NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Broadway producer and founder of Broadway Records, Van Dean, grew up in Trumbull.
Dean’s life as a producer changed after the tragedy at Sandy Hook, he jumped in and helped where he could. He works with the New Arts Organization that produces summer productions in the community. He brings actors from Broadway who also get involved with the children from Newtown. It’s three years running now.
When the massacre in Orlando happened at the Pulse nightclub, he jumped in again and helped to gather luminaries from Broadway to record a song to raise money for the LGBT Center in Florida. He’s a man with a heart in the Big Apple.
“I was in the middle of recording “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at the time, but I immediately jumped on it and we had a meeting that day while I was at the other recording and two days later we were in the studio with 64 top Broadway stars putting together this charity single,” said Dean. “We had everyone from Rose to Sara Bareilles, Idina Menzel, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Kristen Bell.
The recording has already raised $100,000. Dean says with so many tragedies going on in the world, he knows he’ll continue to do what he can to do good when there is bad. You can find out more about Dean here.
