The May 18 benefit concert – which marks the first public presentation of the Broadway-themed musical – boasts a cast of Broadway favorites under the direction of Tony nominee and Broadway veteran Graciela Daniele.
White, a 1997 Tony Award winner for The Life, has joined a company of performers that includes Donna Murphy (Lovemusik), Lila Coogan (Mary Poppins), Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line), Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island), Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens), Tommy Tune (My One and Only), Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia!), Richard Kind (The Producers), Sandy Duncan (Chicago), Gregg Edelman (Wonderful Town), Christian Borle (Legally Blonde), Adam Heller (Caroline, Or Change), Robert Klein (The Sisters Rosensweig), David Garrison (Wicked), Kathie Lee Gifford (Annie, Putting it Together), and New York Post theatre columnist Michael Riedel.
The one-act musical, based on the children's book by late Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wasserstein, features a score by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Coleman with lyrics by Tony winner Zippel.
Pamela's First Musical was one of several projects Mr. Coleman was working on at the time of his sudden death in fall 2004. Nearly completed at the time of his passing, the production was further delayed following the death of Ms. Wasserstein in 2006. Zippel and Daniele continued to work on the musical through various workshops.
Pamela's First Musical "tells the story of a young girl from the suburbs who spends an unforgettable birthday with her eccentric, sophisticated Aunt Louise (Murphy) attending a lavish Broadway production and meeting all the glamorous, creative people who made it possible," press notes state. Eager theatergoers have the opportunity to listen to a song from the score – "It Started With a Dream" performed by Cy Coleman and Lillias White – by visiting www.broadwaycares.org.
The 3 PM concert will be followed by a reception at Sardi's, which figures into a scene from Pamela's First Musical. Proceeds benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Theatre Development Fund's Open Doors Program, which Wasserstein founded.
Tickets and packages, ranging $60-$1000, are available by phoning (212) 840-0770, ext. 268 or by visiting www.BroadwayCares.org.
