Ward, Rose, Etc. Join 'Christmas in July' Benefit

On Monday July 23, ASTEP (Artists Striving To End Poverty) will present "Christmas in July: Misfit Kids' Letters to Old St. Nick," the world premiere of a collection of naughty (and nice) holiday-themed theatre songs by lyricist Kenneth Jones and composer Gerald Stockstill (both alumni of The BMI-Lehman Musical Theatre Workshop) as a benefit fundraiser for ASTEP's programs. More stars recently joined the concert.

Music-directed by Drama Desk Award-winner and ASTEP founder Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Broadway's Company), the 7:30 PM concert at The Players Theatre (115 Macdougal Street at Minetta Lane, 1-1/2 blocks south of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village) will feature Chris Hoch (Broadway's Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast), Daniel C. Levine (Broadway's Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show), Cindy Marchionda (Arena Stage's Damn Yankees, Encores! The Apple Tree), Sally Wilfert (Broadway's Assassins and the New York-bound Make Me a Song) with special guests including Kara Boyer, Roger DeWitt (The Woman in White), Colleen Fitzpatrick (110 in the Shade, Passion), Emily Harvey (North Shore's upcoming Three Musketeers), Tony Award nominee Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins), Michelle Miller, Fred Rose (Company), Ben Roseberry, Drama Desk Award nominee Jennifer Simard (Broadway's ...Spelling Bee, Off-Broadway's The Thing About Men and I Love You, You're Perfect...), Andre Ward (Xanadu) and Jessica-Snow Wilson (...Spelling Bee).

Jones and Stockstill, who met in the BMI Workshop, are developing a new musical comedy revue of darkly funny letters to Santa Claus in which kids are played by adults. "We thought our so-far orphaned songs would make for a fun concert with a variety of voices," composer Stockstill said, "and we were excited to be invited by ASTEP to test our work in front of an audience for the first time."

Lyricist Jones, who is also managing editor of Playbill.com, added, "It's nice knowing that songs sung by selfish, bratty, greedy characters will be doing some good for children who are in true need. ASTEP brings hope, comfort and joy to kids around the world, and Jerry and I have promised that beyond this concert, ASTEP will benefit from any future success our show has."

This is Jones and Stockstill's first major collaboration together since meeting in the Tony-Honored BMI Workshop. They recently worked with other BMI writers on the musicals Too Good to Be True (Stockstill and lyricist Amy Coady) and Voice of the City (Jones and composer Elaine Chelton).

A $20 pledge to ASTEP will secure a seat for this dress-casual, book-in-hand "Christmas in July" concert, which is part of ASTEP's tradition of giving voice to emerging songwriters. All artists are volunteering their talent, and 100 percent of the money supports ASTEP's mission to bring the arts to kids in need.

To make a reservation, e-mail tickets@createsomethinggood.org or call (212) 706-1516. Put your name on the reservation list, and just show up with $20 per seat (cash or check in hand) at the Players Theatre July 23! Seating for the 7:30 PM show is general admission, and seating is limited!

For more information about ASTEP's programs, visit www.createsomethinggood.org.

Photo of Fred Rose by Linda Lenzi