FELA's Kevin Mambo Joins Roster Of Performers For TOMMY Awards Show in NYC

Emmy-winning actor, Kevin Mambo, who stars in the title role in the Broadway production of the of Tony winning musical "Fela!" has joined the roster of artists scheduled to perform at the Second Annual Tommy Awards taking place Monday, June 28 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU. Produced by the USC Alumni Club of New York with the support of the USC Alumni Association and other university partners, the Tommy Awards- named for Tommy Trojan, the University of Southern California's collegiate symbol - honors extraordinary contributions made by USC alumni to New York's business, cultural, sports and philanthropic communities.

Mambo, who shares the demanding starring role of legendary African composer, performer and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with Sahr Ngaujah in the Broadway production, was last seen in the Pulitzer Prize winning play, "Ruined." A USC School of Theatre alum, the two-time Daytime Emmy winner ("Guiding Light") also appeared in the American musical biopic, "Cadillac Records," with Adrian Brody and Beyonce. Mambo and his band "Blaz and the 88 Sound" will perform at the evening's awards show.

This year's program will feature musical material written by alumni who are award-winning lyricists and composers, including Tony nominee and honoree, composer Frank Wildhorn, Tony winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade), Tony nominee Laurence O'Keefe (Legally Blonde: The Musical), award-winning composer/orchestrator Damon Intrabartolo (collaboration for 13 years with film composer John Ottoman--The Usual Suspects, Superman Returns; bare: A Pop Opera; LA Drama Critics Circle Award), Kirsten Guenther (Mrs. Sharp; Richard Rogers award winner), Jon Hartmere (bare: A Pop Opera; LA Drama Critics Circle Award) and Jeff Thomson (Trails, Pump Up the Volume, Jawbreaker, Larson award winner).

As previously announced, other alumni participants include American Idol season 9's Donald Webber, Jr., ESPN Anchor Reischea Canidate, recording artists Karmina and performers Sarah Benjamin, Julie Boardman, Danielle Faitelson, Briga Heelan, Laurie Hymes, Lara Janine.
This year's honorees include bestselling financial author David Bach (The Automatic Millionaire), The Blackstone Group Senior Managing Director Timothy Coleman, urban designer and architect Jonie Fu, painter/art critic Peter Plagens and Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Jekyll & Hyde, The Civil War). Conceived by Michael Schwartz and Kate Russo, the program's director/creative producer is Michael Schwartz. The program is produced by Kate Russo and Amir Akhavan

All proceeds from the evening benefit the USC Alumni Club of New York's scholarship fund, enabling the club to award more than $30,000 in annual scholarships to current and incoming students. A VIP reception will be held in the Rosenthal Pavilion at NYU's Kimmel Center following the performance. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://alumni.usc.edu/tommyawards.

The USC Alumni Club of New York:
The USC Alumni Club of New York keeps members of the Trojan Family connected to USC. The club offers entertaining and enriching programming, including career networking forums, faculty receptions, cultural outings, Trojan Parent events, recreational sports, game-watching parties and social events. As a nonprofit organization, the club's underlying mission is to provide scholarships to students from the tri-state area. The USC Alumni Club of New York is an affiliate of the USC Alumni Association. Please visit http://nytrojans.com.

The USC Alumni Association:
Founded in 1923, the University of Southern California Alumni Association honors through its many events and programs the university's rich history and the intellectual, cultural and economic contributions of the Trojan Family. A full-time staff headed by the alumni association CEO helps 300,000+ USC alumni worldwide build and maintain lifelong connections to their alma mater and one another. For more information, call (213) 740-2300 or visit http://alumni.usc.edu.
The Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU:

The Skirball Center is the premier venue for the presentation of cultural and performing arts events for NYU and lower Manhattan. The programs of the Skirball Center reflect NYU's mission as an international center of scholarship, defined by excellence and innovation and shaped by an intellectually rich and diverse environment. Since 2003, the 860-seat Center has provided a unique venue for enhancing a sense of community while continuing the Greenwich Village traditions of creativity and artistic discovery with a broad range of compelling performance events at affordable ticket prices. Led by Executive Producer Jay Oliva (President Emeritus, NYU) and Director Michael Harrington, a natural and vital aspect of the Center's mission is to build young adult audiences for the future of live performance. www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter-Keddy