Producer Judith Ann Abrams brings Broadway and Theatre Education Credentials to the Growing Momentum for the Legacy Museum
(New York, NY) Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 – The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center (OHMTEC) is pleased to announce the addition of award-winning Broadway and West End Producer, Judith Ann Abrams, to its board. Judy is founder and producer of the acclaimed family musical theater company, The Broadway Pixie Judy Troupe – discovered by famed composer Richard Rodgers. Judy was hired by Rodgers to produce three of her troupe’s cast albums with The London Symphony Orchestra for The Rodgers and Hammerstein Music Library.
Judy is one of the original creators of The Equity Children’s Theatre Contract. Her Troupe performed in every top theatre in the U.S. and London and for two Presidents and their children at The White House.
The Troupe’s special performances, given to introduce live theater to underserved populations of the inner cities, were hosted by guest stars such as Helen Hayes, Hal Prince, Liza Minnelli, Cy Coleman, Elaine Stritch and Diana Ross, and garnered Ms. Abrams three Mayoral Appreciation Awards and the coveted Jefferson Award for Community Service.
The third generation of her family to go into theater, Judy has won multiple Tony and Olivier Awards for several of her Broadway, West End and National and International touring productions such as, “Spring
Awakening,” “Kinky Boots,” “Funny Girl,” “Company,” “Lehman Trilogy,” and “Come From Away.” Judy recently received rave reviews for the London productions of “Mrs. DoubtFire” and “Crazy for You.”
OHMTEC is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to purchase, restore, and preserve Oscar Hammerstein II’s former home and creative epicenter at Highland Farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Recently a generous group of local philanthropists joined forces to fund a $500,000 matching gift challenge to raise the funds necessary for the nonprofit to secure Highland Farm by August 1st. All donations received through August 1st will be matched, making this an ideal time to make a gift to the museum. In recent weeks the Miranda Family Fund and Broadway icon Lin-Manuel Miranda have thrown their support behind the museum with a generous gift.
Oscar Hammerstein II lived with his family at Highland Farm for the last 20 years of his life. This is the place where he forged his legendary partnership with Richard Rodgers and that inspired many of their greatest musical works, including “The Sound of Music,“ “Carousel,” “The King and I,” “Oklahoma!,” and “South Pacific,” and where he mentored a young Stephen Sondheim. This is also where Hammerstein committed an hour of each work-day towards society. One of his best known humanitarian efforts was the creation of Welcome House, an international adoption agency for children of mixed-race, that he founded along with friend and neighbor, Pearl Buck. Over 75 Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and Pulitzer Prizes can be directly traced back to Highland Farm.
OHMTEC’s mission is to honor the Broadway legend’s groundbreaking work as a lyricist, librettist, mentor, and humanitarian and to educate and inspire the next generation of theater aficionados, with special opportunities for diverse and underserved communities.
Individuals and entities interested in being a part of this legacy project can visit OHMTEC’s donation page at HammersteinMuseum.org. Contributions of any amount can be made by check, credit card or appreciated securities. Naming opportunities are available for rooms and spaces in the house and barn. For information email [email protected].
