The Ridge Chorale has been a cultural institution in Bay Ridge Brooklyn since 1968,   when Jeff Samaha, a resident of the community, organized the first concert of the Jeff Samaha Singers. His dream to start a chorus in the community began slowly and developed into a group of 55 singers with a hand-picked orchestra that is still, to this day, conducted by Jeff.  The singers and orchestra have performed in concerts throughout the community, have raised funds for charitable organizations through performance, and have grown over the past 50 years into a full production company. The group encompasses not only the Samaha Vocal Ensemble & Orchestra, but also Jeff Samaha Theater Productions which has produced full-book Broadway shows since 2002 and the Ridge Chorale Youth Theater which made its debut in 2008.  The three divisions have produced some of Broadway’s most challenging productions including Children of Eden, Ragtime, Miss Saigon, West Side Story, Smokey Joe’s Café, Fame the Musical, Shout! The Mod Musical, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Producers, Seussical the Musical, Les Miserables, Parade, Mary Poppins, Hairspray,  Beauty and the Beast and Annie! The group has performed at numerous 3rd and 5th Avenue Festivals, former Senator Marty Golden’s and former Councilman Dominic Recchia’s Summer Concert Series, and for many community organizations, including AARP and Lutheran Augustana Home.