WORCESTER, Mass. - If you’re looking for the opportunity to see some popular names on Broadway perform locally, Worcester native Eric Butler is launching "Broadway in Worcester."

The concert series kicks off with Tony award winner Laura Benanti performing at the BrickBox Theater on March 18.

Benanti is also offering a free workshop for high school and college-aged students and their teachers before her performance.

A group from Burncoat High School will be there and get one-on-one time with Benanti. The students said it’s a special opportunity.

“It’s not an experience an average high schooler would have, so it’s amazing that we get to finally have that,” Burncoat senior Rachel Oppong said.

“It’s once in a lifetime for these kids. They are going to remember it always. It’s something they are going to think about it for decades to come,” Aimee Kewley, Burncoat’s Arts department head, said. “I’m hoping that just being able to see her work with kids and hear about her experience can help me in the classroom, too.”

Broadway in Worcester has plans to be an annual or bi-annual concert series.

“We want to partner with artists and Tony Award winners and Broadway stars who are committed to education and the future of the art form,” said Broadway in Worcester presenter and creator, Eric Butler. “We are lucky to work with (Benanti) in this capacity.”

Tickets for “An Evening with Tony Award Winner Laura Benanti” and the master class are on sale at jmacworcester.org. Butler said proceeds from the concert will help support the Broadway in Worcester program and other local music programs.