The Who's TOMMY Benefit Concert Raises $30,000 For BC/EFA

The recent event The Who's TOMMY: 15th Anniversary Benefit Concert presented by The Path Fund / Rockers on Broadway raised $30,000, to directly benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Dreams Foundation and the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation among other charities. Directed by Donnie Kehr, the one-night-only milestone event featured the original cast of the groundbreaking Broadway musical. The concert took place Monday, December 15, 2008 at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).

The Who's TOMMY: 15th Anniversary Benefit Concert reunited the original Broadway cast live onstage: Michael Arnold, Anthony Barrile, Bill Buell, Maria Calabrese, Michael Cerveris, Paul Dobie, Jonathan Dokuchitz, Tom Flynn, Cheryl Freeman, Romaine Fruge, Angela Garrison, Jody Gelb, Christian Hoff, Todd Hunter, Paul Kandel, Donnie Kehr, Pam Klinger, Tracey Langran Corea, Lisa Leguillou, Norm Lewis, Marcia Mitzman Gaven, Lee Morgan, Alice Ripley, Sherie Rene Scott, Timothy Warmen, with national tour alum Destan Owens appearing for original cast member Michael McElroy. This one-time event also featured David Bologna (B'way: Billy Elliot: The Musical) in the role of "Little Tommy." The concert was helmed by Donnie Kehr, with original show projections by Wendall Harrington, original production photos by Peter Cunningham and original musical direction and vocal arrangement by Joe church, who also served as the evening's musical director.
Rockers On Broadway was founded in 1993 by Donnie Kehr during the Broadway run of The Who's TOMMY, in which he was appearing at the time. Inspired by his collaboration with Pete Townshend, Kehr created Rockers on Broadway, offering musical theater performers an opportunity to sing with a rock band in a concert environment. Kehr remarks, "It is our mission to bring together the worlds of rock 'n roll and Broadway in a unique way, while supporting inspirational charities."

The PATH Fund, Inc. (Performing Artists That Help) was formed as a result of the success of Rockers on Broadway and aims to give artists of all kinds an avenue to share their unique talents while helping raise money for charities that benefit the arts and entertainment communities that inspire their livelihood.
The Who's TOMMY: 15th Anniversary Benefit Concert was sponsored by Jeff Davis, The Dodgers, The Frye Company. Joseph J. Grano Jr., Kevin & Tamara Kinsella, Miller Coors, SONY/BMG Masterworks, Rothmann's Steakhouse and presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized material are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 / (212) 541-4684 / Fax: (212) 397-4684 / www.MTIShow.com.

Proceeds support Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Dreams Foundation and the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation. Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS gives assistance nationwide to persons living with HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer: www.broadwaycares.org. The Broadway Dreams Foundation's mission is to brighten the future of young talent. Through their programs, they bring young performers closer to their Broadway dreams, regardless of financial status. BDF believes that dramatic arts, fun and education must work hand-in-hand to cultivate young minds. The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation was established in 1995 to find better treatments and cures for the movement disorders dystonia and Parkinson's disease and to provide medical and patient information.