Batt, Foa, Finley, McArdle and More Perform in Oct. 17 LREI Hurricane Relief Concert
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 08, 2005
The concert will feature Bryan Batt (Beauty and the Beast, La Cage aux Folles), Laura Benanti (the upcoming The Wedding Singer, Nine), Judy Blazer (Titanic), Tituss Burgess (Jersey Boys), Frenchie Davis (Rent, "American Idol"), Shannon Durig (Hairspray), Felicia Finley (The Wedding Singer, Aida), Barrett Foa (Avenue Q), Malcolm Gets (Amour, A New Brain), Dirk Lumbard (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Andrea McArdle (Annie, State Fair), Kate Pazakis (NEWSical), Billy Porter (Grease, Smokey Joe's Cafe) and Jayne Trinette (Smokey Joe's Cafe). Ari Gold (2002 Outmusic Award for Outstanding Debut Recording) and the LREI Performers will also sing at the concert.
The benefit has as its producer one of LREI High School's students--the 17 year-old Javier Picayo. In addition to assembling a stellar cast of performers, he has also arranged for Richard Gere to attend the concert. The benefit will be directed by Donna Drake, and feature musical direction by Ben Toth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell.
Proceeds from the concert will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. According to the organization's website, "Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action." In this case, the organization is providing relief to those who lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina.
For more information, visit www.lrei.org or www.habitatforhumanity.org.
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