Rockers on Broadway - Rocking Out and Raising Money for Broadway Cares

Taking place on Monday night May 3rd @ 8pm will be another installment of Rockers on Broadway at Arlene's Grocery, a benefit for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. BroadwayWorld.com checked in with Donnie Kehr (AIDA), and co-producer Sabrina Gordin to see how it all came together.

The idea for "Rockers on Broadway" came together back in 1993 when Donnie was appearing in TOMMY. "Pete Townshend wanted to put together a jam band" reminisced Donnie "so that everyone could feel what it was like to just be onstage singing rock & roll, raw, without rehearsal or preparation." Fast forwarding to a few months ago, Donnie released his first solo album "SHIFT" which had its release party at Arlene's Grocery. The launch party was so successful, that Donnie was invited to come back each month for a regular gig, which he only agreed to if it could be a benefit to raise some money along with the fun. "Then, after talking with some friends who all wanted to guest sing with me, I decided to bring back the ROCKERS idea so that all my friends could just get up and jam and have a great time - and it would all be for a good cause."

The original "Rockers" Concert which was held in 1993, consisted of Michael Cerveris, Alice Ripley, Sherie Renee Scott and Pete Townshend – quite the lineup. Last month, to start the new series they had Broadway regulars including Michael Cavanaugh, Will Chase, Felicia Finley, Sean Sullivan, Lori Ann Strunk, Schele Williams, Brandon Wardell, Walter O'Neil, and Doug Storm.

In addition to Donnie Kehr, May's concert will include Michael Cavanaugh (Movin' Out), Schele Williams (Aida), Lori Ann Strunk (Aida), Will Chase (Aida), Felicia Finley (Aida), Patrick Cassidy (Aida, 42nd Street), Tony Vincent (Rent, JCS), Walter O'Neil (Wicked), Michael Lanning (Civil War), Greg Reuter (Chicago), Brandon Wardell (Assassins), Jason Wooten (Footloose, Rocky Horror), Norbert Leo Butz (Wicked, Rent, Thou Shalt Not) and Mickey Dolenz.

All proceeds from the concerts go to Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS, a cause that everyone can get behind. "The cause is one that touches so many people, and rock & roll also touches so many people." explained Lori Ann Strunk, as to why she was taking part. "It's a good way to bring in a bit of a different crowd, who may not normally get to see us perform or go to a benefit for BCEFA - it ties the two worlds together."

The appeal for Broadway performers that are participating in these concerts is the chance to break type and flex their vocal muscles on songs that they don't normally get to sing. Brandon Wardell, now appearing in Assassins noted "that the only time he gets to sing rock songs is in the occasional audition but now I get to actually do it for a great cause... What could be better?"

The next Rockers on Broadway concert will take place on May 3rd at Arlene's Grocery 95 Stanton St. NYC. Tickets are $20 and for more information, you can visit http://www.donniekehr.com or email sabrina@donniekehr.com. All tickets are available at the door the day of the performance. Future concerts will be taking place once a month on Monday nights.