Flaherty, Sheik, Etc. Get 'Together' for CAP 21 Benefit

Musical theater students and alumni from NYU's Cap 21 will join James Lecesne, Randy Redd, Alex De Castro (from Broadway's The Lion King) and special guests composer Stephen Flaherty, singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik and cast members from the new Broadway musical Spring Awakening, to present "Coming Together," an evening of song to benefit After the Storm at the Renee Weiler Concert Hall at Greenwich House Music School (46 Barrow Street) on Monday, December 11th at 8PM.

"After the Storm is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping youth, young adults and local youth organizations that have been affected by environmental and economic disaster in America. Starting in New Orleans and expanding nationwide, After the Storm is a grass-roots campaign, promoting musical theater events to raise and distribute money, increase awareness and revitalize the spirit of existing relief organizations," press materials state.

After the Storm's first project will begin in January 2007, when its creators arrive in New Orleans to cast and rehearse a production of Lynn Ahrens' and Stephen Flaherty's award-winning musical Once On This Island with local youth, local musicians, local artists and a large community choir directed and choreographed by Gerry McIntyre with musical direction by Randy Redd. Working with the St. Mark's Community Center, After the Storm will offer a series of free performances and a gala benefit evening to raise necessary funding for the community. This project will be documented by award-winning filmmaker Hilla Medalia and then used as a springboard for a nationwide program, encouraging high school drama clubs and community theaters to raise funds to support New Orleans youth.

"Inspired by the efforts of After The Storm, NYU students were the first to come forward to create an event to raise necessary funds. 'Come Together' is the first in what we hope will be a nationwide effort to revitalize local community groups through the use of theater and film." Performers include: Adrienne Couvillion, Nick Austin, Rachel Clark, Randy Blair, Renee R Albulario, Robin Lee Gallo, Ryan Murray, Sari Poll, Andrew H Cristi, Ann Hu, Ato Blankson-Wood, Brandon Michael Arrington, Caitlin Kelly, Cara Winter, Carey McCray, Cristin Boyle, Dane Agostinis, Danny Schmittler, Elisa Winter, James LaRosa, Jennifer L. Margulis, Jess Brandeis, Kiera Mickiewicz, Kristen Gehling, Laura London, Maranda Barskey, Spencer Howard and Tripp Pettigrew.

Greenwich House is conveniently located one block west of the intersection of Bleecker Street and Seventh Avenue South on Barrow Street. It can be reached by the subway lines A, B, C, D, E, F, Q and 1 lines. Bus service is available on the M10 and M11 lines.

General admission is $45, and a limited number of VIP seats will be available for $100. Student tickets are available for $15. To place reservations, please call 212-255-3684.

For more information, please visit www.afterthestormfoundation.org.  Visit www.cap21.org for more on CAP 21.