'SCENES AND SONGS FROM FANNIE LOU' Tributes Rich Abrams and Cheri Hunter at Carnegie Hall Tonight

When it came to talent and dedication, nobody had as much as Rich Abrams and Cheri Hunter, two supporters of the new, original musical Fannie Lou who helped shape the work during its developing stages, according to composer/lyricist Felicia Hunter.

Sadly, neither will be part of the upcoming "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou: At Carnegie Hall" -- at least not physically. Cheri and Rich each passed away recently. But both will be at the performance in spirit, insisted Felicia. She'll pay special tribute to the pair during the event, which will take place tonight, Oct. 9 at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

"The void left by Rich and Cheri will never be filled," said Felicia, Cheri's sister. "They both brought their own special skills, expertise and perspectives to the project, and both were generous and giving of their time and talent.

"Rich, who served as production manager for our Stamford reading and our world premiere in New York City, was so full of technical knowledge," said Felicia. "With his professional training and background, he could easily have been arrogant and pompous. But he wasn't. He was just the opposite. He was always willing to share. And he really liked Fannie Lou as a work of art. He told me that after reading the script he knew he just had to work on the project."

Rich was the operations manager at the Yale School of Drama, and also provided stage and production management for performances in the New York and Connecticut areas. He worked in live theater for over 40 years, including opera, rock concerts, dance recitals and plays. Rich is an active member of AGMA and the Stage Managers Association. He passed away from heart-related illness in December 2012.

While Rich joined the Fannie Lou family for a Stamford reading prior to the 2012 world premiere, Cheri had been with the work since its inception.

"Cheri was the person I could always count on to bounce ideas off of, to run a thought by, to listen as I sang a new lyric or read a new section of dialogue," Felicia said. "She also was always ready and able to do whatever was necessary for the production. She had a beautiful voice; she sang like an angel. I can't begin to express how much her passing has devastated me. There are no words."

A graduate of Goucher College and Howard University School of Law, Cheri worked in the law firms and offices that included Sidley Austin, St. Elizabeth's Hospital and the Baltimore law office of William Murphy Jr. A lover of music, she began studying viola at age 9 and participated in several orchestral and choral ensembles, including touring Europe with America's Youth in Concert. Her outstanding singing voice is featured on the soundtrack of the film "And Then Came Love" starring Vanessa Williams, Eartha Kitt and Ben Vereen. When Cheri became ill, she was preparing to perform in a special-event performance of "Scenes and Songs fromFannie Lou" at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre. Sadly, Cheri passed away on Feb. 20, 2014 -- four days before the Broadway performance was to take place.

"The fact that we are continuing on with the event, and at the renowned Carnegie Hall, is a way of honoring Cheri -- and Rich -- as well as Fannie Lou Hamer," said Felicia. "I know Cheri would have it no other way."

"She'd also like the fact that some of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College," Felicia added. "She was in that field herself, and she was dedicated to helping people. I want to do her proud with this production. And I will."

To purchase a ticket or for more information, visit http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2014/10/9/0730/PM/Scenes-and-Songs-from-Fannie-Lou/ or www.fannieloumusical.com, or call CarnegieCharge (212) 247-7800, or visit the Box Office at 57th and Seventh.