Kitt, Sheik, Doyle & More Join 'After The Storm' Benefit At Joe's Pub 8/31

Randy Redd presents We Are The Song: After The Storm, an extraordinary night of new music to benefit The North Rampart Community Center and to celebrate the work that began in New Orleans...After The Storm. We Are The Song: After The Storm will be presented at Joe's Pub on Monday, August 31st at 7 PM.

We Are The Song: After the Storm was created by Randy Redd, who appears in the film AFTER THE STORM. The event will feature songs and performances by songwriters Duncan Sheik, Tom Kitt, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Chris Miller, Jenny Giering and Sean Barry, Rob Rokicki, Wesley Whatley, Bill Schermerhorn and Doug Katsaros, Craig Fols and Fred Thaler, Michael Cooper and Hyeyoung Kim, Michael Walker and Kyle Ewalt, Kevin Hammonds, Barbara Anselmi, Ken Clifton, singers Rachel Bay Jones (Showfolk), Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie), Ali Stroker, Aaron Simon Gross (13), Anderson Davis, Cole Burden, Jeremy Hays (Les Miserables), Rashidra Scott (Avenue Q), Julie Foldesi (South Pacific, Little Women), Robin Skye (Parade, Cyrano), Randy Redd and others. The title of this concert event is taken from the new song written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty for the film. Musical Director Aaron Jodoin will lead a seven-piece band. Additional performers will be announced shortly.

Almost three years ago, on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Redd went to New Orleans with Academy Award-winning writer James Lecesne, actor and director Gerry McIntyre and filmmaker Hilla Medalia (TO DIE IN JERUSALEM). With the help of countless dedicated friends and generous artists in New York and the resilient people of New Orleans the team reopened the St. Mark's Community Center and staged Lynn Ahren's and Stephen Flaherty's musical Once On This Island with local students, musicians and young artists.

AFTER THE STORM is the feature-length documentary film that follows the production of the musical Once On This Island at St. Mark's from auditions through performances and also includes the story of each young actor's life in the wake of Katrina. The focus is not on rescues, evacuations and losses, but on survival, hopes and dreams. The film opened the LA Film Festival in July and will premiere in New York on October 5th.

The film explores the cultural landscape of New Orleans as seen through the eyes of these teenage artists. The goal of the film is to create an emotional and entertaining storytelling experience that celebrates the spirit and culture of New Orleans at a specific point in history. AFTER THE STORM depicts a unique American city and how it is beginning to piece itself back together. The film also explores how art can be used as a tool for healing and growth and the power a community wields by sharing its story, locally and beyond. Filmmaker Hilla Medalia explores the young actors' daily lives, how they are coping with a struggling school system, limited job opportunities and the loss of family members and friends. Through their eyes, the film's audiences can view the recent history of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina's impact through the lens of a group of talented young people.

The After the Storm Foundation was established to offer assistance and support not only to North Rampart Street Community Center (formerly St. Mark's Community Center) but also to other already existing relief organizations currently serving the youth of New Orleans. The first step in the foundation's creation was the formation of a life-to-life link between the New York music, theater and film community and North Rampart Street Community Center. By getting to know its people and programs, the foundation is better able to assist community center staff members in setting up new opportunities for youth and buoying up already existing programs -- by providing the needed funds and offering technical and moral support. By creating ties to local arts organizations, the foundation also intends to leave behind the means and personnel to keep music and theater training programs going and to set up video and film archiving capabilities so that the kids can continue to tell their own stories.

Tickets are priced at $20 and may be purchased by calling 212-967-7555, online at joespub.com, in person at the Public Theater Box Office (1 PM to 6 PM), or at the Joe's Pub Box Office from (6 PM to 10 PM) both located at 425 Lafayette Street, NYC.

For table reservations please call 212-539-8778. Purchase of tickets does NOT guarantee a table reservation; you must call to reserve seats. Seating, as well as standing-room, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Two drink or $12 food minimum per person is standard.

Visit www.afterthestormfoundation.org for more information.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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