Broadway's Discoettes to Debut Sunday, May 1 Singing Disco Hits at Carson Kressley Hosted Benefit

This coming Sunday, May 1, 2016, will mark the debut of Broadway's Discoettes, a group made up of theater favorites Carmen Ruby Floyd, Harriett D. Foy and Laiona Michelle. The group will strut their stuff, and sing some great disco hits, at the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation (ADRLF) Disco Bowl Spring Fling Benefit. The event, hosted by Emmy Award-winning television personality, Carson Kressley (Dancing with the Stars, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), will feature hours of bowling, free sangria, beer and bites, before the fabulous concert.

The concert was the idea of Foy, who is also on the ADRLF board. ADRLF is a non-profit organization, which provides resources, screenings, as well as educational outreach in conjunction with esteemed health partnerships. The foundation was founded in honor of Al D. Rodriguez, an actor and good friend of Foy. He died from liver cancer within six weeks of diagnosis. As Foy explained, Rodriguez never knew that his hepatitis could lead to liver cancer -- he was uninsured and, while he went to the doctor, he never received a comprehensive health evaluation. The scariest part -- he was completely asymptomatic until one night, when he woke up coughing up blood, and, one trip to the emergency room later, he found out about the cancer. Educating people about hepatitis and liver cancer was one of his final wishes -- and the reason Foy and the rest of the ladies are working so hard on this show. (She has also enlisted the help of theater veteran Kenny Brawner, currently in The Total Bent at the Public, who is serving as musical director and singing "YMCA" with the ladies.)

Tickets can be purchased by going here, on the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation's website: http://ow.ly/10nlSK.

BroadwayWorld recently had a chance to ask some questions of all three ladies about their upcoming show. Here is what they had to say:

QUESTION: How would you describe the show you are doing on Sunday?

Floyd: Divas Gone 70's Wild

Foy: Our show is a compilation of the top Disco songs of the 70's, there were many to choose from, but the ones we are singing were the most fun and popular. Mind you, it was difficult to pare down, but the songs that didn't make the cut will be heard on our playlist for the bowling portion of the evening.

Michelle: This show is PURE FUN for us girls. We are all dear friends so it's a treat when we can come together and sing music from our generation. The show has a lot of humor in addition to the great music. The evening is gonna be pretty special.

QUESTION: What is your favorite song in the set you are doing?

Floyd: Anything Donna Summer

Foy: I have two favorites: "Get You Somebody New" by Labelle is a funky disco song and, an oldie but goody, "It's Raining Men!"

Michelle: "MacArthur's Park" is one of my absolute favorite tunes of all times. It pulls at your heart strings with it's simple melody and melancholy lyrics. "Spring was never waiting for us, girl/ It ran one step ahead/ As we followed in the dance/ Between the parted pages and were pressed/ In love's hot, fevered iron/ Like a striped pair of pants/ MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark/ All the sweet green icing flowing down/ Someone left the cake out in the rain/ I don't think that I can take it/ 'Cause it took so long to bake it/ And I'll never have that recipe again"

QUESTION: What has been your favorite part of prepping for this event?

Floyd: Fighting over parts and dancing in the mirror. It shows everything and me being Dance Captain well... always a side eye.

Foy: My favorite part of prepping for the event was when we went to Costume Collection in Astoria to do our final pick and fitting of the costumes. I have never laughed so hard in my life...my Co-Discoettes are hilarious!

Michelle: My favorite park has been shopping for the costumes. The 70's era really was a special time for fashion with its afros, platform shoes and we certainly can't forget the bell bottoms. It was also a very political time where women were standing up and speaking out. People came together and found unity. That being said, we really took our time embracing the 70's time period not only through music but also with fashion. I think the audience is gonna "gag" when we make our entrance. Get ready.

QUESTION: Who or what bonds the group?

Floyd: Laughter and Fierceness

Foy: I think our love for one another, love for the music and celebrating a great cause really bonds us...and the fact that we are three really big hams!

Michelle: Harriett D.Foy is the glue that bonds this group. She is so passionate about the ADRLF. When she asked me to be a part of the show she expressed the importance of the foundation and how much it meant to her on a personal level. I was deeply moved and did not hesitate to come on board. Not only have I learned the music and choreography but I knew I needed to sell tickets and lanes in order to raise money and awareness. That's what it's all about.

Sound good to you? The Disco Bowl Spring Fling Benefit will take place at Frames Bowling Lounge located at 550 Ninth Avenue @ 40th Street (Port Authority) from 4:30pm - 8:00pm. The two hours of bowling will begin at 5pm. Tickets are $100 (tax deductible) and can be purchased by going here, on the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation's website: http://ow.ly/10nlSK