The performances will support ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty), a non-profit that provides arts education and empowerment to impoverished children in the U.S., South Africa and India. Specifically, proceeds benefit ASTEP's partner school in India, Shanti Bhavan. Miller is an ASTEP board member.
Admission is $20. Performances are at 7 PM. There is a two-drink minimum.
"I had the pleasure of teaching at Shanti Bhavan last year and can attest to how well utilized the money raised at this event will be," Miller said. "You will be seeing a fantastic concert of a beautiful score — a touching story in addition to participating in the worthy cause of educating and caring for some amazing, loving children."
The Triad Theater is at 158 West 72nd, second floor. For reservations call (212) 362-2511.
john & jen has book and music by Andrew Lippa and book and lyrics by Tom Greenwald. The two-person musical debuted at Off-Broadway's Lamb's Theatre in 1995. The musical looks at relationships between brothers and sisters and parents and children, set against the background of a changing America between 1950 and 1990. It's the story of Jen and her relationships with the two Johns of her life: her younger brother, who was killed in Vietnam, and his namesake, her son who is trying to find his way in the world. For more information about ASTEP, visit www.asteponline.org.
*
Artists Striving To End Poverty (ASTEP) "uses the arts as a tool to empower young people with creativity, knowledge, and a strong sense of self-esteem, factors which help them advance their lives and communities. At ASTEP, we provide artists with opportunities to connect with global youths, allowing them to use their gifts to create meaningful and effective change for young people in need."
Project Shanti Bhavan "enrolls children from India's lowest caste — 'the untouchables.' These children and their families, like many in rural India, live on less the 50 cents per day and for whom education is inadequate or nonexistent. Shanti Bhavan is the only place for these children to build a future beyond the limitations of their social class. Prior to coming to the school the children have never seen a clean drink of water, a bed, a toothbrush, a toilet or a teddy bear. To Shanti Bhavan's mission, the program houses, feeds, provides healthcare and educates with excellence approximately 225 children from pre-school to grade ten."
