About the Event

Tickets

Venue

Brewery and Tap Room
485 New Park Avenue
West Hartford, CT

New Park Brewing was founded in 2015 by John Doyle, Alex Dee, and Tom Atkins. Our vision was to create the highest quality beer along with an establishment that fostered memorable experiences for family, friends, and our community. After endless home brewing and experimentation, tasting events, and community building, the brewery was opened to the public in March of 2017. Since then our staff has grown to more than 20+ employees, with each team member working together to bring you the best possible experience and quality product.

Incredible artisanal beer is what this company was founded on, and is still paramount to our success and values. We have expanded to offer minimal intervention wines, heirloom cider, and sourdough pizza, with even more offerings soon to come. Not to mention our beautifully renovated event spaces suitable for weddings and other private parties.

Despite our continuous evolution, our focus has remained the same since day one: to offer our community the highest quality beverages and experiences that we possibly can. We strive to continue raising the bar for the craft brewing industry, and to carry on New Park as an institution that values integrity, inclusivity, and innovation.

Parking for this event will be 100% valet parking courtesy of LAZ Parking.

Dinner will be under the grande tent courtesy of Taylor Rental.

Event Menu

Artists & Performers - Check back for additional performers!

CO-HOSTS

OLIVIA FENTON

PERFORMERS

ROSEMARIE BESKIND is a retired elementary school teacher (WHPS-Braeburn!) who is actively involved with community theatre, acting and directing comedies and dramas... and formerly, singing and dancing in musicals. Rosemarie loves Monday morning tap class with Playhouse Theatre Academy because she is inspired by Darlene’s extraordinary teaching style and she gets to dance with very talented and much younger students! The secret to longevity? KEEP MOVING!

MADDI BOWMAN is a NYC-based musical theatre performer. You can see her as Kate in Playhouse on Park’s production of THE WILD PARTY this summer! She was most recently seen understudying Carole King and other roles in Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE ING MUSICAL. In addition to her work onstage, Maddi is a songwriter. Her new single, “Birthday Wish” is out now on all streaming platforms. She is represented by The Roster Agency. IG: @maddibowman

RICK FOUNTAIN has been seen at Playhouse on Park in CHIGAGO (Amos), PIPPIN (Charlemagne), MAMA D’s OUTRAGEOUS ROMP, SAY SOMETHING FUNNY (A Tribute to Carol Burnett), IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE (Mouse) and is an original member of Darlene Zoller's stop/time dance theater, appearing in all 20 of their original shows. A member of the Falcetti Four, he has been seen in countless cabaret performances representing Playhouse on Park for more than a decade. A 35-year veteran of musical theater, Rick has performed in over a dozen area theaters. IG: @rickfountainjr

KENNETH GALM is an award-winning actor, singer, and musician. Regional: CRT: SWEENEY TODD (Tobias) *CT Critics Circle Award, Playhouse On Park: ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914, THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DR. WONDERFUL (AND HER DOG!), A CHARLES DICKENS CHRISTMAS. @kennethgalm

ROBERT MINTZ may be recognized by Playhouse on Park audiences as Cosmo Brown in last summer’s SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, which he also choreographed. His previous PoP credits include directing/choreographing THE PROM, DR. WONDERFUL, and POLKADOTS and co-choreographing BANDSTAND (CTCC Nomination). As a performer, he has been seen at The Kennedy Center, Walnut Street Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, and The Fulton. This summer he’ll be tapping up a storm in 42ND STREET at Sharon Playhouse. IG: @mintzterpiecetheater

JULIA SOLECKI has appeared in several Playhouse shows including: Dora Bailey U/S Lina Lamont SINGING IN THE RAIN, Ensemble U/S Mrs. Greene THE PROM, Ensemble U/S Julia Trojan BANDSTAND, Player PIPPIN. You can see her this summer in The Wild Party! Thank you Darlene, Sean, Tracy, and the rest of the Playhouse team for your continued trust in me! www.juliasolecki.com IG: @julia.solecki

MICHELLE WIRKUS started her dance training at Gloria Jean’s Studio of Dance throughout her youth. She graduated from Bucknell University with a BS in Biochemistry and a minor in Dance, while performing and choreographing for the Bucknell Dance Company. She had the special honor of performing in Beijing, China her senior year with the company showcasing American tap and jazz dance styles for an international arts festival. In 2009, she reconnected with her college dance professor and mentor, performing with Matter Dance Company while studying at various studios throughout Chicago. Michelle has been practicing as a Critical Care RN for the past decade. She recently rekindled her passion for dance and has performed with Immix Dance Project, CT Tap Collaborative and with Darlene Zoller in productions of MAMA D'S OUTRAGEOUS ROMP. Michelle is honored and humbled at the opportunity to perform at Encore! 

Dancing til' midnight to the music of Latanya Farrell!

Latanya is an ordinary woman with an ordinary life who brings an extraordinary voice to the music scene during live performances and on her debut album “Feelin’ Alright”. Uplifting melodies and powerful vocals are the hallmark of her songs about life, love and happiness. Latanya Farrell has emerged as a band leader full of energy who is uniquely gifted at engaging audiences with her bright smile and impeccable style. Blending Latanya’s original music with popular cover tunes, she performs to packed houses throughout New England. Her presence is infectious and the energy keeps flowing throughout the entire performance with music that ranges from soulful classics to urban contemporary to her inspiring originals.

Extraordinary Voice
Latanya's powerful performances are packed with people both far and near who come to hear her incredible vocals. Dubbed the “Queen of Summer Concerts” by the Hartford Courant in 2013, Latanya Farrell is a multitalented gifted singer, songwriter, and performer with genuine passion, energy, and a love for music and life.

Since winning Connecticut Star Search in 2003, Latanya has had leading musical roles which include performing “Songs in the Key of Life” at the Bushnell Theater as well as other large venues sharing the stage with amazing artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Air Supply.

Latanya has been featured on several albums including her longtime friend and world-renowned saxophonist Jimmy Greene’s Grammy Award nominated album, “A Beautiful Life”, which was dedicated to Jimmy and Nelba Márquez-Greene’s beautiful precious daughter, Ana Grace, who was tragically lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Energetic Performer
Latanya's award-winning vocal talent and style have been influenced by Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Jill Scott. With performance roots in her family church and community events, her career took off shortly after she was named Champion of the 2003 Connecticut Star Search competition.

Listen to Latanya and get excited to dance at Encore!

Underwriters

Underwriters help cover costs associated with the event, allowing Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. to raise even more money to support Playhouse on Park and Playhouse Theatre Academy. Underwriters receive recognition at the event, in the program, and receive two tickets to attend Encore.

Thank you to our 2026 Underwriters!

Decor
Anonymous

Dinner
Ruth & Ron Van Winkle

Desserts
Peter & Gene Evans

Photo Booth
Gail & David Mangs

Performer Meals
Gaetano & Jayne Albani

Under 40 Ticket

Creative Development LLC
Create Independence

Consider becoming an Underwriter today. The following opportunities are still available:

NEED! Underwriter - Cocktail Reception $2,500 link to purchase

NEED! Underwriter - Tent $5,000 link to purchase

NEED! Underwriter - Entertainment $5,000 link to purchase

NEED! Ticket Underwriters - $250 Underwrite the cost of a VIP Guest, Auctioneer, or Staff to attend the event. You will be recognized in the program, on the website and at the event. link to purchase

Our Sponsors

Thank you to the following businesses for their support of Encore! On Tap

Become a Sponsor! Click here for our Sponsorship Packet.

BREW MASTER

Richard and Lea Rubenstein


CICERONES

THE GOLDEN GROWLERS

THE PINT POURERS

THE CHEERS CREW

Auction

To donate to our auction, click for the Auction informational packet.