Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Concert Raises Over 1 Million Dollars For Charity

Last night Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a benefit concert celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's legendary double album held at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theater raised over $1,000,000 in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Friends In Deed.  Produced by Jeffrey Seller, directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler with music direction by Tom Kitt, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road featured performances by Elton John, Jane Krakowski, Ben Folds, Joey Arias, the cast of New York Shakespeare Festival's Hair, Melissa Hough, Larry Keigwin, Mary McBride, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Cameron Mitchell, Kelli O'Hara, Sherie Rene Scott, Jake Shears, Stew, The Broadway Inspirational Voices, the cast of Disney's The Lion King, Rufus Wainwright and Patrick Wilson.

ABOUT THE BENEFICIARIES
 
BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization.  By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States.  Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.  BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors' Fund including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC, The Dancers' Resource and two supportive housing residences.  BC/EFA also awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.

Elton John AIDS FOUNDATION - Established by Sir Elton John in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS.  Since its founding, EJAF has raised over $150 million to support urgently needed programs across the US and in 55 countries around the globe.  EJAF's current grant-making priorities target HIV prevention programs in the Southern United States and the Caribbean; HIV prevention and care services for highly marginalized and vulnerable populations; and HIV/AIDS prevention education and the promotion of sexual health for adolescents.

 Friends In Deed - Friends In Deed is the crisis center for people coping with HIV and other life-threatening illnesses. Have you been diagnosed with HIV, cancer or another life threatening illness? Are you a caregiver, family member or friend of someone who is ill? Are you living with grief because of the death of someone you loved? At times like these, it's easy to feel frightened, powerless, overwhelmed and alone. That's why Friends In Deed is here. We're a crisis center where you can find the emotional and spiritual support to cope with these challenging life circumstances.  Founded in 1991 by Cynthia O'Neal and Mike Nichols, Friends In Deed has presented many extraordinary events over its life, including An Evening with Simon and Garfunkel and Nicholas and May (1992) and Whoopi at Carnegie Hall (1996).

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.