John W Engeman Theater Presents BC/EFA W/ Large Contribution

Last holiday season, due to the 2007 Broadway stagehands' strike, fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and sales of its annual holiday CD, Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, were gravely impacted. With most theaters dark, the main source of sales of the CD was cut off. Stephen DeAngelis, NYC casting director and Artistic Director from the Engeman Theater, contacted Lynn Pinto, Executive Producer of Carols for a Cure, to see if they could sell the CDs to help make up for strike losses. The Engeman Theater sold hundreds of the CDs. In gratitude, Ms. Pinto invited performers from the Engeman Theater to record a track of their own for the 2008 CD.

The performers were so excited to be a part of the CD and the fund-raising effort during the 2008 holiday season, they almost doubled their efforts from last year. The Engeman Theater cast members of two productions, Little Shop of Horrors and Oliver!, continued to sell CDs through Sunday, January 4th, and presented BC/EFA with a generous check for $24,676!

The Carols for a Cure series of recordings has raised over $2.5 million for BC/EFA since its inception in 1999, providing support and care for those suffering with AIDS, as well as lending support to women's health issues. The two-disc special 10th Anniversary Edition of Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Volume 10 offers 36 original and traditional holiday songs. In addition to 26 new recordings by stars and casts from virtually every show on Broadway, including the premiere of an original song by Elton John and Lee Hall, there also are highlights from Vols. 1-9, with the voices of Antonio Banderas, Harvey Fierstein, Idina Menzel, Bernadette Peters, and Andréa Burns, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michael Longoria, Nick Jonas and American Idol's Constantine Maroulis and Ace Young. Andros Rodriguez served as the audio engineer for the entire CD.

Engeman Theater's Little Shop of Horrors cast members Melinda Wakefield Alberty, Bob Arnold, Anna Bowen, Krystal Joy Brown, Missy Dowse, Jade Hicks, Josh Lamon, Maxx, Gina Milo, Bill Remington, Craig Sculli and Christian Whelan recorded their version of "This Little Light of Mine" at Quad Studios in Manhattan. "This Little Light of Mine" was arranged and music directed by Adam Waite. Stephen DeAngelis, who directed and choreographed Little Shop of Horrors, acted as the cast coordinator for the recording.

Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Volume 10 can be ordered for only $20 through BC/EFA at broadwaycares.org or by calling (212) 840-0770 x250 Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST. The CDs are sold during a six-week "Gypsy-of-the-Year" fundraising period from mid-October through mid-December at participating Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New York, and also are available at select venues throughout the U.S., including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; The LA Phil Store in Disney Hall; Reprise Theater Company at Brentwood Theatre; and The Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities in Colorado.

The John W. Engeman Theater is Long Island's only year round professional theater company, utilizing actors from the Broadway union - Actors' Equity Association. Shows are performed year round in the heart of Northport village amidst a scene of elegant restaurants and beautiful boutiques. The newly renovated Theater offers stadium-style seating, a full orchestra pit, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and a classic wood-paneled piano lounge with full bar. For more information contact the theater directly at 631-261-2900, visit the box office at 250 Main Street, Northport or visit www.EngemanTheater.com.

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