Photo Coverage: 'THE LEADING MEN IV' Benefit Concert at Birdland
By: Linda Lenzi May. 13, 2009
"The Leading Men IV,' a benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, was held Monday, May 11, at 7pm at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St. As part of the long-running Broadway at Birdland series, it featured top singers from Broadway and cabaret. John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Shrek The Musical) once again hosted, and Emmy-nominated writer, host and comic Seth Rudetsky returned as musical director, along with director Alan Muraoka (NAATCO's Falsettoland).
"The Leading Men IV" concert series is produced by Wayman Wong, who edits entertainment for the New York Daily News. He originated and wrote 'The Leading Men" column for Playbill from 2003-2006. Since 2005, the "Leading Men' concerts have raised thousands of dollars for Broadway Cares, and alumni from the three previous soldout shows include: Matt Cavenaugh, Cheyenne Jackson, Aaron Lazar, Matthew Morrison, Hugh Panaro, Daniel Reichard, Jai Rodriguez and Christopher Sieber.
Monday night's concert also set a record as the highest-grossing 'Leading Men' benefit ever (over $2,000 more than last year). It raised $10,100 in ticket sales and another $1,000 in autographed posters and contributions.
Song List:
Tony Yazbeck: "Marry Me a Little" ("Company") by Stephen SondheimMichael Kadin Craig: "More" by Michael Patrick WalkerNicholas Rodriguez: "Just in Time" ("Bells Are Ringing") by Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jule StyneTom Andersen: "Let It Be Me" by Gilbert Becaud, MAnn Curtis and Pierre DelanoeTom Postilio and Mickey Conlon: "Me and My Shadow" by Billy Rose, Al Jolson and Dave DreyerJonathan Groff: "The Sound of Music" medley by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard RodgersZak Resnick: "The Streets of Dublin" ("A Man of No Importance") by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen FlahertyCody Green: "The Best Is Yet to Come" by Carolyn Leigh and Cy ColemanKevin Earley: "This Nearly Was Mine" ("South Pacific") by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers
The Broadway at Birdland series is presented by Jim Caruso's Cast Party, an open mic/variety show, which follows each concert.
Photos by Linda Lenzi
John Tartaglia (Host)
Wayman Wong (Producer)
John Tartaglia, Jonathan Groff and Nick Adams
Michael Kadin Craig, Jim Caruso and Zak Resnick
James Barbour and Paolo Montalban
Tom Andersen and Jack Donahue
Graham Phillips and Nicholas Rodriguez
Tom Andersen, Graham Phillips, Nick Adams and John Tartaglia
Cody Green and Nick Adams
Tom Andersen, Jonathan Groff, Cody Green and John Tartaglia
Tom Andersen, Tom Postilio and Jack Donahue
Jonathan Groff and Paolo Montalban
Jonathan Groff, Yolanda Culler and Nick Adams
John Tartaglia, Jonathan Groff, Nick Adams and Cody Green
John Tartaglia, Jonathan Groff, Nick Adams and Paolo Montalban
John Tartaglia, Jonathan Groff, Nick Adams, Alix Caps (Stage Manager) and Paolo Montalban
Norm Lewis, Nick Adams, Cody Green and Paolo Montalban
Mickey Conlon and Tom Postilio
Graham Phillips and Wayman Wong
Zak Resnick, Nick Adams and Michael Kadin Craig
Kevin Earley and James Barbour
Graham Phillips and Ariana Grande
John Tartaglia, Seth Rudetsky (Musical Director) and Alan Muraoka (Director)
Henry Hodges, Ariana Grande, Graham Phillips
Henry Hodges, Ariana Grande, Graham Phillips and John Tartaglia
Nick Adams and Michael Kadin Craig
Henry Hodges, Seth Rudetsky and Jonathan Groff
Daniel Seth (Assistant Stage Manager) and Michael Kadin Craig
Henry Hodges and Jonathan Groff
Tom Postilio, Tom Andersen and Mickey Conlon
Seth Rudetsky, Tom Postilio, Jonathan Groff and Mickey Conlon
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