Broadway Comes Together At The Gershwin To Benefit Autism Speaks

Back for its 3rd consecutive year, Arts for Autism, a benefit concert to raise money and awareness for Autism Speaks, will take place at 7:30 on June 25th at the prestigious Gershwin Theatre. The biggest names of Broadway join performing arts students from across the country to use the power of musical theatre to promote inclusion, understanding, and community. After raising $81,000 in its first two years, Educational Travel Adventures and Believe NYC are thrilled to announce this year's show will be bigger than ever, hosted by Hamilton superstar Chris Jackson, who himself is a parent of a son with autism. Artistic Director of the show Jacque Carnahan seeks to illuminate the profound power of music. Music not only entertains us, it heals us.

Broadway performers are available for interview prior to the show at 7:00pm. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Jessica Burns at Jburns@etadventures.com.

Full Broadway Lineup:

Tony Award nominee Christopher Jackson / Hamilton

Tony Award nominee Christine Andreas / Oklahoma!

Tony Award nominee Max von Essen / An American in Paris

Denée Benton / Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

Mckynleigh Abraham / Beautiful, The Carole King Musical

Jacque Carnahan/ A Child's Christmas in Wales

John Michael Dias / Jersey Boys

Alia Hodge / Beautiful, Carole King the Musical

Traci Elaine Lee / Beautiful, Carole King the Musical

Kelvin Moon Loh / SpongeBobSquarepants

Carrie St. Louis / Wiked

John Eric Parker / The Book of Mormon

Tess Soltau / Wicked

Brynn Williams / SpongeBob SquarePants

Lauren Zakrin / Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

Ixchel Cuellar / Finding Neverland

Dean deLuna / West Side Story

Tyler John Logan / West Side Stoty

Antuan Magic Raimone / Hamilton

Mindy Wallace / Bandstand

Sarah Kay Marchetti / The Metropolitan Opera

Brian Brammer / The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Taylor Broadard / Memphis

Hannah DelMonte / Fiddler of the Roof

Jillian Jameson / The Sound of Music

Brittany Jeffery / Me and My Gal

Jayson Kerr / Evita

Jennifer Lorae / Hard Times

DeMond Nason / Walmartopia

Paul Pilcz / Bye Bye Birdie

Danielle Erin Rhodes / Les Misérables

Eric can Tielen / Les Misérables

No one better understands the healing power of music than the concert's opening act: Jodie DiPiazza. Diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Jodi was told she might never speak. Then she discovered music. For Jodi DiPiazza, music not only helped her find her voice, it helped her amplify it. At the young age of 16, Jodi is not only an acclaimed musician, she has already used her artistry to become an activist. At the age of 11, she became an internet sensation, performing a duet with her idol, Katy Perry, on "The Night of Too Many Stars," helping to raise over four million dollars for Autism Speaks. Spreading hope and joy to countless parents, siblings, and children with autism, Jodi has already proven how powerful her voice can be. And she's just getting started. As her father said, "I have taken off the idea that there's some limit on her. Because she continually proves that that's not true." Jodi will make her Broadway debut at Arts for Autism alongside Anastasia's Max von Essen, using her powerful voice to spread a message of advocacy and inspiration to a packed house.

Sharing the spotlight with Jodi will be Miriam Steinberg. Unlike Jodi, Miriam received her autism diagnosis at an older age. For years, she had trouble connecting to others and felt...different. She, too, found the healing power of music when she joined in her 2nd grade production of Annie. For Miriam, music was the perfect vessel to connect with others. Like Jodi, she is paying her gifts forward. She now sings at assisted living facilities and fundraisers. For Miriam, music is a refuge, a haven where differences aren't silenced, they're celebrated.

This year's benefit is dedicated to siblings of children on the autism spectrum. As the Autism Speaks website teaches, "Being a sibling to someone with autism is a unique experience that can be difficult for other people to understand." At this year's concert, we will gain new insights via Tommy Byrne and Isabella Guerriero who are performing their original song "Unstoppable" written for Isabella's brother, Anthony, who is on the autism spectrum. Tommy and Isabella have also found music as a way to express and connect with others when words alone seem to fall short.

ETA and Believe NYC hope you will join Jodi, Miriam, Tommy, Isabella, and other powerful activists as they share the stage with Broadway stars on June 25th in a memorable night of song and dance. 100% of ticket sale proceeds are donated to Autism Speaks. Lend your ears to the music makers and to the dreamers of dreams.

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at www.artsforautism.net.

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