The one-night-only event will raise funds for both the Actors' Fund of America and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Among the Broadway stars who will be lending their talents to the evening are Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell and two-time Tony nominee Patrick Wilson. The country portion of the evening will be led by Trace Adkins, Raul Malo, Lee Ann Womack and Trisha Yearwood.
In a statement Jed Bernstein, president of the League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., said, "It is truly history in the making that the country music world is coming to New York, and joining with Broadway for such a wonderful, unusual and entertaining event. This special concert, performed by some of the superstars from both worlds, will not only highlight the similarities and universality of these two seemingly different genres, but also help expand the audience for each style of music."
CMA executive director Ed Benson added, "In fact, the two genres aren't as different as you may think. Storytelling is at the heart of what we do. We both strive to capture and reflect the full range of human emotion, whether it is on a stage or in a song." Among the country music stars who have appeared on Broadway are Reba McEntire (Annie Get Your Gun), Pam Tillis (Smokey Joe's Cafe), Mac Davis and Larry Gatlin (The Will Rogers Follies) and Garry Morris (Les Misérables).
The Allen Room is located within the Frederick P. Rose Hall at the Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center on Broadway at 60th Street.
Ticket information will be announced shortly. *
The event will be held during the annual Country Music Association Awards Celebration. "The 39th Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live on CBS Nov. 15 from Madison Square Garden; this marks the first time the event will be held outside of Nashville.