'Rise: A Benefit For The Arthritis Foundation' had it's first performance on March 26th at the Davenport Theatre. The show was directed by Alyssa Williams, choreographed by José-Luis Lopez Jr. (On Your Feet, In The Heights) with Gina DePool as associate choreographer, and music directed by Justin Ramos. With featured performers Danny Bolero (Miss You Like Hell), Todd Buonopane (Cinderella), Tony Chiroldes (In The Heights), Bethany Moore (Pippin), Genny Lis Padilla (On Your Feet!) and Molly Rushing (Anastasia).
Williams Theatricals & Joseph Macchia Events and Production is coming back with a reinvented version of their concert 'Rise Too: Our Story' is taking place on Monday, April 16th at the Davenport Theatre at 7:00pm.
The evening will be hosted by Marti G. Cummings. Marti has appeared in the Off-Broadway-Drama Desk nominated show "Twist," which threw him into the drag comedy scene. His career as a drag artist has taken him all over the world. He has played sold out shows at 54 Below and through his talk show "Stage Fright," he has interviewed hundreds of Broadway stars, sharing the stage at his shows with over 20 Tony Award winners and nominees.
'Rise Too' will feature star studded singers from Broadway and touring companies of On Your Feet!, Pippin!, Fiddler On The Roof, and Beauty and the Beast. Joining them will be singers from the NYC area who are living with Arthritis or have family members living with Arthritis. 'Rise Too' will also feature performers sharing stories about hope, strength, and obstacles they've over come.
Special guests for the evening are Erin Edelle (NETwork's Beauty and the Beast), Stephanie Lynne Mason (Fiddler On The Roof), Bethany Moore (Pippin), and Arianna Rosario (Kennedy Center's In The Heights, On Your Feet!)
Rounding out the company will be Morgan Bartholick, Drew Chadwick, Rob Coglitore (The Illusionists), Lawrence Dandrige, Gina DePool, Caitlin Rae Diekhoff, Emma Foster, Veronica Gonmiah, Lyndsey Hochler, Melissa Katz, Kira Leiva, Kaivan Mayelzadeh, Cinderella Mayo, Danielle Mendoza, Emily Nash, Alex Pallen, Maria Cristina Slye (The Bodyguard), Jolie Rose Wasserman, Ashlie Welte and more.
'Rise Too's producer and director Alyssa Williams has been living with joint issues for the past 10 years, but was officially diagnosed with Polyarticular Osteoarthritis this past year. In May she is leading a team in the Walk to Cure Arthritis in honor of one of her close friends who introduced her to the foundation, and every person who is living with arthritis. This benefit is her first attempt at raising money for her team.Videos