Kelli Barrett, Jarrod Spector & More Will Join Michelle Collins for IMAGINE Benefit Concert

IMAGINE: A Celebration of Love, a benefit concert to raise funds to benefit Cancer Research through the Brian Werbel Memorial Fund at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, will take place on Monday, June 13th at 8:00 pm City Winery (155 Varick St.). All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Brian Werbel Memorial Fund. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.uhgiving.org/uh-giving/get-involved/events/imagine.

The concert will be hosted by Michelle Collins (The View) and feature performances by members of the Broadway theatre community. Scheduled to perform are: Adinah Alexander (Kinky Boots, Wicked), Kelli Barrett (Dr Zhivago, Baby it's you), Joseph Leo Bwarie (Jersey Boys), Matt DeAngelis (Hair), Jennifer Dinoia (Wicked), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Lisa Howard (It shoulda Been You, Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Aisha Jackson (Waitress, Beautiful), Tamika Lawrence (Beautiful, If/Then), Ben Liebert (Wicked), Corey Mach (Hands on a Hardbody, Godspell), Desi Oakley (Wicked, Annie), Danny Quadrino (Newsies, Bye Bye Birdie), Jarrod Spector (Beautiful, Jersey Boys), Ryan Vasquez (Waitress, Wicked) and Betsy Werbel (Wicked). The evening will be directed by Joe Ricci with musical direction by Sinai Tabak.

The Brian Werbel Memorial Fund was established to honor the memory of Brian, who passed away on May 7, 2007 at the age of 29. The mission of the fund is to advance clinical research on cancer-related initiatives, an area in which Brian was deeply involved.

"After losing my brother in 2007, I realized that life is too short and you have to make every day truly count," says Betsy Werbel. "I get to live my dream every night on Broadway. My brother had a dream to find a cure for cancer. Please join us for this celebration of Hope and help me make my brother's dream a reality."

UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University, one of only 40 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). UH Seidman Cancer Center, which opened a 150-bed freestanding cancer hospital last year, is dedicated to innovative treatments and promising research through more than 300 ongoing studies aimed at cancer treatment and prevention.

"The support of The Brian Werbel Memorial helps our nationally recognized cancer center in its mission to translate scientific discovery rapidly to patient care," said Stan Gerson, MD, Director of the UH Seidman Cancer Center. "As a result, our patients and their families have access to the nation's most advanced technology, vast experience and promising treatments."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos