A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS' Burgandy Williams To Perform At The 2018 Emery Awards Tonight

A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS cast member Burgandy Williams will perform at The 2018 Emery Awards this evening - Wednesday, November 7, 2018 - at Cipriani Wall Street (55 Wall Street, NYC). Ms. Williams was a performer at last year's ceremony, singing Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady." She returns this year with another Queen of Soul classic - "Respect." The event will be hosted by Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (NBC's "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert"), and also features a performance from singer Wé McDonald (2017 finalist on NBC's "The Voice").

Hetrick-Martin Institute's (HMI) annual fundraiser, The Emery Awards recognizes individuals and organizations who demonstrate outstanding leadership within the LGBTQ community and those who work to address some of the most critical issues affecting HMI youth, including HIV/AIDS prevention, housing and homelessness support, education and health & wellness.

This year's awards ceremony will honor Nicola Formichetti, the Crown Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Alan Cumming and Grant Shaffer for their commitment to LGBTQ youth.

The Hetrick-Martin Institute believes all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. Hetrick-Martin creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and their families.

The theme of this year's ceremony- #HMIProud - celebrates the many accomplishments that HMI, the nation's oldest and largest organization specializing in direct services and advocacy for LGBTQ youth, has achieved in its 39-year history.

A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS, the holiday musical revue from the creative team behind the hit musicals Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical and An Evening With Phyllis Hyman returns to New York City this December for one weekend only, performing Saturday, December 15th at 8:00 pm and Sunday December 16th at 2:00 pm at The Actor's Temple Theatre (339 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

The perfect gift for the lovers of classic Gospel, R&B and Soul, A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS transports the audience back to the Disco Era, to a taping of a special holiday-themed episode of the fictional music-dance television program "Groovy Wonderland" (inspired by the hit show "Soul Train"). A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS features favorite songs from beloved groups such as The Temptations, The Supremes and The Jackson 5.

Presented by AnthonyKen LLC (Anthony Wayne and Kendrell Bowman, Producers) A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS is written by Kendrell Bowman and Anthony Wayne and directed by Mr. Bowman. The Music Director is Alonzo Harris, the choreography is by Hollie E. Wright ("Hot Feet," "Amazing Grace") and Christopher Figaro Jackson (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre).

The cast for A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS features: Anthony Wayne (Mighty Real ..., Tootsie, Pippin, Anything Goes, Priscilla ...), Burgandy Williams ("X Factor" UK 2018), Brian Davis, Wanjiru " Shiro" Kihagi, Lady Pepper, and Missa Thompson (all seen in the show's 2017 premiere production), as well as new cast members Trish Douglas, Yonathan Elias, Brandon Looney, Ryan Love, and Rahmel McDade (Mighty Real ...).