New York Cabaret Community Announces 2nd 'Crush the Cancer Beast' Fundraising Show In Support of Singer/Actor ERIN CRONICAN at Don't Tell Mama, 3/5

Cabaret performers and musicians and fans of the art form tend to refer to the people in this tight-knit niche as "the Cabaret Community." Well, that community is really coming together for one of its own with a 2nd benefit concert to raise funds for the extremely popular actor, director, and cabaret performer Erin Cronican (right), one of a very rare group of women in her 30s who is staging a fierce battle with breast cancer. The star-studded show, billed as Cabaret Beats Cancer and was staged on February 27 in front of a standing room only crowd at Don't Tell Mama. So another call to arms to "Crush The Beast" has been scheduled for the venue (343 West 46th Street, 212-757-0788) on March 5 at 5 pm.

Hosted by cabaret performer, songwriter, and businessman Rob Davis (who is also extremely involved in charitable causes), the "Benefit for Erin Cronican" will include a variety of New York cabaret performers, many of whom are close friends of Erin. The first show featured Sarah Rice, Marissa Mulder, Adam Shapiro, Tanya Moberly, Janice Hall, Richie Eisenberg, Mary Lahti, Candice Oden, Walter Willison, and Zach Wobensmith, with a special performance from Erin herself. Musicians include Music Directors/Pianists Barry Levitt, Matthew Martin Ward, Bill Zeffiro, and Jim Lahti.

"When Rob Davis reached out to me about putting together this event, I was truly speechless," Erin admits. "I am just so stunned and honored by the generosity of the cabaret community, and am blown away that people have been so willing to help. Having cancer at such a young age, with no family history or risk factors, has been a scary and surreal experience, and it means so much to have the love of my family and friends as I tackle this diagnosis and treatment."

The show cover charge is $20 ($15 for MAC members) and two-drink minimum (cash only and additional donations encouraged). Reservations can be made at two locations on the web: At www.donttellmamanyc.com click on "Shows" and find March 5. Then click on Cabaret Beats Cancer. At www.crowdrise.com/CabaretBeatsCancer, click on the "Join" button and then click on "Get Tickets." Crowdrise.com is also the vehicle through which "The Committee for the Preservation of Erin Cronican" is asking for donations to reach a fundraising goal which is now at $4,000 (after starting at $1,000) to help cover Erin's expenses while she is undergoing treatments.

Erin Cronican is a professional actor and career coach with her company The Actors' Enterprise, and is the Managing Director of The Seeing Place Theater, an actor-driven ensemble in NYC. Her passion is telling raw stories that raise the social consciousness of audiences. She has recorded albums with Christine Ebersole and Howard McGillin, appeared on screen with Paul Giamatti and Kristen Bell, and shared the stage with Broadway greats Walter Willison and Robert Cuccioli, to name a few. On her personal blog, www.ErinCronicals.com, Erin explores living and performing in NYC, while also taking a humorous approach to living with cancer. On her medical blog, http://posthope.org/erincronican/journal, she provides periodic medical updates.

For more information, contact Stephen Hanks, Cabaret Life Productions, stephenhanks41@gmail.com or Rob Davis at rdavis134@gmail.com

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