Randy Redd directed the performance, with musical direction by Aaron Jodoin. Janine LaManna opened the eclectic concert with "After the Storm," featuring Stephen Flaherty on piano and backup vocals from Michael McElroy, Danielle Lee Greaves and Celisse Henderson.
A few of the offerings from the first half of the show included Mark Lawson presenting a new song by Michael Feinsten and Bill Schermerhorn, Jill Paice with "There Will Come a Day," Hair's Rachel Bay Jones in a rendition of "No More" from Into the Woods, Robin Skye covering Patty Griffin's "When It Don't Come Easy," Farah Alvin belting "2 Steps Away" and Tituss Burgess lending his smooth tenor to "Believe" from The Wiz.
Other highlights from the two-hour affair included Christy Carlson Romano delivering Johnny Cash's "Big River," Gregg Edelmann in a touching version of "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," Lynne Wintersteller with "Chanson" from The Baker's Wife and Billy Porter bringing down the house with one of his signature songs, "Time."
The evening wound down with Betty Buckley donating her legendary rendition of "Memory," followed by three Once on This Island numbers performed by original cast members: Gerry McIntyre performed the cut song "Come Down From the Tree," Kecia Lewis-Evans delighted with "Mama Will Provide" and Andrea Frierson closed with the concert's title song, "The Human Heart."
Here is a look at this Monday night at the Pub:
All proceeds go directly to SOS Children's Villages, which is "assessing the most immediate needs of the thousands of victims of the disaster in Haiti and will provide medical supplies, drinking water and basic food supplies." Visit www.sos-childrensvillages.org.
