Justin Guarini & Mary Testa Set to Host IMAGINE Concert to Benefit Brian Werbel Memorial Fund

IMAGINE: A Concert of Hope, a benefit concert to raise funds to benefit Cancer Research through the Brian Werbel Memorial Fund at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, will take place on Monday, September 8th at 8:00 pm (le) poisson rouge (158 Bleecker St.). All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Brian Werbel Memorial Fund. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.uhgiving.org/uh-giving/get-involved/fundraising-events-and-programs/imagine.

The concert will feature performances by members of the Broadway theatre community. Scheduled to perform are: Adinah Alexander (Kinky Boots, Wicked), Jenni Barber (Wicked, The Nance), Kelli Barrett (Wicked, Baby It's You), Richard H. Blake (Jersey Boys, Matilda), Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys, Aida), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Justin Guarini (Wicked, Romeo & Juliet, Season 1 Finalist American Idol), Lisa Howard (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, South Pacific), Marcus Paul James (Motown, In The Heights, Rent), Tamika Lawrence (If/Then, Matilda, Book Of Mormon), Jarrod Spector (Beautiful, Jersey Boys), Mary Testa (Wicked, Guys & Dolls, Xanadu) and Betsy Werbel (Wicked, Les Mis). The evening will be directed by Joe Ricci with musical direction by Jodie Moore.

The Brian Werbel Memorial Fund was established to honor the memory of Brian, who passed away on May 7, 2007 at the age of 29. The mission of the fund is to advance clinical research on cancer-related initiatives, an area in which Brian was deeply involved.

"After losing my brother in 2007, I realized that life is too short and you have to make every day truly count," says Betsy Werbel. "I get to live my dream every night on Broadway. My brother had a dream to find a cure for cancer. Please join us for this celebration of Hope and help me make my brother's dream a reality."

UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University, one of only 40 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). UH Seidman Cancer Center, which opened a 150-bed freestanding cancer hospital last year, is dedicated to innovative treatments and promising research through more than 300 ongoing studies aimed at cancer treatment and prevention.

"The support of The Brian Werbel Memorial helps our nationally recognized cancer center in its mission to translate scientific discovery rapidly to patient care," said Stan Gerson, MD, Director of the UH Seidman Cancer Center. "As a result, our patients and their families have access to the nation's most advanced technology, vast experience and promising treatments."

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter-Keddy