Executive-produced by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin) and Bruce Cohen ("American Beauty," "Milk," Silver Linings Playbook," I Am Harvey Milk), the 8 PM concert promises to be "entertaining and inspiring, weaving together stories and performances by activists and artists from around the world."
The concert coincides with the United Nations General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City.
LuPone is a Tony Award winner for Evita and Gypsy. Sting will return to Broadway this season as the composer-lyricist for the new musical The Last Ship.
Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black ("Milk") will pen the script for Uprising of Love: A Benefit Concert for Global Equality that will be directed by Schele Williams and produced by Jayson Raitt. Alex Lacamoire (In the Heights) will serve as musical director.
Additional performers and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Presented in a partnership with the United Nations Foundation, the event "strives to support the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN's Free & Equal campaign in calling for equal rights globally for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and to raise significant funding for grassroots organizations and activists working toward that goal around the world."
Net proceeds from the event will go directly to Fueling the Frontlines, a three-year campaign for global LGBTI rights led by the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. Astraea is the only philanthropic organization in the United States solely dedicated to advancing LGBTI rights globally.
Tickets range from $50-$250 and go on sale Aug. 15 at 10 AM at uprisingoflove.org/benefitconcert.
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Uprising of Love is a global movement to support the safety and dignity of LGBTI people around the world. Co-founded by Melissa Etheridge, Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, and dozens of prominent individuals in entertainment, sports, business, and politics, the campaign was initially launched leading up to the Sochi Winter Olympics to shine a light on Russia’s anti-gay laws. Uprising of Love is now focused on raising awareness and funds for activists making a difference on the ground in every part of the globe where LGBTI safety and dignity is compromised.
