Darius de Haas and Kerry O'Malley Are Part of Benefit Concert of William Finn's Elegies Aug. 16

By Andrew Gans
16 Aug 2010

Darius de Haas
Darius de Haas
Photo by Steve Vaccariello

A concert of William Finn's Elegies: A Song Cycle will be presented Aug. 16 at The LGBT Center in Manhattan.

The 8 PM concert boasts the talents of Darius de Haas (Marie Christine, Rent), Michael Brian Dunn (The Life, Cats, Julie and Julia), Jason Forbach (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables 25th anniversary tour), AnnMarie Milazzo (Bright Lights, Big City) and Kerry O'Malley (White Christmas, Billy Elliot).

Michael Rader directs the evening with music direction by Ed Guttman and stage management from David Beris. The show is presented by The Take Back Pride Campaign; GNW Charitable Trust; The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center; and Jamie McGonnigal.

Elegies: A Song Cycle, according to press notes, is a "tapestry of tributes to partners and friends, long-lost pets, and the victims of 9/11, all the while celebrating the lives of those who have passed on. The songs were composed in memory of Finn's friends, several of whom died of AIDS, and the passing of his mother, Barbara Finn. The final segment of show explores the collapse of the World Trade Center and its emotional aftermath, not only to New Yorkers, but to the country as a whole.

"Though no storyline links the songs, they are united by the underlining idea of loss; in turn funny, tender, witty, and quietly devastating, they form a unified tapestry. Often hilarious, always touching, and very poignant, Elegies takes us on a musical journey that explores the modern world that we live in, our relationships with those we love, and life's infinite joys."

There will be a silent auction to help raise additional funds for the charities presenting the event.

For tickets, priced $20 and $50, call (212) 620-7310 or visit www.gaycenter.org/node/5514. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is located in Manhattan at 208 West 13th Street.