MTC’s Hot Summer Nights Presents Raissa Katona Bennett “The Way of the Heart”.

Raissa brings her unique and versatile blend of cabaret, jazz, Broadway and classical songs to Music Theatre of Connecticut for one night only!

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County’s professional award-winning theatre company, presents the next installment of MTC’s Hot Summer Nights series, Raissa Katona Bennett: “The Way of the Heart”. This will be the third performance of the Hot Summer Nights series. In her one-woman show,”The Way of the Heart”, Broadway’s (“Christine” in Phantom of the Opera) Raissa Katona Bennett takes us on a semi-autobiographical journey through her philosophy that “anything’s possible”.  Sincere, uplifting, and yet at times comedic and poignant, the show follows one woman’s dreams of Broadway with a touching tribute to the return to her hometown of Norwalk, CT,  and features an eclectic blend of Pop, Disney, Classic Broadway and the newest generation of theatre song-writers. Bennett says, “Even though the songs I’ve chosen mostly reflect the journey I’ve taken, I think they represent life’s universal milestones that we all experience.” The event will run July 29 at 8pm. MTC’s Hot Summer Nights will also feature one other one-night performance from celebrated illusionist James Mapes on August 19.

On Broadway: “Christine Daae” in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and CHESS, as a benefit for the Actor’s Fund. First National Tours:  “Jellylorum/Griddlebone” and “Jennyanydots” in CATS, and as “Lizzie Phagan” in PARADE, where she worked with the original creative team of director Harold Prince, choreographer Patricia Birch, author Alfred Uhry, and composer Jason Robert Brown. In NYC, Raissa has headlined at: Feinstein’s, Metropolitan Room, Iridium and The Laurie Beechman Theatre. She has guest starred at: The Supper Club, Rainbow Room, 88’s, Don’t Tell Mama, Chita’s, The Algonquin, and Radio City Music Hall. She has soloed with many symphony orchestras and was guest soloist at the estate of the legendary Cal Ripken, Jr. She was featured at the Lincoln Center Barnes and Noble in their Any Wednesday series, performing selections from her CD, What I Was Dreaming Of.  Her newest CD, Another Kind of Light, was released through LML Music, August, 2012, and can be purchased there or on Amazon and iTunes. Raissa was nominated for a 2013 MAC Award for Major Artist, for a 2009 MAC Award for Outstanding Female Vocalist. She received the 2010 Bistro Award and 2011 MAC Award for Outstanding Achievement as the creator, producer and host of “The Parks Concert Series”. In 2014, she was awarded a special Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Series MAC Award for this series. Raissa was also nominated for 4 Broadway World Awards in 2012, and 1 in 2013. She was nominated for the 2015 MAC Award for "Best Duo Show" with her friend and musical partner, Kenneth Gartman for their show, "3 Decades in the Dark – Raissa and Kenneth Go To the Movies". She writes a blog, “Raissa Recommends”, that highlights performances in the NYC cabaret and theater, and promotes animal rescue and a kinder, more verdant world.

MTC’s Hot Summer Nights will also feature An Evening with James Mapes: “Master of the Imagination” on Saturday, August 19 at 8pm.

The MTC MainStage 30th Anniversary Season is generously sponsored in part by The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and The Hour/Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

MTC’s “HOT SUMMER NIGHTS” TICKET/PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

• Ticket price ranges from $25-$35 for single tickets and are available now online at musictheatreofct.com or by phone at (203) 454-3883.
• Performances are Saturday, August 5 at 8pm, and Saturday, August 19 at 8pm
• MTC MainStage is located at 509 Westport Avenue (behind the Nine West Outlet) in Norwalk.