Benanti, Jackson, Etc. Star in Pasek & Paul Concert, 5/14

By: May. 01, 2006
CHEYENNE JACKSON
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On Sunday, May 14th, Become, a one-night-only showcase of music by up-and-coming writers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, will be presented. The Joe's Pub concert, originally scheduled only for 7:30 PM, sold out in just three days of ticket sales. A second performance has been added for later that evening at 9:30 PM.

Presented by Jamie McGonnigal (The Secret Garden, Pippin, Children of Eden concerts), "the evening will feature some of Broadway's best, performing the music of some of musical theatre's most promising new songwriters," according to press notes.

Performers scheduled to appear include Laura Benanti (two-time Tony nominee, The Wedding Singer), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Tony Award-Nominee for …Spelling Bee), Todd Buonopane (…Spelling Bee), Megan Hilty (Wicked), Cheyenne Jackson (United 93, All Shook Up), Chelsea Krombach (Wicked Nat'l Tour), Brandi Chavonne Massey (Wicked), Steven Pasquale (FX's "Rescue Me," Man of No Importance), and Billy Porter ("At the Corner of Broadway and Soul"). Also featured in the performance will be Whitney Bashor, Nick Blaemire, Anderson Davis, and Rebecca Soler. The concert will feature music direction by Jonah Speidel (Natalie Joy Johnson at Joe's Pub).

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are rapidly emerging as a new songwriting team with a fresh voice in contemporary musical theatre. Collaborating since their freshman year, Pasek and Paul are Musical Theatre majors at the University of Michigan. In the spring of 2005, the team premiered a revue of their work entitled Edges. Originally billed as a one-night event at the University of Michigan, the material was enthusiastically received, spurring performances in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Connecticut, and New York City in venues such as The Kimmel Center and the June Havoc Theatre. Edges has since been performed over 20 times across the country, produced at various locations including The Boston Conservatory, Carnegie Mellon University, and New York University, with upcoming debuts at the Universities of Virginia and Miami. Currently, Pasek and Paul are collaborating with Lonely Sky Theatre Company in New York City to a produce a workshop and a full-length production, slated for the summer of 2006.

Professional productions of Edges are also planned with Chicago's American Musical Theatre Project in conjunction with Northwestern University, and with theatres in Washington, D.C., Michigan and Ohio. Songs by Pasek and Paul have been featured in numerous concerts, showcases and cabarets and they are currently working on a new book musical. Sheet music and a professional recording by the original cast of Edges can be purchased though the team's website, www.pasekandpaul.com.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening's concert will benefit Wylie's Day Foundation. Wylie's Day Foundation provides funding for research towards a cure of Pediatric Brain Tumors so that one day, no child need suffer from such a difficult journey. WDF also funds programs such as Ronald McDonald House and other organizations which improve the day-to-day life of suffering children from less-fortunate backgrounds.

All seats are $20. Tickets may be purchased through Joe's Pub at 212-539-8778. Tickets are also available at The Public Theater box office or through Telecharge: www.telecharge.com or 212.239.6200.

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