Esparza, Butz, Rapp, Pascal, Morrison, Espinosa And Other Broadway Stars To Perform In 'Brilliant Mistake: Broadway Sings Elvis Costello'

By: Oct. 06, 2005
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Broadway stars come out to honor Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award -winning singer/songwriter Elvis Costello in "BRILLIANT MISTAKE: Broadway Sings Elvis Costello," a one-night-only concert on Monday, October 31st at John Jay  College's Gerald W. Lynch Theater (899 10th Avenue) in Manhattan.
 
Proceeds from the Halloween night concert benefit Friends In Deed, the crisis center for people with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends.

Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz (DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS), Justin Bond  of Kiki & Herb, Kevin Cahoon (ROCKY HORROR SHOW), comedian Mario Cantone (LAUGH WHORE), Gavin Creel (THROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE) , Alan Cumming (CABARET), Raul Esparza (CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG), Eden  Espinosa (BROOKLYN), 4-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, Matthew  Morrison (THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA), Adam Pascal (RENT), Billy Porter GHETTO SUPERSTAR), Anthony  Rapp (RENT), Molly Ringwald (CABARET), Sherie Rene Scott (DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS), Traci Thoms (film version RENT), Daphne Rubin-Vega (RENT) and Patrick Wilson (FULL MONTY) will join special guest Elvis Costello for a unique evening of song and celebration to benefit Friends In Deed.

Halloween costumes are welcome!

BRILLIANT MISTAKE -- which takes its name from the opening track of Costello's critically-acclaimed 1985 album "King of America" -- is produced by Tony Award-winng producer Jeffrey Seller (AVENUE Q, RENT), and directed by Jason Eagan with musical direction and arrangements by Tom Kitt.

Grammy Award-winner Elvis Costello's career spans more than 25 years. He is perhaps best-known for his performances with The Attractions, The imposters, and  for recent concert appearances with pianist Steve Nieve. He also has enjoyed acclaimed collaborations with Burt Bacharach, Paul McCartney, The Charles Mingus Orchestra, and T. Bone Burnett, among other artists.

In 2003, Elvis Costello and The Attractions were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. During that same year, he was awarded ASCAP's  prestigious Founder's Award and nominated for three Grammy awards for his album  "When I Was Cruel." He has received a Grammy for "I Still Have That Other Girl" from "Painted From Memory," his 1998 collaboration with Burt Bacharach; and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song for "The Scarlet Tide" from the film "Cold Mountain."

In addition to "King of America," Mr. Costello's other recordings  include "This Year's Model," "Imperial Bedroom," "Blood and Chocolate," "Spike," "Useless Beauty," "When I Was Cruel," and the single "God Give Me Strength" from the film "Grace of My Heart."

Fourteen years ago, Mike Nichols and Cynthia O'Neal founded Friends In Deed because of an urgent need. The twin epidemics of AIDS and cancer were aging, and doctors didn't have time for the emotional needs of their patients. Our premise is simple: no one should be ill without strong, loving, emotional and spiritual support. Today, Friends In Deed is a crisis center for anyone diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening physical illnesses; the caregivers, family and friends of those who are ill; and those dealing with grief and bereavement. Among the free services offered are support groups, one-on-one crisis counseling, bodywork, nutritional counseling, and outreach services to clients who are homebound or hospitalized. Friends In Deed also runs  life-saving HIV prevention workshops for at-risk teens in New York City Public  School, having already reached over 75,000 students.

Previous Friends In Deed fundraisers include the 10th Anniversary concerts of PASSION, INTO THE WOODS and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; an evening of short plays, SHORT TALKS ON THE UNIVERSE; Mike Nichols & Elaine May on Broadway; and Simon & Garfunkel Together Again on Broadway; plus major photography and dance events.

BRILLIANT MISTAKE begins at 8pm on Monday, October 31st at John Jay College's Gerald W. Lynch Theater (899 10th Avenue, between 58th and 59th  Streets).

Tickets to the concert range in price from $100-$250-$500.  (The $250 and $500 tickets include post-concert party.) To  purchase tickets. call, 1-800-996-5443 or visit http://www.friendsindeed.org.
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