Lia Chang: Marva Hicks and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra light up the Southern Theatre with a “A Night at the Apollo”

Marva Hicks_photo by Lia Chang
Broadway actress/vocalist Marva Hicks shares the stage with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Artistic Director Byron Stripling, at the Southern Theatre for “A Night at the Apollo,” in Columbus, Ohio from April 13-17, 2011. The Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) is celebrating music greats like Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and many others whose careers were launched by this legendary finishing school, in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month. Click here for the interview between Columbus Jazz Orchestra Artistic Director Byron Stripling and Ms. Hicks.

Marva Hicks Photo by Lia Chang

Marva Hicks Photo by Lia Chang


Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Marva Hicks first started her early career as a gospel singer. After a short stint with the group Eighties Ladies, Ms. Hicks appeared on Broadway in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music for nearly three years. During a tour in London, she met Stevie Wonder. She began touring with him during the mid-80s and sang background vocals on his album, Characters. She then signed with Polydor in the late ’80s and released her debut album, Marva Hicks, in 1991, with the R&B hits “I Got You Where I Want” and “Never Been in Love Before.” As a gospel singer, Ms. Hicks is a featured vocalist on the Broadway Inspirational Voices Choir’s Christmas CD, GREAT JOY. She has toured the world with Whitney Houston, James Ingram, and Michael Jackson for HisTORY tour. In this 1996 video clip, Ms. Hicks duets with Michael Jackson on “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” in Royal Brunei.
In addition to Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, other roles on Broadway include Rafiki in The Lion King and The Radio in Tony Kushner’s Caroline or Change. Off-Broadway, she appeared in Caroline, or Change (The Public Theater); with Leslie Uggams in Thunder Knocking on the Door (Minetta Lane) and Leslie Lee’s The First Breeze of Summer, directed by Ruben Santiago Hudson (Signature Theatre); with blues great Ruth Brown and Allan Toussaint in STAGGERLEE (Second Avenue Theater); and The Bikinis (Queens Theatre in the Park).

A favorite at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, the award-winning performing artist has worked on five productions including Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, starring Broadway legend Maurice Hines, for which she is nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Thunder Knocking on the Door (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress), The Women of Brewster Place, Crowns and Charles Randolph Wright’s Cuttin’ Up. Other regional credits include her role as Etta Mae in the world premiere of The Women of Brewster Place at The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta’s Suzi Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical); as Bess in a Jazz and Blues adaptation of Porgy and Bess (B. Iden Payne Award) at the Zachary Scott Theater Center in Austin, Texas; It’s Better With a Band (Prince Music Theater); Elliot Ness in Cleveland(Cleveland Playhouse), Twist (Walnut Street Theatre), One Mo’ Time, Sing Mahalia Sing, Bubbling Brown Sugar, and the US Tour of A…My Name Is Alice. Her film and TV credits include Assunder, starring Blair Underwood, Virtuosity, starring Denzel Washington, as Jacarra Principle on the ABC Daytime Soap Opera “One Life to Live” from 1997-1998, and guest starring roles on “L.A. LAW,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Mad About You” and “Sister, Sister“. She has been commissioned by Arena Stage to create and star in a solo musical piece about her journey in show business as a woman of faith.

Single tickets are available through the CAPA Ticket Office for $49 (main floor), $46 (first balcony) and $41 (second balcony). Tickets are available by phone at 614-469-0939 and through all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information call 614-294-5200 or visit www.jazzartsgroup.org for more information.

The Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO) is proud to perform prior to Sunday’s afternoon matinee at 1 PM. Admission to CYJO is free with 2 PM matinee ticket.

The Swingin’ at the Southern music series is presented by the Jazz Arts Group with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Columbus Foundation and the Westin Columbus.

“A Night at the Apollo”
April 13-17, 2011
Southern Theatre – CAPA
21 East Main Street
Columbus, OH 43215
http://www.capa.com/venues/southern.html
www.marvahicks.com

Here is the link – http://wp.me/pla1d-3m5 – to post this article on Facebook.
Below Vintage Marva Hicks singing “One Good Reason”

Reviews and Listings:
The Columbus Dispatch Review: Columbus Jazz Orchestra -Band and soloists soar in tribute to the Apollo
deltaskymag.delta.com: Marva Hicks with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra
artsinohio.com:
arenastage.org:The Gospel Truth with Marva Hicks

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Marva Hicks to Star in Concert of Pat Holley’s R&B/Pop Musical, Me & Caesar Lee at Triad Theatre, 3/27, 4/3 & 4/10
House of Payne-“Payneful Visit” Episode features Denise Burse as Claretha Jenkins on TBS
André De Shields stars in Chicago Premiere of Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James at Victory Gardens 5/14-6/12
Peter Jay Fernandez in Theatre for a New Audience’s Macbeth at The Duke through April 22
Ruby Dee, Alicia Keys and Sidney Poitier Among Honorees at Woodie King, Jr.’s New Federal Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Gala at Edison Ballroom on May 22
Up Close and Personal with Darren Pettie, Star of The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet,Tracee Chimo opening night of Neil LaBute’s The Break of Noon
Photos and Video of Kenny Endo Taiko Artist at Skirball in NYC
Multimedia: Exclusive photos and video of Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas -In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
Multimedia: Promises, Promises’ Stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes at Lord & Taylor Fifth Ave
Living Colour NYC Concert Photos
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.


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All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and “New York Undercover”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

Lia Chang: Marva Hicks to Star in Concert of Pat Holley’s R&B/Pop Musical, Me & Caesar Lee at Triad Theatre, March 27, April 3 and 10

Marva Hicks at The Triad Theatre in New York on December 17, 2010. Photo by Lia Chang

Marva Hicks at The Triad Theatre in New York on December 17, 2010. Photo by Lia Chang

Marva Hicks returns to the Triad Theatre in New York, after her spectacular Christmas concert in December, to star as Camille in a concert version of Pat Holley’s all original R&B/Pop Musical, Me & Caesar Lee, on Sunday, March 27th, April 3rd and April 10th at 8pm.

Set in the year 1985, Me & Caesar Lee is the fictitious story of Camille Lambert, a 43-year-old former pop recording star/songwriter who tries to make a comeback by writing songs for a teenage singing group – leaving her life forever changed.

Lee Summers (Original Dreamgirls & 2010 Bistro Award Winner) directs this 80 minute concert which features four principals of the ten member cast. Devale Ellis (former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions) makes his concert debut in the title-role as “Caesar Lee,” Amanda T. Holley (Recently signed with Smack Water Production/Universal Records) sings the role of “Nakima D,” and both Broadway’s Raun Ruffin (Civil War) and Dennis Williams, the 4th Voice (Musical Director) of the R&B Hall of Fame O’Jay’s will appear as “Paul Hudson.” This concert presentation of Me & Caesar Lee is presented by Dan Culleton’s G. Gebony Productions in association with the Triad Theatre.

Marva Hicks Photo by Lia Chang

Marva Hicks Photo by Lia Chang


Award-winning performing artist Marva Hicks has appeared on Broadway as Rafiki in The Lion King, as The Radio in Caroline or Change, and in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. Off-Broadway, she appeared in Caroline, or Change (The Public Theater); Thunder Knocking on the Door (Minetta Lane); and Leslie Lee’s The First Breeze of Summer, directed by Ruben Santiago Hudson (Signature Theatre).

A favorite at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, Ms. Hicks has worked on five productions including Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, starring Broadway legend Maurice Hines, for which she is nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Thunder Knocking on the Door (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress), Crowns and Charles Randolph Wright’s Cuttin’ Up. Other regional credits include her role as Etta Mae in the world premiere of The Women of Brewster Place at The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta’s Suzi Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical); as Bess in a Jazz and Blues adaptation of Porgy and Bess (B. Iden Payne Award) at the Zachary Scott Theater Center in Austin, Texas; It’s Better With a Band (Prince Music Theater); Elliot Ness in Cleveland(Cleveland Playhouse), Twist (Walnut Street Theatre) and the US Tour of A…My Name Is Alice. Her film and TV credits include Assunder, starring Blair Underwood, Virtuosity, starring Denzel Washington, as Jacarra Principle on the ABC Daytime Soap Opera One Life to Live, L.A. LAW, Star Trek: Voyager and Mad About You.

As a gospel singer, Ms. Hicks is a featured vocalist on the Broadway Inspirational Voices Choir’s Christmas CD, GREAT JOY. She scored her first record deal while still a student at Howard University, where she earned her BFA, cum laude. Her second record deal with Polygram Records, yielded the Top 10 R&B single, NEVER BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE. She has worked extensively with Lena Horne, Whitney Houston, James Ingram, and traveled the world with Stevie Wonder as a backing vocalist and Michael Jackson for HisTORY tour. She has been commissioned by Arena Stage to create and star in a solo musical piece about her journey in show business as a woman of faith.

Tickets are $25 + 2 drink minimum
Click here to purchase in advance. The Triad is cash only.
Triad Theatre
158 West 72nd Street (Between Broadway & Columbus)
www.triadnyc.com
212 580-1201
MAC members are $20 at door.
http://meandcaesarlee.com/
www.marvahicks.com

Bookmark and Share

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachang@hotmail.com.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and “New York Undercover”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Up Close and Personal with Darren Pettie, Star of The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
A night out with Gordana Rashovich, Flora Goforth in The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
André De Shields Set for World Premiere of Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James at Indiana Rep, 3/22-4/10
Photos:The Working Theater’s Off-Broadway production of HONEY BROWN EYES by Stefanie Zadravec at The Clurman
Lia Chang Photo Slideshows of Productions in the Working Theater’s 25th Anniversary Season
Andy Warhol, Romare Bearden, Alexander Calder, Lia Chang in Art & Healing Exhibit at Snug Harbor on SI
Juicy Buns at Ollie’s
The Dish on Susur Lee and Shang
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang Multimedia: The 52nd Street Project Benefit Photos: Michael Cerveris, James Monroe Inglehart, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Matthew Morrison, Greg Naughton and Kelli O’Hara

The 52nd Street  Project lyricists Brandon Leon, Elizabeth Vasquez, Adnan Ahmed, Melissa Rebolledo and Wendell Jenkins.  ©Lia Chang

The 52nd Street Project lyricists Brandon Leon, Elizabeth Vasquez, Adnan Ahmed, Melissa Rebolledo and Wendell Jenkins. ©Lia Chang


Rebecca Naomi Jones, who is currently starring in American Idiot on Broadway, with Denise Burse. Photo by Lia Chang

Rebecca Naomi Jones, who is currently starring in American Idiot on Broadway, with Denise Burse. Photo by Lia Chang

I had a great time at The 52nd Street Project’s Spring Sing Thing: A Garden Variety Benefit at Espace on Monday night, thanks to my hosts Mildred and Borah Walton, whose daughter Denise Burse (House of Payne) invited me to the party. Ms. Burse and her husband Peter Jay Fernandez (FX’s Damages), are among the countless professional theater artists who have mentored and nurtured kids of The 52nd St. Project for almost two decades.

Looking for a way to improve the quality of life for New York’s inner-city children, actor/playwright and 1994 MacArthur Fellow Willie Reale founded The 52nd Street Project in 1981.

Willie Reale, an actor, playwright and 1994 MacArthur Fellow founded The 52nd Street Project in 1981. Photo by Lia Chang

Willie Reale, an actor, playwright and 1994 MacArthur Fellow founded The 52nd Street Project in 1981. Photo by Lia Chang

Mr. Reale, an actor, playwright, and company member of the Ensemble Studio Theater (EST), used his company privileges to reach out to the children of the neighborhood by creating theatrical endeavors specifically for them. This was done with the cooperation and support of EST and its across-the-street-neighbor, the Police Athletic League’s Duncan Center. The Project is an independent not-for-profit organization that creates over eighty new plays and serves over 115 children every year.

For 29 years, The Project’s mission has been dedicated to the creation and production of new plays for and by kids between the ages of nine and eighteen that reside in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in New York City.

Cocktails and dinner were followed by a delightful show, emceed by Martha Plimpton, featuring songs with lyrics written by kids of the Project and music supplied by professional artists.

Martha Plimpton emceed The 52nd Street Project's Spring Sing Thing Benefit at Espace in New York on Monday, May 10, 2010. © Lia Chang

Martha Plimpton emceed The 52nd Street Project's Spring Sing Thing Benefit at Espace in New York on Monday, May 10, 2010. © Lia Chang


Spring Sing Thing was written by John Sheehy, directed by Jonathan Bernstein, and featured musical direction and piano by Kimberly Grigsby, Thad DeBrock on guitar, Jeff Potter on drums, and backup singers Emma Hunton and Gabriel Violett. With music coordination by Kim D. Sherman, lighting design by Greg MacPherson, sound design by Charles Coe and set design by George Babiak.

Memphis’ star James Monroe Inglehart, who sat at our table, was adorable singing ‘She the Best’ by lyricist Adnan Ahmed, age 10, and composer Brian Lowdermilk (Henry and Mudge).

James Monroe Inglehart is currently appearing on Broadway in Memphis. © Lia Chang

James Monroe Inglehart is currently appearing on Broadway in Memphis.© Lia Chang


‘Immortal Powers’ with lyrics by Melissa Rebolledo, age 13, was composed and sung by Michael Cerveris (Assassins).
Michael Cerveris © Lia Chang

Michael Cerveris © Lia Chang

American Idiot’s star Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange) rocked ‘To The Beat of New York’ by lyricist Elizabeth Vasquez, age 12, and composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal).
 American Idiot's star Rebecca Naomi Jones © Lia Chang

American Idiot's star Rebecca Naomi Jones © Lia Chang

Glee’s Matthew Morrison, who has charmed Broadway audiences in South Pacific, Hairspray and Light in the Piazza, sang ‘Need U’ by lyricist Wendell Joseph, age 13, and composer Jeanine Tesori (Caroline or Change, Shrek The Musical).
Lyricist Wendell Joseph, age 13 and Glee's Matthew Morrison © Lia Chang

Lyricist Wendell Joseph, age 13 and Glee's Matthew Morrison © Lia Chang


Greg Naughton of the band The Sweet Remains was joined by his wife Kelli O’Hara (South Pacific, Light in the Piazza) to sing ‘Springtime the Joyful Time’ by lyricist Brandon Leon, age 12, which Naughton composed as well.
Greg Naughton and Kelli O’Hara © Lia Chang

Greg Naughton and Kelli O’Hara © Lia Chang


Proceeds from Spring Sing Thing will support the project’s original writing, performance and tutoring programs.

The 52nd Street Project now has a home of their own, their very first theater located at 789 Tenth Avenue between 52nd & 53rd Streets, in the Archstone-Clinton development, which is slated to open later this summer. For more information, visit: www.52project.org.

Lia Chang, Matthew Morrison and designer Selena Evans Photo by Robert Evans

Lia Chang, Matthew Morrison and designer Selena Evans Photo by Robert Evans

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer and an award-winning multimedia journalist. Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, VIBE, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog. As a photographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Her HERRINGBONE Backstage Pass with BD Wong photography exhibition was on view at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, N.J. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on One Life to Live. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman, As the World Turns and New York Undercover.
Other Articles by this Author
Michael Cerveris, Matthew Morrison and Kelli O’Hara Lend Vocal Talents for 52nd St. Project Benefit
Peter Jay Fernandez and Jane Summerhays in star in Mr. Lincoln at New York Historical Society
Angela’s Mixtape Opening Night
Zooman and The Sign Opening Night Party
Peter Jay Fernandez and Laura Heisler Star in Too Much Memory
BD Wong to Star in Asia Society Benefit Concert of Heading East, May 24-26
Achieving the American Dream, Professional Charmer Andre De Shields Sees Theater is a Way to Life
Multimedia: Yellow Face Reading and Book Signing with David Henry Hwang, Kathryn Layng, Francis Jue and Special Guest Edward Albee
Multimedia: NAATCO’s LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! with special guest Terrence McNally
The Bacchae Opening Night Photos: Andre De Shields, Jonathan Groff and Anthony Mackie
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang: Michael Cerveris, Matthew Morrison and Kelli O’Hara Lend Vocal Talents for 52nd Street Project’s 2010 Benefit on 5/10

Peter Jay Fernandez and his wife Denise Burse have had a special place in their hearts for the kids of The 52nd St. Project for almost two decades. Photo by Lia Chang

Peter Jay Fernandez and his wife Denise Burse have had a special place in their hearts for the kids of The 52nd St. Project for almost two decades. Photo by Lia Chang

I’ve been invited to The 52nd Street Project’s Spring Sing Thing: A Garden Variety Benefit at Espace on Monday, May 10, 2010, by my good friend and colleague actress Denise Burse (Angela’s Mixtape, Claretha on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne). For almost two decades, she and her husband Peter Jay Fernandez, who recently appeared in Yussef El Guindi’s Language Rooms at the Wilma Theater, and has a recurring role on FX’s Damages, have volunteered their time and talent as two of the countless professional theater artists who are matched up with kids in a series of unique mentoring programs for The 52nd Street Project. The Project’s mission is dedicated to the creation and production of new plays for and by kids between the ages of nine and eighteen that reside in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in New York City.

The evening’s festivities will be emceed by Martha Plimpton, and will feature a bouquet of songs with lyrics written by kids of the Project and music supplied by professional artists. Included on the lineup is the work of lyricists Adnan Ahmed, Brandon Leon, Wendell Joseph, Melissa Rebolledo, and Elizabeth Vazquez, and composers Brian Lowdermilk (Henry and Mudge), Jeanine Tesori (Caroline or Change, Shrek The Musical) and Tom Kitt (Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for Next to Normal).

Singers Michael Cerveris (Tony for Assassins), Matthew Morrison (Glee), James Monroe Iglehart (currently on Broadway in Memphis), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange, American Idiot), Kelli O’Hara (South Pacific, Light in the Piazza) and Greg Naughton (of the band The Sweet Remains) will lend their vocal talents.

Jonathan Bernstein is the Director and Kimberly Grigsby is the Music Director. The band will include Grigsby on keyboards and Jeff Potter on drums.

The Project was founded in 1981 by actor/playwright and 1994 MacArthur Fellow Willie Reale in response to a deepening need to improve the quality of life for New York’s inner-city children. Mr. Reale, an actor, playwright, and company member of the Ensemble Studio Theater (EST), used his company privileges to reach out to the children of the neighborhood by creating theatrical endeavors specifically for them. This was done with the cooperation and support of EST and its across-the-street-neighbor, the Police Athletic League’s Duncan Center. The Project is now an independent not-for-profit organization that creates over eighty new plays and serves over 115 children every year.

The 52nd Street Project recently opened a theater—the first of their own—at 789 Tenth Avenue between 52nd & 53rd Streets, in the Archstone-Clinton development. The facility’s opening is slated for late summer of this year.

The evening will begin at 7 pm with cocktails followed by dinner and the show. Tickets are $250 and $500 and can be reserved by calling 212-333-5252 x16. For further information, visit: www.52project.org.

For further information, contact John Sheehy, Director of Development at The 52nd Street Project at (212) 333-5252 or sheehy@52project.org. Contributions are tax deductible except for $150 per ticket. All ticket orders will be held at the door. Proceeds from Spring Sing Thing will support the project’s original writing, performance and tutoring programs.

Espace
635 West 42nd St. btwn 11th & 12th Aves)
New York

Other Articles by this AuthorPhotos: De Shields, McClendon, Elisa, Glasco, Nemser, Phillips, Thompson at The Sovereign State of Boogedy Boogedy Reading
Photos: A.B. Cruz III and Lillian Kimura Receive 2011 AALDEF Justice in Action Awards
Spend Valentine’s Day with André De Shields in The Sovereign State of Boogedy Boogedy at the Abingdon Theatre
Photos of Lion Dancers in Los Angeles Chinatown
Photos: Chinese New Year Festival at The Huntington in San Marino
New York Blizzard of 2010
Snow in New York City’s Central Park
Kevin Anderson, Catherine Dent, Tracee Chimo, John Earl Jelks in Neil La Bute’s The Break of Noon at the Geffen 1/25-3/6
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet,Tracee Chimo opening night of Neil LaBute’s The Break of Noon
A.B. Cruz III of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Lillian Kimura To Receive 2011 Justice in Action Awards
Photos:The Working Theater’s Off-Broadway production of HONEY BROWN EYES by Stefanie Zadravec at The Clurman
Andy Warhol, Romare Bearden, Alexander Calder, Lia Chang in Art & Healing Exhibit at Snug Harbor on SI
Photos & Video Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas-In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
Multimedia: Promises, Promises’ Stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes at Lord & Taylor Fifth Ave
Peter Jay Fernandez and Jane Summerhays in star in Mr. Lincoln at New York Historical Society
Zooman and The Sign Opening Night Party
Peter Jay Fernandez and Laura Heisler Star in Too Much Memory
Multimedia: Yellow Face Reading and Book Signing with David Henry Hwang, Kathryn Layng, Francis Jue and Special Guest Edward Albee
Multimedia: NAATCO’s LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! with special guest Terrence McNally
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

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