The 7:30 PM concert will raise funds for the January 2009 South African initiative of a new, not-for-profit organization called Broadway in South Africa (BSA).
BSA commissioned composers Jeff Blumenkrantz, Bobby Cronin, Jonathan Reid Gealt, Adam Gwon, Tom Kitt, Michael John LaChiusa, Steve Marzullo, Jeremy Schonfeld and Georgia Stitt to create music based on poems, stories and drawings created by African students.
These new works will be performed by Sebastian Arcelus, Stanley Bahorek, Sean Bradford, Allison Case, Steven Cutts, Eden Espinosa, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Frankie James Grande, Adam Kantor, Kendra Kassebaum, Norm Lewis, Tracy McDowell, Julia Murney, Billy Porter, Courtney Reed, Kate Shindle, Andre Ward, Sally Wilfert and Lisa Nicole Wilkerson.
The concert's opening act features South African performers Lindiwe Dlamini, Bongi Duma, Tsidi Manye, S'bu Ngema and Mpume Sikakane, all from the cast of Broadway's The Lion King. The evening will also showcase the dancing of Broadway artists Sean Bradford, Gabriel Croom, Tim Erlich, Frankie James Grande, Kennedy Kanagawa, Kenway Kua, Daniel Puneky and Rickey Tripp. The dancers will perform a modern dance piece with traditional African movement choreographed by Charles O. Anderson.
Jen Bender directs the concert with music direction by Brad Haak. A post-show reception (for VIP ticket holders) with the performers will follow.
The aim of Broadway in South Africa, according to press notes, is to "develop cross cultural exchanges between youth in need and professional artists who seek to use their talents for change, by way of annual workshop/performance initiatives in South Africa." The concert will help fund the January 2009 trip to South Africa.
Peter Norton Symphony Space is located in Manhattan at 2527 Broadway at 95th Street. Tickets, priced $20 (for those under 25 years of age), $60 and $100, are available by calling (212) 864-5400 or by visiting www.symphonyspace.org. VIP sponsor packages, priced $500 to $15,000, are available by contacting Sean Bradford at [email protected] or (917) 370-6915.
For more information go to www.broadwayinsouthafrica.com.
