Twin Cities Theatre Hosts Artists for Japan: A Benefit Concert 4/25

Theatrical artists from the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota will present a special, one-night-only benefit concert in honor of supporting family and friends affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The cabaret-style concert will take place on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ordway's McKnight Theatre, and proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts that help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and the Pacific tsunami.

The evening will feature many of the Twin Cities' most celebrated theater performers including James A. Rocco (the Ordway), Connie Kunkle (from the Donny Osmond production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"), Linda Kelsey, Bradley Greenwald, Jim Lichtscheidl, Christina Baldwin and Jennifer Baldwin Peden, the dancing of Sossy Mechanics, Mu Daiko, Dieter Bierbrauer, Michael Gruber, Tony Vierling, Regina Marie Williams, Erin Schwab, Kimberly Wells and Kristine Kvanli (ShopNBC), and many more. The theater community is a tight-knit, closely connected family. The recent Ordway production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," directed by Rocco, performed a two-week run in Tokyo, Japan that was cut short due to the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Many local Twin Cities' artists were in Tokyo during the tragic disaster performing as a part of that production.

Concert organizers and producers Momoko Tanno, Joel Liestman, Brian McCormick, Renee Prola and Rocco, all have a very special connection to Japan and the events that took place on March 11. Tanno is originally from Japan and much of her family still resides near Tokyo; and Liestman, McCormick, Prola and Rocco were a part of the company working on "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" here at the Ordway. Liestman and McCormick were in Tokyo at the time of the earthquake and tsunami.

"With so many local performers involved in ‘Joseph,' and others with family and friends living there, the ties to Japan run deep," agreed the producing team. "Once again, the Twin Cities' theater community and the Ordway are stepping up in a big way to offer time and talents to this night."

All donations will go to the American Red Cross. A suggested donation is $35. For tickets, visit the event website.

Performance and Ticket Information
"Twin Cities Theatre Artists for Japan: A Benefit Concert"
Monday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
McKnight Theatre
345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Suggested donation is $35
Box Office: 651.224.4222
For tickets: ordway.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TCTA-for-Japan/193842327320685
Twitter: @TCTAforJapan

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