Jeremy Jordan, Marc Kudisch and More to Sing Songs from SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS This Spring

Broadway favorites, including three-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch as JJ Hunsecker (Hand to God) and Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan as Sidney Falcone (Newsies), will perform staged concert selections from the musical Sweet Smell of Success on May 4 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Titled A Spring Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch, the event will be at the Hudson Theatre (at the Millennium Broadway Hotel) in New York City.

In addition to Kudisch and Jordan, the concert will feature Adam Jacobs as Dallas (Aladdin), Lindsay Mendez as Rita (Wicked), Marissa McGowan as Susan (A Little Night Music), Bernard Dotson (Sweet Smell of Success), Steven Brindberg, Peter Dugan and Charles Yang. Ensemble members are Craig Blake, Dionne Figgins, Matt Gibson, Justin Henry, Reed Kelly, Amanda Kloots, Ryan Steer, Mindy Wallace, Chryssie Whitehead, Ryan Worsing and Sam Zack. The evening is complete with an orchestra.

John Simpkins directs, with music direction by J. Ernest Green and choreography by Emmy Winner Tyce Diorio. Chris Dallos provides lighting, Bob Rendon sound, and Tony winner Peter Lawrence is Stage Manager. James Cunningham is Associate Music Director.

Sweet Smell of Success features book by Tony Award winner John Guare, music by Tony, Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize winner Marvin Hamlisch, and lyrics by three time Tony Award nominee Craig Carnelia. The show originally opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway in March 2002. It was nominated for 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Musical Score, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Brian d'Arcy James in his role as Sidney Falcone. John Lithgow won a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of JJ Hunsecker.

Based on the novel by Ernest Lehman and the MGM/United Artists motion picture, Sweet Smell of Success tells the story of powerful gossip columnist JJ Hunsecker and struggling press agent Sidney Falcone. With sixty million readers across America, JJ's power extends beyond the pages of the newspaper, and he has the goods on everyone from the President to the latest starlet. When his younger sister Susan falls in love with an unknown piano player named Dallas, JJ offers Sidney a shot at the big time to help break up the couple. But is the price of JJ's approval one that Sidney is willing to pay?

The gala will also feature the presentation of the Marvin Hamlisch Memorial Award for Humanitarian Efforts to philanthropist Lily Safra for her "ongoing global charitable endeavors, notably in science and in medicine."

The evening will begin at 6 PM with cocktails followed by the dinner and awards presentation at 6:45 PM; the performance will commence at 8 PM. Proceeds will benefit the cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services supported by the American Cancer Society.

Show tickets begin at $75; tickets to the dinner, awards and the show begin at $1,000 and sponsorship packages begin at $15,000. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, contact Monica Kennedy at monica.kennedy@cancer.org or call (212) 237-3902.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

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