Stephen Bogardus, Cheryl Freeman, Mary Testa and More Share An Evening of Firsts at Stage 72

By Adam Hetrick
29 Apr 2013

Stephen Bogardus
Stephen Bogardus

Stephen Bogardus, Cheryl Freeman, Matt DeAngelis, John Michael Dias and Mary Testa are part of An Evening of Firsts: Broadway's Finest Spill About Their First Time April 29 at Stage 72.

Presented as a benefit for the Believe NYC Scholarship Fund and PanCAN - The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the 7 PM concert promises "songs and stories of the first inspirations that led these performers to pursue careers on Broadway."

Jacque Carnahan (Pride and Prejudice) who founded Believe NYC, hosts the event. Joey Murray directs the concert that has musical direction by Alvin Hough, Jr. and composer Barbara Anselmi.

In addition to Bogardus (Man of La Mancha), Freeman (Tommy), DeAngelis (Hair), Dias (Jersey Boys) and Testa (42nd Street, Queen of the Mist), the evening features Stephen DeRosa (The Nance, Hairspray), Carey Anderson (Avenue Q), Kristy Cates (Wicked), Amy Justman (Company), Mamie Parris (Ragtime), Lexi Rhoades (Sistas), Terry Burrell (Dreamgirls), DeMond B Nason (Walmartopia) The Doo Wop Project and Keve Wilson. 

PanCAN funds research and support systems for pancreatic cancer patients and their care givers. Believe NYC's Scholarship Fund provides young artists the financial support to train in their chosen field. The evening is produced by Carnahan, Ian Laskowski and Nason.

For tickets, priced $25, visit Stage72.com. Stage 72 is located in Manhattan at 158 West 72nd Street.