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Empower, encourage and inspire people of all ages never to give upon their dream.

"When you dare to dream and pursue your dream with passion, all things are possible."

The power of your imagination can take you anywhere. If you don’t believe that, just ask Felichia Wright, the star of Sacha on Broadway. Ms. Wright is an upcoming junior at the University of Central Florida. But, her main job these days is portraying the lead character in, Sacha on Broadway. Who is Sacha? Well, I’m so glad that you asked. A story about a young woman who has big dreams of performing on Broadway is the focal point of this play. She ultimately realizes that the power from within is the key to success. However, like any goal in your life, obstacles are sure to follow.

There would be no real story without the villains, right? In this play, there are plenty that challenge Sacha and discourage her from making it to Broadway. These people reminded her that she was not good enough and that she was wasting her time. Like any group, there is a leader. Harriet the Owl is truly mean. It is her job to scare Sacha and it works. Believe me; if you saw Harriet the Owl; you’d be afraid, too! Harriet the Owl is scary, but not her alter ego, Phedre M. Brown is a loving mother and a promising actress in her own right. Mrs. Brown plays a dual role in this play as Sacha’s mother and Harriet the Owl. She has been performing for many years, including having been classically trained in voice at the famed Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. “Working with this play has been a blessing and I am challenged more and more by portraying two roles. At one point I am helping Sacha as her mother, but then Harriet the Owl tries to destroy her,” says Phedre.

Luckily Sacha has a Magic Goodmother. Don’t we all need that? That special someone who is right there just when we are about to give up makes all the difference. Sound like a fairytale story? Well, it really is. The vocal talents of Rita Kay are undeniable. What a powerful voice! Believe me, the singing between Phedre and Rita makes this play worth it.

What would a play be without a supporting cast? Through Sacha’s imagination, she meets many characters that help and hurt her in her quest to Broadway. The talents of Robert Beharry (Martin the Frog), Natalie Irizarry (Rita the Rat), Laura LaLanne (Dolly the Duck), Shaylin Mack (Polliwog), Brittany Cheek (Polliwog), James Brown (King Akaash), and Ronald Diltz (Ego) complete this amazing play.

A special bonus for the Orlando audience was the talent of Dewayne Barrett who served as the choreographer for Sacha on Broadway. Having choreographed all over the world for A Chorus Line and West Side Story, Mr. Barrett didn’t disappoint. No one will forget the fancy foot work by Rita the Rat any time soon.

Central Florida is becoming a performing arts haven for many artists who are looking to expand their horizons in this very lucrative field. Dr. Ruth Joyce Colbert-Barnes is truly serving as one of the advocates for the arts. Her company, the Colbert Group brought this play to Orlando. To top it off, the play was held at the famous Jones High School, a local celebrity on its own. “Keeping our heritage alive through the arts helps so many of our students ascertain scholarships for college.” says Dr. Barnes. Dr. Barnes, along with local sponsors made Sacha on Broadway a reality. Dr. Barnes has plans to bring more plays to Orlando and although she can’t reveal them yet, you’ll see them very soon.

So, behind every great play, is a visionary who sees potential before reality. Sandi Morais, Director and Co-writer of this family musical is more than a professional fitness expert, teacher and actress. And, she’s more than a pretty face, too. She has a passion for people who aspire to go for their dreams and does her best to get them there. Before she knew it, Sacha on Broadway was born.

“Everyone can relate to Sacha on Broadway. It’s not just for young girls. Men can identify with having a dream and all the work that comes along with it,” chimes in Phillip Michael Thomas. Yes, THAT one.

Having been business partners for more than twenty years, Sandi Morais and Philip Michael Thomas are in a way…Sacha’s parents. After all, they gave her life. They made her real and she’s been growing for almost seven years now, including having performed at Hampton University.

Philip Michael Thomas is no stranger to the stage. He is the renowned 1980s icon from the hit television series, Miami Vice. Ricardo Tubbs earned him a permanent place in history as the sexy, good-looking detective who wore pastels like no other. Sandi, Dr. Barnes and Philip have been doing several interviews and they even stopped by my talk show, Hip & Happening to discus the show. After twenty years, he’s still gorgeous.

Philip serves as the Executive Producer and Co-writer for Sasha on Broadway and he is the composer of all the music and lyrics featured in the play.

Opening night was complete with a Red Carpet Interviews sponsored by Jericho Broadcasting Networks and ONYX Magazine. On Friday, June 1, 2007 all eyes were headed to Jones High School. A crowd of over 700 enjoyed Sacha and her journey through her imagination. Roy M. Eavins, CEO of Jericho also provided a live streaming broadcast during the red carper that you can view at www.jerichobraodcastnetworks.com

If you are not enticed by now, I don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Dr. Barnes, Philip Michael Thomas and Sandi Morais are bringing this enchanting musical love story Sasha on Broadway back to Orlando soon. They even plan to take Sacha on Broadway on a mini tour to Daytona, Tampa and Jacksonville. So, check local listings for details.

What are your dreams? If you catch Sacha on Broadway she’ll help you get there!

Forest of Imagination - Rita Kay- Magic Goodmother, Felichia Wright -Sacha, Shaylin Mack- Goodie

Phedre M. Brown - Harriet the Owl, Natalie Irizarry - Rita the Rat, Brittany Cheek - Polliwog

Laura LaLanne - Dolly the Duck, Shaylin Mack - Polliwog and Felichia Wright as Sacha

Back row- Britanny Cheek, James Brown, Rita Kay, Felichia Wright, Phedre Brown,Ronald Diltz ll, Shaylin Mack.

Sacha Goodman: is a butterfly trapped in a cocoon. She is a multi-talented young girl. Her lifetime dream is to become a Broadway star. Sacha graduated from New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida. In high school Sacha was always timid, shy and insure. She was always picked on by a classmate by the name of Crystal Lynch. They were both theatre majors but Sacha always felt threaten by Crystal Lynch due to her own insecurities. Upon graduation of High School Sacha was accepted at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Sacha's family relocated to New York City in order to support her dream of becoming a Broadway star. While Sacha was studying at American Academy of Dramatic Arts she was selected by her drama teacher to audition for a new Broadway musical titled "Miami on Broadway" that was scheduled to debut in New York City, but Sacha decided not to audition because she heard that her high school nemesis Crystal Lynch was attending the same audition. Sacha's fears and insecurities overpowered her at the thought of facing Crystal Lynch again. Her mother Olive Goodman confronted Sacha regarding her decision of not attending the audition. The confrontation brought out her mother's secret of giving up on her dream, so Sacha believes that her mother's support and encouragement over the years was due to the fact that her mother is trying to live vicariously through her. Sacha is on an emotional roller coaster ride and has to go through a metamorphosis and find the courage from within to over-come her fears and insecurities in order to spread her wings and fly. Sacha had a dream that turned into a nightmare and Sacha had to face all of her fears.

Olive Goodman: is an attractive middle- aged woman. She is a devoted mother and wife. She relocated from Miami, Florida to New York City with her family in order to support her daughter Sacha's dream of becoming a Broadway Star. Olive works as an account for an advertising firm in Rockefeller Plaza. She gave up on her dream of becoming a prima ballerina twenty five years ago and has lived an unfulfilled and empty life as a result of it. She lives somewhat vicariously through Sacha. Olive kept her secret of giving up on her dream from her family because she did not want to be perceived as a failure. Olive was forced to reveal her secret to Sacha when she found out that Sacha was about to walk away from her dream just the way she did twenty- five years ago. Olive revealed her secret to Sacha in order to stop Sacha from continuing on with the generation curse and the cycle of broken dreams.

Marcus Goodman: is a singer, song writer that never made it in the music business. He has a master's degree in music and teaches at the university. Marcus is devoted to his wife Olive, his son Marcus Jr. and his daughter Sacha. He made a sacrifice to relocate from Miami, Florida to New York City to help Sacha to pursue her dream of becoming a Broadway star.

Crystal Lynch: is stuck up, obnoxious, ego centric and high strong. Crystal thinks she is the cat's meow. She is from a very wealthy family in Miami, Florida. Crystal attended New World High School of the Performing Arts, the same high school that Sacha attended. During high school Crystal was always chosen to play the lead roll in the school plays. Sacha always made it in the ensemble. Crystal intimidated Sacha throughout high school. She played on Sacha's weakness and insecurities. Crystal is very talented and she was accepted at Juliard Performing Arts school in New York City.

Magic Goodmother: is from the Supreme-Conscious world of the Kingdom of Akasha. She is of divine spirit. The Magic Goodmother is the clairvoyant magical mystical angelic story-teller. She is warm, caring and compassionate. The Magic Goodmother nurtures and guides Sacha throughout the dream and encourages her to look within herself and follow her heart.

Samantha /Sam the Snake: is a two-faced viper who is under The Spell of Impossible. Sam is cunning, vile, unscrupulous and despicable. Sam enjoys deceiving people. When Sacha meets Sam in the Forest of Imagination and asks for help to find the Bridge to Forever, Sam along with the Polliwogs manipulates Sacha and sends her deep into the dark part of the forest where she gets lost in the Place of Impossible.

Dolly the Duck: is schizophrenic and confused. Dolly is under The Spell of Impossible. Dolly is always afraid and questions everything. Dolly is fickle and giddy. She gets picked on all the time by Rita/Ray the Rat because of her constant winning and complaining. When Rita/Ray the Rat executed the plan to try and escape from the Place of Impossible Dolly agrees to go along with the plan. When it is time for them to escape Dolly decides that she is not going. As a result of her indecisiveness they get caught by Harriet the horrible Owl. Rita/Ray the Rat puts the blame on Dolly and she does not defend herself. Dolly accepts the blame.

Rita/Ray the Rat: is the leader of the pack. Rita/Ray is sneaky, devious and deceitful. Rita/Ray picks on Dolly the Duck and puts her down all the time. Rita/Ray is disgusted with Dolly's habitual winning and complaining. When Sacha meets Rita/Ray in the Forest of Imagination and asks for help to find the Bridge to Forever Rita/Ray double crosses Sacha and takes her to Harriet the horrible Owl. Rita/Ray executed a plan with Sam, Dolly and the Polliwogs to escape from The Place of Impossible but gets caught by Harriet the Owl. Rita/Ray denies anything to do with the plan and blames it on Dolly the Duck.

Polliwogs: are clones. They are easily led. The Polliwogs have a short attention span and they don't think rational. The Polliwogs are not emotionally mature and they just go with the flow. The Polliwogs helped Sam the Snake to manipulate Sacha and send her deep into the Place of Impossible where she got lost.

Old Geezer: is the gate keep to the dungeon. He is Harriet the horrible Owl's henchman. Old Geezer walks with a limp, his hair is wild and crazy and he speaks with a strange voice. Old Geezer spies on Martin the Frog, Dolly the Duck, Sam the Snake, Rita/Ray the Rat and the Polliwogs. He reports to Harriet every move that they make in order to gain favor with Harriet the horrible Owl.

King Akaash/Martin the Frog: is from the Supreme-Conscious World of the Kingdom of Akasha. He is the sole heir to the Kingdom of Akasha. The Kingdom of Akasha is a place of love, peace and harmony. In order for King Akaash to take his rightful place and rule the Kingdom of Akasha he has to fulfill a sovereign agreement and find true love. King Akaash is betrayed by Ego the warlock who is his best friend. Ego cast the Spell of Impossible and turned King Akaash into a hump back, bubbled eyed ugly old frog so that he would never find true love and never inherit the Kingdom of Akasha. Although King Akaash was turned into Martin the Frog his indomitable spirit could not be broken. Martin the Frog believed that the cruel injustice that was done to him by his best friend would one day change and he would be free. When Martin meets Sacha in the Place of Impossible he is enchanted by her and risks his life to save her from The spell of Impossible.

Ego/Harriet the Owl : is a back stabbing warlock. Ego is jealous and envious of King Akaash's wealth and power. Ego betrays King Akaash by stealing from his secret chamber. When King Akaash found out that Ego had betrayed him he banished Ego from his palace. Infuriated with the king for banishing him from the place Ego cast The evil Spell of Impossible on King Akaash and his kingdom. Ego transformed into Harriet the horrible Owl, who was ruthless, corrupt, controlling and malicious and became the ruler of The Place of Impossible.

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Philip Michael Thomas and Sandi Morais guest on NYC-TV with host Mickey Burns August 30, 2005.

New York City cast of "Sacha on Broadway"

Ashford & Simpson with Sandi

opening night of Sacha September 23, 2005 in New York City.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SACHA ON BROADWAY.

In 1999 Philip Michael Thomas and Sandi Morais wrote their first children's book titled "Sacha and the Magic Cookie Maker Coloring Story Book and other short stories which was illustrated by Philip's eleven year old daughter Imajhananda Thomas. The play Sacha and the Magic Cookie Maker evolved from the coloring story book into a family musical and opened at the Fort Lauderdale Children's Theater January 12th, 2001. Sacha and the Magic Cookie Maker opened at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia October 2001, Florida International University Mary Ann Wolfe Theater August 2002, Hollywood Playhouse August 2003. In February 2004 at Ocean Reef Cultural Arts Center, Ocean Reef, Florida the play was performed as a Musical Review. Sacha a Musical Review also opened at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center in January 2005 and at the Byron Carlyle Theater March 2005. The play was further developed and the story line and title was changed from Sacha and the Magic Cookie Maker to "Sacha on Broadway", a story about young woman's dream to become a Broadway Star. The landmark production of "SACHA ON BROADWAY" opened at the Theater of the Riverside Church in New York City September 23, 2005.

Spotlight - Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre - Sacha and the Magic Cookie Maker - Click to Read About It!

Spotlight - Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre, Spring 2001 Issue

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SACHA AND THE MAGIC COOKIE MAKER MAKER Illustrated by Imajhananda Thomas (Age 11)

Click here to read about IMAJHANANDA the Illustrator of the "COLORING STORY BOOK"

Philip Michael Thomas & Sandi Morais

Sharing Similar goals in children's education has created a perfect match. "We love to inspire, encourage and empower the minds of children. As destiny took its course, we teamed up to create The Young Readers Sacred Circle Ed-You-Tainment 2000 (Education Through Entertainment). This series of stories comes with music and fun activities that will help stimulate auditory skills, critical thinking and enhance the creative imagination."

C lick here to read about the authors, Philip Michael Thomas and Sandi Morais

And so it begins...

"Once upon a time ago there lived a little girl named Sacha. Sacha lived in a little village named Hollyrocks with her Daddy and Mommy and her big sister Monica. Sacha had a dog named Chow Chow and a cat named Black. Sacha loved cookies. Chocolate chip cookies were her favorite."

Join Sacha and her friends in a magical adventure...and read the other short stories in this wonderful coloring story book. You will also enjoy the original music written and produced by Philip Michael Thomas.

CLICK HERE TO SAMPLE A PAGE FROM THE COLORING BOOK TO COLOR!

"Sacha and the Magic Cookie Maker"

Featuring Sandi Morais and Philip Michael Thomas

Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre was honored when Philip Michael Thomas, star of stage and screen, contacted us to produce his original children's musical, written in collaboration with local artist, Sandi Morais. This imaginative tale with its beautiful music and touching story came to life on our stage January 12, 2001 and played to sold out houses for its 4 week run. Click Here to Read Full Story >

THE OLIVE EXCELL FOUNDATION

The Olive Excell Foundation was established in 2004 by her daughter Sandi Morais in collaboration with the Philip Michael Thomas Foundation for the Arts. Olive Carol Excell sunrise began in St Andrew, Jamaica on February 12, 1931 and her sunset on April 1st, 2003. She worked as a clerk at the Kingston Public Hospital's Fracture Clinic. She had four children of her own. She had a special love and compassion for children in need. Mother Olive brought a number of children into her home, some she literally raised from infancy. She also raised a number of nieces and nephews too many to mention who benefited from her love and caring. Olive Excell lived an eventful life. There was never a dull moment with her. Her house was always full of children. She was a simple woman with a big heart and a lot of love to give. She left an indelible mark on everyone who came in contact with her.

To celebrate her life and continue her Legacy the Olive Excell Foundation will help to provide scholarships to children who have shown ambition and enthusiasm towards the arts and education. And also child who wants to further their education but is experiencing financal hardship. The foundation will also help to provide clothes, school supplies and assistance to children in need in Jamaica and the world.