David Alpert (The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide, Guys and Dolls, White Noise) conceived and directs the Oct. 17 evening billed as First Name Basis, in which each singer will perform a song with a first name in the title. Show time is 7 PM.
Von Essen (Xanadu), Ritchie (Wonderland), D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q) and Case (Hair), are among the newly announced talent that also includes Steve Rosen (Guys and Dolls), Amos Wolff (Follies), Celina Carvajal (Toxic Avenger, Dracula), Jessica Rush (Guys and Dolls), Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde), Jason Michael Snow (The Book of Mormon), Jim Walton (Merrily We Roll Along) and YouTube personality Randy Rainbow.
Previously announced to appear are Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid, Guys and Dolls), Janet Dacal (Wonderland, In the Heights), Aaron Lazar (A Little Night Music, The Light in the Piazza), Morgan James (Addams Family, Godspell) and Tony winner Stephen Spinella (Angels in America, Spring Awakening). The ensemble will include Jeffrey Paul Baker, Brynn Curry, Jana DeBusk, Justin Goodemoot, Killian Patton and Cassandra Sandberg.
Chris Blisset (Outlaws at NYMF) will host the evening. Nate Patten will serve as musical director. Alpert, Justin Huebener and Maria Macioce present the benefit concert.
Living for Today was created in honor of the late Gilana Shira Alpert by her brother, David Alpert. The Gilana Shira Alpert Fund was established in 2007 following the loss of Alpert at the age of 26. The fund, which has raised over $20,000, supports organizations Gilana was passionate about, including equality advocacy, sex education, theatre studies and Holocaust awareness. Joe's Pub, the Public Theater's nightlife venue, will reopen Oct. 4 with a concert by Passing Strange collaborators Stew and Heidi Rodewald. The venue went on hiatus in early July to get a plush makeover.
Tickets are priced $20 and $50 (VIP with premium seating, post-show reception and gift bag). There is a $12 food and drink minimum, reservations are encouraged. Visit JoesPub. Joe's Pub is located within the Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street.
