Brooke Shields headlines Broadway in South Africa Fundraiser 10/28

Brooke Shields, the internationally-acclaimed model and film, television and Broadway star, returns to her hometown to headline next week's Broadway in South Africa (BSA) charity event. Shields, a constant supporter of children's causes, will join a host of Broadway and New York City artists in donating their time and talents to support BSA's efforts toward providing children, from South Africa's neediest communities, with necessary life skills through arts education. The event will take place at The Box, located at 189 Chrystie Street. Guests can expect a singular evening of songs, dance and many surprise, vaudeville-style variety acts, typical of late-night shows produced at the lower east side hotspot, which New York Magazine describes as "an intimate take on the Hammerstein Ballroom." The doors open at 8 p.m., and the show will begin at 9 p.m.

BSA's mission is to provide cross-cultural exchange between youth in need and artists who seek to use their talents for positive, global change. Since its inception in 2008, artists of all types, many high-profile, have joined in to support the cause. Kristofer Buckle, world-renown celebrity make-up artist, will be on hand at The Box donating his time to glam up the performers.

Along with Shields, performers will include Sean Bradford (The Scottsboro Boys), Tituss Burgess (Little Mermaid), Emma Hunton (Spring Awakening), Adam Kantor (Next To Normal), recording artist Kelly King, Tracy McDowell (Rent), singer/songwriter Jeremy Schonfeld, Selloane Nkhela (The Lion King), recording artist and The Box weekly host Raven O., Christopher Spaulding (Curtains), recording artist Yasmeen Sulieman, singer/songwriter Katie Thompson and Donna Vivino (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me).

Dancers Allyson Carr (Mamma Mia!), Ven Daniel (Legally Blonde), Adam Hart (Mamma Mia!), Kaitana Magno, Whitney Osentoski (Tarzan) and Constantine Rousouli (Hairspray) will perform an electric contemporary piece choreographed by Isaac Calpito (West Side Story). Choreographer Shea Sullivan will also showcase an original tap piece.

Frankie James Grande (producer, La Bête) is the evening's co-producer and host. Trapper Felides will provide music direction.

Individual tickets are available at the door for $40. To reserve a table, contact frankie@broadwayinsouthafrica.org.

Broadway in South Africa believes that all children deserve to have the opportunity to explore their creative potential, and build life skills necessary to develop productive futures. Through arts education, BSA works to empower its students with self-confidence, self-respect, self- awareness, public speaking skills, the opportunity to create through collaboration with others and the ability to dream.

BSA has worked with over 1,000 children and young adults from a rural area and more than eight townships outside of South Africa's three major cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Many of the workshop participants have been directly affected by HIV/AIDS, violence and/or poverty.

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff