D'Abruzzo, Grove, Buonpane and More Appear at 'Living for Today' Benefit 10/12

LIVING FOR TODAY is an exciting benefit concert featuring the best of Broadway benefting the Gilana Shira Alpert Fund playing October 12, 2008 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. 

Currently scheduled to appear are Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q, "Scrubs"), Kate Reinders (Wicked, Gypsy, Into the Woods), Carly Jibson (Hairspray, Crybaby), JESSICA GROVE (Sunday in the Park with George, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Mis, Wizard of Oz), Celina Carvajal (42nd Street, Tarzan, "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods," Cats), Daniel Torres (Altar Boyz, Woman in White, The Pirate Queen), Todd Buonopane (Spelling Bee), and Lucia Spina (Legally Blonde, Les Miz, Spelling Bee). 

The rest of the over 20 voices include Elizabeth Broadhurst (Mary Poppins, Annie 30th Anniversary Tour, 1776), Brynn Curry, Jana DeBusk, Lindsay Foreman, Chad Johnson (Lyric Opera San Diego, BAM), Martin Landry, Paul Louis Lessard, Paul Luoma, Michael Lowney, Jen Sese, Scott Sowinski (Carnegie Hall, NY City Opera), Eric Van Tielen (A Tale of Two Cities), Ashleigh Twining, and Emily Zuzelski.  

Featuring a live band, new arrangements of your favorite showtunes, and all proceeds going to a great cause, this is not a night to be missed! 

LIVING FOR TODAY is being produced by Erica Ruff with musical direction by David Dabbon.  David Alpert directs the evening concert.

The Gilana Shira Alpert fund was established through the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in November of 2007 as a tribute and memorial to this amazing woman.  At the young age of 26, Gilana passed away due to reactions to prescription medications.  Action was taken immediately to preserve her memory, so that her wonderful passion and heart would live on, both literally when her family decided to donate many vital organs, and figuratively by creating this fund, as well as a memorial garden in her hometown in Muskegon, Michigan.  To date, the fund has raised over $10,000, and will be used to support the causes about which Gilana cared.  She went to Indiana University as a theatre major, and also studied extensively at the Kinsey Institute.  In addition to these interests, Gilana cared about teaching youth about the Holocaust, an event that took the lives of many of her family members.  

The Laurie Beecham Theater is located within the West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street at Ninth Avenue. Tickets priced $5 plus $15 Food and/or Beverage Minimum and are available by calling (212) 695-6909. Donations accepted at the door.  Doors open 1/2 hour prior to show.

Photo by Mark Rupp