Eliza Dushku

Theater benefit at Noho academy

A benefit showing of the Boston-made independent film "On Broadway" is scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. at the Academy of Music in Northampton.

The movie is not about New York. It is, rather, about an Irish-American family in Boston, suffering hardship while holding onto their culture. It was written and directed by Dave McLaughlin, who will be at the benefit and participate in a talkback.

The movie features Joey McIntyre, Mike O’Malley, Jill Flint, Eliza Dushku, Amy Poehler, Lance Greene, Sean Lawler and Will Arnett.

Tonight’s showing will benefit the Chester Theatre Company, Main Street Motion Media and the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School.

Vincent Dowling, founder of the Chester Theatre Company (formerly Miniature Theatre of Chester), called the characters believable and the story moving.

"When I saw the premiere at the Independent Film Festival in Boston, I realized the film was much more than a fine, authentic Irish-American story," said Dowling, a native of Ireland and past performer at the Abbey Theatre.

"I realized it was an immigrant story, a truly hopeful immigrant story ... In this truly-told middle class story of today, we recognize the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of a noble race that survived famine, exile, humiliation and unimaginable poverty."

Tickets are $12.50. Tickets to the movie and a reception are $35.