Eva Cassidy Remembered January 31

There are those moments that occur on a Broadway stage that will forever last in our memories and tug at our heartstrings. There are standards that all Broadway fans can fondly look back on to remind us of why we love it. However, now the roles are changing as we learn of a new story that taps into our emotions even more so than our scripted favorites. Various Broadway stars are teaming up to celebrate the real-life, tragic phenomenon of Eva Cassidy with "Song Bird, A Tribute to Eva Cassidy" benefiting the Johns Hopkins Melanoma Cancer Research Program Monday night, January 31^st at Prohibition starting at 8 PM.

Cassidy's life story offers a tale that begins as familiar as any other independent musician. Although she at first seemed shy and quiet, Cassidy had the gift of a voice that was quite the contrary and demanded attention – if you were around to hear it. Like most musicians just starting out, Cassidy played to sparsely filled coffee houses and other venues of the sort. Her undeniably beautiful voice covered a variety of genres, but never fell into the mainstream ear. She also never played original music but instead covered standards form every genre available. Sources close to Cassidy referred to her as an "interpreter" rather than a writer, having the ability to sing a classic song in a beautiful way never heard before. Classics like "Over the Rainbow" and Sting's "Fields of Gold" presented new meaning with Cassidy's voice behind the words and music. 

However, this bright but unknown star never received the chance to fully shine. Abruptly, melanoma cancer took Cassidy's life in 1996 at the mere age of 33. However, in a fairly tale and "Broadway-like" way, her story didn't end there. Her music was posthumously championed by a BBC disc jockey and miraculously, the anthology Songbird become a number one smash hit in England. Earlier work was soon released there after displaying the vast talent that too few people knew.

Now her story travels into New York City to offer the chance for more people to learn about her remarkable talent, perseverance and character. Broadway stars Cheyenne Jackson (All Shook Up), Lori Ann Strunk (Aida), Natalie Joy Johnson (Bare), Lisa Brescia (Aida), Ryan Link (Rent), Kirsten Rossi (Beauty & The Beast), Andy Karl (Alter Boyz), Orfeh (Saturday Night Fever), Brandon Wardell (Good Vibrations), Julie Garnye (Hair), Erin Leigh Peck (Dance of The Vampires), Eden Espinosa (Brooklyn), Jenna Leigh Green (Bare), Jose Llana (Flower Drum Song) and others will join together to perform Eva's songs while raising money and awareness against the disease that took her life. Songbird represents the chance to hear good music by some of your favorites while paying tribute to a talent taken away from the world far too soon.

Song Bird will play Monday January 31st at Prohibition, located at 503 Columbus Ave. All tickets are $20.00 and are available at the door the day of the show. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Johns Hopkins Melanoma Cancer Research Program. For more information email gordinproductions@yahoo.com