 28 at Layton High. Butler is known for her work in “Hairspray,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Mean Girls,” and was nominated for a Tony Award for “Xanadu.” She is currently playing the role of Barbara Maitland in the Broadway musical “Beetlejuice.” 

Laura Bell Bundy, OPPA’s 2022 Broadway Community Concert performer will make a guest appearance on stage that weekend hosting her Acting Through Song Workshop for youth and adults Jan. 27, 28. 

“Laura did it last year and had such a great time she’s coming back,” said Danielle Bendinelli, Development Director On Pitch Performing Arts. “She got us in contact with Butler.”

Bundy’s two day workshop is a master class, Bendinelli said. “It’s an intimate program limited to 10 people that teaches acting through song and musical theater.”

OPPA started in 2016 and specializes in children’s arts education and performing, she said. “It’s a full semester for kids and youth shows. We also have community theater shows with open call. There are 24 productions between the kids and community theater. Our stage is small and intimate.”

Through a partnership with Layton RAMP, OPPA can offer discounts on tickets, Bendinelli said. “We want to get as many guests as possible to see this Broadway performance.”

OPPA’s Main Stage can seat 100 and the Black Box 65, she said. “This concert will bring in a much bigger audience for sure. Layton High’s auditorium seats about 1,600-1,800.”

The theater has a full education department, said Bendinelli. “OPPA has a small staff of five but up to 20 contracted workers. Some are teachers during the day. We have an after-school program so they teach in the evening, usually one day a week. A lot of returning teachers come.”

The schedule runs in conjunction with the Davis School District calendar, she said. “It starts in August and goes through January with a performance in January and then the next semester starts. If they don’t have school we don’t hold class.”

They also have a summer workshop and camps, Bendinelli said. “The workshop is four weeks in a row every day. They work throughout the day and have a performance at the end of the summer. We also offer one week classes and small summer camps. In the summer we can have up to 60 kids because we double cast. It’s a small stage so 40 on stage is a lot.”

OPPA is a unique experience, said Bendinelli. “It’s more like off-Broadway theater. You’re basically sitting on the stage with the performers. There is something for everyone.”

They also have a program called new works, she said. “It’s shows that have never been produced or performed before and we turn it into a premier show. We’re the producers and take the raw script and work with the playwright. They can be 20 minute shows, one act plays or full productions. We have open auditions for actors who are able to develop the characters for the first time.”

The next two kids’ performances are Seussical Kids, Jan. 13-17 and Beauty and the Beast Jr. Jan. 19-23. 

OPPA is enrolling now for the next semester, Bendinelli said. “It’s really about education – the show is just a benefit.”

The Broadway Community Concert will be held Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Layton High School auditorium at 440 Wasatch Dr. Tickets are $35 but patrons can receive a discount by using the code ramprocks at checkout before Jan. 27. The offer is only available through the ticketing website at www.onthestage.tickets/show/layton-high-school/6363fc5b411e330e44004ac0OPPA.

OPPA is located at 587 N. Main St. in Layton. For more information visit http://www.onpitchperformingarts.com/.

“Come check us out,” said Bendinelli. “We’re a very unique venue. You wouldn’t even know that we’re here or that we’re as big as we are for the amount of productions we do throughout the year. We’re small but mighty.”