Adam Kantor Replaces Hunter Parrish in DRIFT Benefit Concert

Adam Kantor, who made his Broadway debut as the final Mark in Rent, will replace Hunter Parrish in the all-star benefit concert performance of DRIFT with music and lyrics by Jeremy Schonfeld.  Directed by Lauren Kennedy (Vanities), the event will also star Adam Pascal (Rent), Jarrod Emick (Tony Award winner: Damn Yankees), Julia Murney (Wicked), Kris Coleman (Jersey Boys), Karla Mosley  (Expatriate) and Terrence Mann (two time Tony Award nominee: Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables), and feature Scott Coulter and Michelle Kinney.

Kantor, a Great Neck, Long Island native, was a recent Northwestern graduate when he made his Broadway bow this spring in Rent; at Northwestern, he played Posthumus in Cymbeline (directed by Mary Zimmerman) and Todd in In the Bubble (directed by Michael Greif). Mr. Parrish had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts with Spring Awakening, in which he appears.

Produced by the PATH Fund, Inc. (“Rockers on Broadway”), the evening benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Atlanta’s Broadway Dreams Foundation will take place on Monday, November 3, 2008 at 8:00pm at BB King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd Street. Tickets are $60, with standing room available at $30.

With a pulsing rock score from acclaimed composer Jeremy Schonfeld, DRIFT weaves raw and gracefully honest songs together to tell the story of one man’s divorce and reconciliation.  Originally released as a concept recording by Sh-K-Boom Records, a book musical version of DRIFT (with collaborator Craig Pospisil) premiered at the 2005 New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF), and was subsequently produced in an award-winning full-scale production as part of the 2006 Festival.

Hailed by The New York Times as a blend of Jonathan Larson and Billy Joel, Schonfeld's singular blend of tuneful pop, hard-edged rock, gospel, soul and blues has made him one of today's most sought after musical theater composers. 

The PATH Fund, Inc. (Performing Artists That Help) was formed as a result of the success of Rockers on Broadway and aims to give artists of all kinds an avenue to share their unique talents while helping raise money for charities that benefit the arts and entertainment communities that inspire their livelihood.

All proceeds will go to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Dreams Foundation.  Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS gives assistance nationwide to persons living with HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer (www.broadwaycares.org). The Broadway Dreams Foundation’s mission is to brighten the future of young talent.  Through their programs, they bring young performers closer to their Broadway dreams, regardless of financial status.  BDF believes that dramatic arts, fun and education must work hand-in-hand to cultivate young minds.

Photo by Pablo Pimienta