Photo Coverage: S.T.A.G.E. Benefit L.A.

Stars of theatre, film and television gathered last weekend (March 10 and 11) for the 23rd Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.), the longest continuously running AIDS benefit in the world, raising more than $300,000 for AIDS Project Los Angeles.  This year saluting the music of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, the David Galligan-directed By Side By Side By Side By Side by Stephen Sondheim played two SRO performances at The Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills.

Show highlights included Veanne Cox, Tony-nominated for the revival of Company, reprising her role of Amy and hilariously playing all the parts in "Getting Married Today" and  performances by Kevin Earley on "Marry Me A Little," Andrew Samonsky singing "Being Alive" and cabaret star Anne Hampton Callaway doing "No One is Alone," among many others.

Television writer-producer Shaun Cassidy came out of musical retirement for the first time in 12 years (the last time he sang on stage was for another S.T.A.G.E. benefit) to join his brother Patrick on "Agony" from Into the Woods.  "Desperate Housewives" creator and executive producer Marc Cherry did an animated rendition of "Franklin Shepard Inc." from Merrily We Roll Along, joined onstage by surprise guest "Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman as the interviewer.  The show, featuring over 40 performers, closed with Charlotte Rae and an ensemble singing and signing "Children Will Listen."

Performance photos by Christopher Kane

Len Cariou and Sally Ann Howes

Alice Ripley

Veanne Cox

KT Sullivan

Charlotte Rae and Jon Maher (Sign Language Interpreter)

Jamie Anderson, Kevin Spirtas and Wilson Cruz

Andrew Samonsky

Pat Marshall

After party photos by Sharon Weisz

Gerald Sternbach (Musical Director), Sally Ann Howes and David Galligan (Producer/Director)

Kevin Earley, Ann Hampton Callaway, Veanne Cox and Marc Cherry

Patrick Cassidy and Shaun Cassidy