Benanti, Cahoon, Colella, Etc. Set for Bway Loves the 80s

Casting has been announced for "Broadway Loves the 80's," a concert featuring favorite Broadway stars singing their favorite hits of that colorful decade.

"Broadway Loves the 80's" will take place on Wednesday, June 13th at 11:30PM at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY. The cast will feature Laura Benanti (The Wedding Singer), Kevin Cahoon (The Wedding Singer), Jennifer Colella (High Fidelity), Max Von Essen (Les Miserables), Lin-Manuel Miranda (In The Heights, Freestyle Love Supreme), Steven Pasquale (FX's "Rescue Me"), and The Broadway Boys, Jesse Nager (Mary Poppins), Telly Leung (Rent), Tyler Maynard (Mary Poppins), Peter Matthew Smith (Hairspray), Daniel Calvert (Rent), and Michael James Scott (The Pirate Queen). Also performing will be Ellen Foley (Into The Woods, Me and My Girl) who is best known as Meatloaf's partner on his hit, "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." Other performers will be announced at a later date.  The show is directed by Jamie McGonnigal (World AIDS Day concerts) and presented by McGonnigal and Joe's Pub.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the United Nations Association HERO Campaign. This summer, New York Producer/Director, Jamie McGonnigal will be traveling to South Africa and Namibia representing the United Nations Association's HERO Campaign. McGonnigal will be part of a select team of individuals supervising 20 Youth Ambassadors from high schools and colleges around the U.S., as they rebuild schools and dormitories in rural AIDS-affected areas of Africa. Donations in support of HERO's efforts can be made at http://heroyouthambassadors.kintera.org/jamiemcg

"HERO: A UNA-USA Campaign is an awareness-building and fundraising initiative dedicated to helping support children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This new initiative, in partnership with USAID (United States Agency for International Development), strives to better the lives of children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS by providing comprehensive, holistic school-based support," state press materials. For more information, please visit www.heroaction.org.

All seats for Broadway Loves the 80's are $25. Tickets available at The Public Theater box office or through Telecharge: www.telecharge.com or 212.239.6200.

Photo of Kevin Cahoon by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.