Interview: Producer Gabe Friedman Dishes on His Broadway Cares Fundraising Cabaret

If you've ever seen a show on Broadway or even professional companies touring nationally, you may have hear a curtain call speech requesting donations for a charity called Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This non-profit group uses the funds to help those suffering from HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS affects people across the nation and that fact was not lost on UCF Senior Gabe Friedman. Gabe and other UCF students are hosting a fundraiser cabaret on October 30th to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Below, Gabe discusses with Broadway World what he's been up to and a little more about this fundraiser.

Hi Gabe. You and I have chatted a few times this past year. What are you up to now?
I'm currently busy finishing up my final semester at UCF! I'm playing Woof in Hair at Theatre UCF, which runs October 15-25, I'm working at the Pop Parlour on UCF's campus, and I'm directing UCF Cares for the second year in a row for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Tell me about Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Why you chose this charity and how does it help people not just living in NY?

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry based, non-profit HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations, raising 155 million dollars since they were founded in 1987. They use the money they raise to not only raise awareness and educate people about HIV/AIDS, but also support organizations that help people living with HIV/AIDS in all 50 states. You can find more information on their website, broadwaycares.org. BC/EFA is extremely important to me because, as a gay actor, I feel like I stand on the shoulders of thousands of gay actors whose lives ended way too soon because of the AIDS epidemic. I personally believe it is my duty to help as much as I can to raise awareness and money to hopefully find a cure within my lifetime.

Last year you raised about $600. What are your goals for putting on this fundraising cabaret?

I hope to raise more than we did last year and the only way I can do that is by getting the word out to as many people as possible. However, even if we don't make the goal, it's still more than if we hadn't raised any at all. Every little bit helps. We are raffling off signed Broadway posters at the event, so if you come, make sure to bring cash!

Tell me about the cabaret itself. Is there a theme?

The cabaret is about two hours long (including the raffle), and the theme is "The Journey", which focuses on the emotional, romantic, physical, and spiritual journeys that have been sung about in theatre for years.

How did you pick "The Journey" and how do you decide what pieces will be performed?

Last year's theme was all about love, so I wanted to do something different. It took me a while to decide, and I toyed with many varied ideas: a gender bending cabaret, a Disney themed cabaret, another love cabaret... I ultimately chose "The Journey" because so many people can relate to the journeys these characters in the cabaret take. Likewise, I hope people see that "the journey" to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, and to honor the people who have lost their lives to it, is still ongoing and we will not stop until we find the cure.

You mentioned that you are working with UCF students. You are going to be a UCF alumni soon, what is it like working with your peers?

I'm not quite an alumni yet! Only a few more months until that happens (yikes!). I can talk about working with my peers (and my sister), though. It was a great learning experience last year to find a balance between being the authority figure as director as well as a peer and friend to the cast members. After having those experiences, I am extremely prepared to have that balance clearly defined once rehearsals begin next Monday.

Are there any numbers in particular that we should be on the lookout for?

Oh, yes! Luckily, some of my favorite songs of all time are about journeys. One that everyone should get excited for is "The Party Goes With You" sung by the incomparable musical theatre senior, Fo'i Meleah. It's heart wrenching and she absolutely kills it every time. There are also some full sections of the cabaret that I'm really excited about. Act One ends with a "flying" motif, while Act Two ends with a "sailing" medley, including one of my favorite songs, "Just Around the Riverbend" sung by musical theatre sophomore, Ally Rosenblum.

How can people come see the show? Is there a way for people to donate, if they can't make it?

The cabaret is free to the public, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE bring a donation, as this is first and foremost a fundraiser. It will take place in the UCF Visual Arts Building Auditorium located at 12400 Aquarius Agora Dr., Orlando, FL 32816. If you can't make it, please donate on broadwaycares.org or if you'd like to add to the total amount raised for the cabaret, you can post on our Facebook page that you want to donate, and I will follow up with a private message.

Great Gabe! Thank you so much and I hope you have a big turn out.

This UCF Theater Fundraising Cabaret will take place on October 30, 2015 at the UCF Visual Arts Building. FREE to attend, but donations are strongly suggested. If you'd like to learn more about the event visit their Facebook page.

Photo Credit: Gabe Friedman

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