The 3 PM event at Judson Memorial Church, which offers a sneak peek at the new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, is a benefit for the Semillas De Amor, a children's home in Antigua, Guatemala. Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia Nixon, Donna Murphy, Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Flinn are behind the cause. Cinderella cast member Ann Harada will also perform.
Kids are welcome at the special event that includes the performance, holiday treats and refreshments.
Impossible Things Are Happening Every Day is personal for Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane, the book writer of Cinderella, and his partner, songwriter Lewis Flinn (Lysistrata Jones). The couple adopted their children from Semillas De Amor. New restrictions on international adoption that went into effect in 2008 have left 24 children still at the home.
According to Beane, "With no hope for adoption, they will grow up at Semillas until adulthood. Existing solely on private donations, the founder and board have done amazing things to provide for these kids and raise them as a family. They built a first rate facility and school, and in addition to providing the basics of food, clothes, toys, books, beds, they have given love to these kids (now ages 5-13)."
The goal is to raise $20,000 to help keep Semillas De Amor open. If the home is forced to shut down due to lack of funding, the children who reside there will be sent to government-run orphanages.
While the event is sold-out, donations are welcome. Visit crowdrise.com/nycforsemillas. The Judson Memorial Church is located at 239 Thompson Street.