"The Wreath of Kindness," a song written by Peter Candela for the cast of Broadway's The Lion King, features Fred Berman and Ben Jeffrey, who play the respective roles of Timon and Pumbaa in the Disney musical; the original song "Outside the Box" features the cast of The Phantom of the Opera alongside leading man Hugh Panaro.
Also featured on the album will be cast members from Wicked, Mamma Mia!, Newsies, Rock of Ages, Mary Poppins, Once and The Mystery of Edwin Drood as well as Kate Wetherhead, Benjamin Eakeley, Howie Michael Smith and Joanna Shubart, representing The John Engeman Theatre.
The two-disc annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from 2012 Broadway shows supports Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). The CDs will be sold during a six-week "Gypsy-of-the-Year" fundraising period, which runs from October through early December at participating Broadway and Off-Broadway shows in New York.
Additionally, the CDs will be available at select venues throughout the U.S., including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; The L.A. Phil Store in Disney Hall; and The John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, NY.
Produced by Lynn Pinto for Rock-It Science Records and engineered by Andros Rodriguez, the "Broadway's Carols for a Cure" series has raised over $3 million dollars for BC/EFA since its inception in 1999, providing support and care for those suffering with AIDS, as well as lending support to women's health issues. Previous "Broadway's Carols for a Cure" CDs have featured performances by Bernadette Peters, Nick Jonas, Antonio Banderas, Idina Menzel, Hugh Jackman, Harvey Fierstein, David Hyde Pierce, Raul Esparza, John Tartaglia, Darlene Love, Hugh Panaro, Michael McKean, Annette O’Toole, Andrea McArdle, Donna Lynne Champlin and Phyllis Newman, among others.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
"Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 14," as well as volumes from previous seasons, can be ordered for $23 through BC/EFA at BroadwayCares.org or by calling (212) 840-0770, ext. 238. For other recordings visit the Playbill Store.
