Benanti, Ferguson, Etc. Set for Holiday Benefit Concert

On Monday, December 18th, at 8pm, the historic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (the Center) will ring in the season with a one-night-only concert of holiday songs benefiting the Center and Huntington's Disease Society of America.

"Miracle on 13th Street" will feature performances by Becca Ayers (Les Miserables), Heather Ayers (Five Course Love), Laura Benanti (The Wedding Singer), Jenn Colella (High Fidelity), Amy Connolly, Max von Essen (Dance of the Vampires), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (CBS's "The Class"), Jonathan Freeman (Disney's Aladdin), Sara Gettelfinger (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked), Julia Murney (Wicked), Steven Pasquale (FX's "Rescue Me," upcoming Alien vs Predator 2), Meredith Patterson (42nd Street), Robb Sapp (Wicked, Zanna, Don't!), Cabaret and Concert legend, Billy Stritch, Mary Testa (42nd Street), and Shonn Wiley (Dracula).

"The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center provides a home for the birth, nurture, and celebration of LGBT organizations, institutions, and culture. They care for individuals and groups in need, educate the public and the LGBT community, and empower individuals and groups to achieve their fullest potential. Established in 1983, the Center has grown to become the largest LGBT multi-service organization on the East Coast and second largest LGBT community center in the world. They provide groundbreaking social service, public policy, educational, and cultural/recreational programs and serve as an incubator for grassroots groups that meet in the Center's facilities," state press notes.

The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) is a national non profit health organization dedicated to finding a cure for Huntington's Disease while providing support and services for those living with HD and their families.  Founded in 1967 by Marjorie Guthrie, HDSA promotes and supports both basic and clinical HD research, aids families throughout the continuum of HD and educates families, the public and healthcare professionals about this devastating disease.

The evening will be directed by and Jamie McGonnigal (The Secret Garden, Pippin, Children of Eden World AIDS Day Concerts) and presented by McGonnigal and Meredith Patterson, with music direction by Mark Hartman (Pippin, Rags Concerts, Avenue Q, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life). The concert will also feature a silent auction including several items of great interest to theatergoers.

General admission is $25 and a limited number of VIP seats will be available for $100. Refreshments will be served. The concert will be presented at the Center, 208 West 13th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues. To place reservations, please contact the Center at 212-620-7310 or visit www.gaycenter.org.