SONDHEIM IN SEPTEMBER Raises $10,000.00 For The Actors Fund Of Canada

The Actors' Fund of Canada announced today that Sondheim in September, a concert series featuring stars of Canadian musical theatre that took place in September and October, raised a total of $10,000 for the Fund. Spearheaded by producer and performer Warren Kimmel, the three-week series had a cast of over 50, including Dora Award winners Elicia MacKenzie (Maria in The Sound of Music), Jeff Madden (Franki Valli in Jersey Boys) and Charlotte Moore, all of whom volunteered their time to participate in the event. The final evening also featured a live auction of paintings generously donated by Andrew Stelmack and Patty Zentilli, talented visual artists who also perform in musical theatre.

Commenting on the fundraiser, Warren Kimmel said, "A life in theatre is not an easy one, we don't have the security and benefits that others take for granted. Despite this, we choose this path because we see something of value in it. As artists we need to support each other and use our talents to help our colleagues who face challenges beyond their control. We all recognize our vulnerability and know that the circumstances that make the Actors' Fund so necessary could happen to any of us at any time. By coming together to support this organization we can all feel a bit more secure."

"This has been a truly remarkable fundraiser" remarked Actors' Fund Executive Director David Hope. "That so many people have donated their time, energy and considerable talent to make this event such a success is very humbling. It goes to show the amount of compassion this community has and the level of support the Fund has within the community."

The Actors' Fund of Canada is the lifeline for Canada's entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film and television, theatre, music and dance can apply for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which recently set a new record for the amount of financial aid delivered to industry members in a single year, topping $600,000 in 2008. The Fund has helped over 10,000 entertainment industry workers recover from illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship since it was founded in 1958.

The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out over $3.7 million in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses in the last 10 years. Performers, creators, technical staff and other production team members can benefit from the Fund, which receives no major government funding and is sustained by support from individuals and entertainment industry organizations.

View a slideshow of concert photos at www.actorsfund.ca/sondheim.php

 

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