"Brilliant Mistake: Broadway Sings Elvis Costello" will perform for one night only, Oct. 31, starting at 8 PM, at John Jay College's Gerald L. Lynch Theater. Proceeds from the concert benefit Friends In Deed, a crisis center for people with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends.
Avenue Q and Rent's Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller produces the event directed by Jason Eagan. Tom Kitt provides musical direction and arrangements.
Among the lineup of stars to honor the special guest Elvis Costello will be Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Justin Bond of Kiki & Herb, Kevin Cahoon (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Mario Cantone (Laugh Whore), Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Alan Cumming (Cabaret), Raul Esparza (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Eden Espinosa (Brooklyn), Audra McDonald (Ragtime), Matthew Morrison (The Light In The Piazza), Adam Pascal (Rent), Billy Porter (Ghetto Superstar), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Molly Ringwald (Cabaret), Sherie Rene Scott (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Traci Thoms (film "Rent"), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent) and Patrick Wilson (Full Monty).
The concert — at which costumes will be welcome — takes its name from the opening track of Costello's 1985 album "King of America." The 2003 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee is known for his work with The Attractions and The Imposters as well as collaborations with Burt Bacharach, Paul McCartney, The Charles Mingus Orchestra, T. Bone Burnett, and many other artists.
Costello earned a Grammy Award for "I Still Have That Other Girl" from "Painted From Memory," his 1998 collaboration with Burt Bacharach. He was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song for "The Scarlet Tide" from "Cold Mountain." Other recordings include "This Year's Model," "Goodbye Cruel World," "Imperial Bedroom," "Blood and Chocolate," "Spike," "All This Useless Beauty" and "When I Was Cruel." Previous Friends In Deed fundraisers include the 10th anniversary concerts of Passion, Into The Woods, Sunday In The Park With George, an evening of short plays Short Talks On The Universe. Mike Nichols and Cynthia O'Neal founded Friend In Deed in 1991. The organization "is a crisis center for anyone diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening physical illnesses; the caregivers, family and friends of those who are ill; and those dealing with grief and bereavement," according to a release.
Tickets to "Brilliant Mistake" at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater, 899 10th Avenue (between 58 and 59 St.) range from $100-$250-$500 (the latter two prices include a post-concert party) are available by calling (800) 996-5443 or visit www.friendsindeed.org.
