The concert, which began at 7:30 PM, showcased Broadway performers singing the roles they played as teens. Attendees heard songs performed by such Broadway characters as Sarah Brown from Guys and Dolls, Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors and Rizzo from Grease as well as roles age-inappropriate for teens, like Carlotta from Follies.
Performers included Sierra Boggess, Mario Cantone, Jerry Dixon, Tony winner Christine Ebersole, Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart, Tony winner LaChanze, Jose Llana, Jessie Mueller, Julia Murney, Emily Skinner and Keala Settle.
In an earlier statement Rudetsky said, “When I was growing up, I was able to take chorus, chorale, special chorus, band, orchestra and theater. All part of the regular school day! Now public schools have cut most of the arts and they are only available after school with an incredibly limited budget. I wound up volunteering as the chorus teacher in my kid’s middle school because they didn’t have one. I want kids growing up today to have the same opportunities my generation had, or we’ll miss out on the next generation of artistic titans. Kids won’t know if they have talent as a musician, actor, artist etc. if they don’t have the chance to try it.”
