ADA & Hot Feet Join for American Diabetes Week Fundraiser

Hot Feet, in association with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), will present the week-long charity fundraiser titled, "American Diabetes Week On Broadway With Hot Feet," scheduled for Thursday, June 22 through Thursday, June 29, 2006 at the Hilton Theatre, located at 213 West 42nd Street in the heart of New York City's Times Square.

The producers of the Broadway dance musical are partnering with the American Diabetes Association to help make a significant difference in the fight against diabetes by raising much needed dollars to support the research and education programs of the ADA. The statistics are staggering: 20.8 million children and adults are living with diabetes in this country. Because there are often no symptoms, nearly one third of them -- 6.2 million people -- are not even aware they have diabetes. In fact, if present trends continue, one in three Americans and one in two minorities born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

A recent four-part series on diabetes in The New York Times notes that this disease has emerged as one of the biggest health problems menacing the New York City area. An estimated 800,000 adult New Yorkers -- more than one in eight -- now have diabetes, and according to city health officials, the problem is reaching epidemic proportions. "We're thrilled to be working with Hot Feet not only to raise money for the ADA's all important efforts in research and education, but also to increase awareness about this health crisis," said David Scott, III, MD, president of the American Diabetes Association's New York City Leadership Council. "We need to raise consciousness among New Yorkers about diabetes and its risk factors to battle the disease and the fundraiser provides us with a great vehicle to do so." Diabetes is one of today's greatest worldwide health care challenges and is expected to directly affect 300 million people worldwide by 2025.

"The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts program in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching more than 800 communities. The mission of the organization is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To fulfill this mission, the ADA funds research, publishes scientific findings, provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals and the public, and advocates for scientific research and for the rights of people with diabetes," state press notes.

Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from each ticket purchased under the ADA code during June 22 through June 29 will go the American Diabetes Association.

Several media partners will be coming on board for this campaign. To date, WWRL-AM1600 has been confirmed.

Hot Feet opened on April 30th at the Hilton Theatre. The show is "a new dance musical created by the Tony-nominated Maurice Hines and Earth, Wind & Fire's very own, seven–time Grammy Award winner, Maurice White," according to press notes. Hot Feet features such EW&F hit as "After The Love Is Gone," "Boogie Wonderland," "Shining Star," and "September," in addition to six all-new original songs written by White for this production. The book was written by hip hop novelist and MTV Books scribe Heru Ptah.

"Hot Feet is a story about believing in ones dreams and ambitions. Hot Feet is told through a beautiful young, talented dancer, Kalimba whose ambition drives her to dance. The temptations of success take over and the price of ambition revealed. In a world were ambition and fate sometimes never meet, Hot Feet is a story of love, desire, and fate."

The cast features: Vivian Nixon as Kalimba, Keith David (Tony-nominee for Jelly's Last Jam, films includinh Crash, Barbershop) Ann Duquesnay (Tony-winner for Bring In Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk), Allen Hidalgo (Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman), Wynonna Smith (Broadway: Sophisticated Ladies, film: Houseguest, What's Love Got To Do With It?) , Michael Balderrama (Movin' Out, Urban Cowboy, Saturday Night Fever) and Samantha Pollino. The design team includes: James Noone (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Clifton Taylor (lights) and Acme Sound Partners (sound). Hot Feet is produced by Rudy Durand.

To purchase tickets for the "American Diabetes Week on Broadway with Hot Feet," please call ticketmaster at 212-307-4100 or order online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased directly at the Hilton Theatre box office. Tickets are available for purchase at every level (orchestra, front mezzanine, rear mezzanine, dress circle and balcony). Please use special code number JADA. All prices include a $1.25 theater facility fee.

To find out more information about the weeklong fundraiser, go to www.HotFeetTheMusical.com. For more detailed information about diabetes, go the American Diabetes Association website at www.diabetes.org.