A Night of Covenant House Stars Gone Virtual
This yearly gala raises money for kids on the street, kids who need a home, direction and help and for many years, throughout the world, that help comes from Covenant House. Needless to say, the problems have increased dramatically with Covid-19.
May 18th’s virtual streaming gala featured not only the many young folks who have found a path through music, art and the tools to success, but the celebrities who are part of the process like Board members Audra McDonald and John Dickerson.
Your heart cries with pain and joy when listening to the personal stories of many of these kids, how they came to Covenant House and the remarkable help they received.
Singing during the two hour event was a long list of Broadway celebrities that included some highlights:
A trio consisting of Bobby Conte Thornton, Laura Osnes and Jeremy Jordan – “This Is My Song” – a spectacular rendition of a new Pasek and Paul (Dear Evan Hansen) song “This is Me” delivered with all the emotional guts by Keala Settle – “You’ll Never Really Know If You Don’t Try” sung and played on guitar by Dolly Parton, as well as a powerful duet by Darius De Haas and Capathia Jenkins and songs from Ariana DeBose, Jon Bon Jovi . . . a gorgeous ballad by Stephanie J. Block sung to her daughter.
Guest speakers with words of encouragement and hope included Nikki Sixx (with poignant personal stories), Dionne Warwick, Stephen Colbert, Tony Shalhoub.
The Covenant House Kids, as well as alumni, sang and played amazing songs showing off how their musical abilities have come to fruition.
The evening closed with Michael McElroy’s powerful Broadway Inspirational Voices lifting spirits.
The work continues and you can help by visiting:
Sandi Durell is Publisher/Editor of www.theaterpizzazz.com/
and has been writing, reviewing, producing, having a voice in the theater, cabaret and entertainment communities for over 25+ years. She is a Voting Member of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards; member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
Sandi is a producer of Broadway & Hollywood Live! Revues (www.ShaRellProductions.com); has produced numerous Songwriter Events for the American Popular Song Society (APSS – formerly New York Sheet Music Society on which she is a Board member); the benefit CD “Our Heart Sings;” is a producer on the Award winning film “Broadway the Golden Age” (with Rick McKay) and has produced a variety of entertainment events for most of her career.
She is a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU – Advisory Board),100+ year old Dutch Treat Club, The Lambs; an occasional theater “angel” and has had a career as a vocalist-performer.
Her column can also be found at www.theaterlife.com
