Max Von Essen, Derek Klena, and More to Perform at RAISE YOUR VOICE: A CABARET FOR A CURE

NYU student and lymphoma survivor Rob Morean will produce an evening of performances benefitting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

"Raise Your Voice: A Cabaret For A Cure" was first conceived after creator Rob Morean was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 2014. Rob was forced to take a semester off from studying musical theatre at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts to return home and undergo chemotherapy. Fortunately, after three months of treatment, Rob entered remission on January 15th, 2015, and returned to NYU that following semester. After enduring treatment and witnessing the experience of other patients around him, Rob was determined to give back. That Spring, he created, produced, and directed the first "Raise Your Voice," which raised over $13,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Following last year's success, Rob is excited to announce that this year, "Raise Your Voice" will be held on Sunday, October 16th, 2016, where he will be joined by more amazing Broadway performers and emerging artists from NYU Tisch's The New Studio on Broadway to continue raising money for LLS and their life-saving mission.

"Raise Your Voice" will feature performances by Tony-Nominee Max von Essen (American in Paris, Evita), Tony-Nominee Michael McElroy (RENT, Big River) and the Broadway Inspirational Voices, Derek Klena (Fantasia, Dogfight, Wicked), Natalie Weiss (Everyday Rapture, Les Miserables), Claybourne Elder (The Carries Diaries, Bonnie and Clyde), Singer/Songwriter Joey Contreras, and more. The evening will be hosted again by Zuzanna Szadkowski (Gossip Girl). Executive Producer Rob Morean will serve as Artistic Director, and will be joined by producers Brian Swinney, Amanda Pinto and Jake Nathanson. The event is music directed by Mark Evans and will feature choreography by Barry McNabb (Phantom of the Opera, Dancin'), Billy Griffin (Young Frankenstein, Marry Poppins, White Christmas), Phil Colgan (Papermill's A Bronx Tale and West Side Story), and Amanda Pinto. Lighting design is by Kelley Shih, sound design by Neal Goleta, and costume design by James Nguyen (Something Rotten!, Aladdin, Tuck Everlasting).

Those who cannot attend the event can make a tax-deductible donation at http://events.lls.org/pages/nyc/RaiseYourVoice2016

Join us this October for a night of inspiration and incredible performances. All proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's critical life-saving mission to cure all blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

"Raise Your Voice: A Cabaret for a Cure" will be held on Sunday, October 16th, 2016 at 8 PM at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at 566 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012. Tickets start at $30. VIP tickets are available for $250 and include a pre-show reception, cast meet-and-greet, photos, and sponsorship in the program. There will be other donation opportunities throughout the evening, including a silent auction. For tickets and more information, please visit www.raiseyourvoicecabaret.com.