Engeman Theatre Aims To Raise $50,000 For AIDS Care With Their Production Of RENT
In an ongoing effort to help raise funds for community organizations, the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport has announced it has set a goal to raise $50,000 for AIDS care on Long Island during the Long Island Professional Premiere of the award winning Broadway hit RENT playing September 10 - November 1, 2009.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Four Tony Awards, a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Six Drama Desk Awards, Three Obie Awards and a Drama League Award, RENT is the groundbreaking theater experience that has transformed a generation of theater-goers. Set in New York City's gritty East Village, this revolutionary rock musical is an imaginative retelling of the classic Puccini opera, LA BOHEME. This unforgettable story of a group of starving artists, who despite poverty and illness, learn to fall in love and find their voices, brings a universal message of hope for everyone.A portion of every ticket sold during the production of RENT at the John W. Engeman Theater will go to benefit two organizations that provide exemplary AIDS care to Long Islanders: The Long Island Association for AIDS Care, Inc. (LIAAC), and Thursday's Child.
The Long Island Association for AIDS Care, Inc., (LIAAC) is a full-scale community-based HIV/AIDS organization providing direct client services, prevention education and HIV/Hepatitis C testing to all Long Island residents. Programs offered include case management, client advocacy, a bilingual hotline, community education, and legal services. The central focus of service delivery is a mobile-based outreach network that provides HIV and Hepatitis C testing and counseling, as well as emergency food delivery.
"LIAAC is proud to be a recipient of Northport's John W. Engeman Theater's benefit for HIV/AIDS services on Long Island," says the President and CEO of LIAAC Dr. Gail Barouh, "The commitment of a local business working in partnership with Long Island charities is to be commended for community leadership. In these difficult economic times, these types of collaborative ventures help ensure the survival of vital social service programs"
The second beneficiary, Thursday's Child was founded in 1989 when members of Long Island ACT-UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, met Ms Sharon 'Didi' Kelley of Westhampton Beach. Didi named Thursday's Child to speak to the hope and promise of a better tomorrow during the darkest days of AIDS ravaging our community.
Thursday's Child remains committed to serving Long Islanders Living with HIV/AIDS; programs include independent, supportive housing; emergency financial assistance for food, clothing, and warmth; and their Safety Net Project which supports families in need.
Program Manager, Gregory L Noone says the John W. Engeman Theater's production of RENT "...truly contains the raw emotions we all felt 20 years ago; "please see RENT this autumn and support the essential, humane services provided by Thursday's Child to our neighbors in need who are living with HIV/AIDS across Long Island."
Tickets for RENT are on sale now and are $60. A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit LIAAC and Thursday's Child. Tickets may be purchased by calling (631) 261-2900, by visiting www.engemantheater.com , or at the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport NY. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted.
The John W. Engeman Theater is Long Island's only year round professional theater company, utilizing actors from the Broadway union - Actors' Equity Association. Shows are performed year round in the heart of Northport village amidst a scene of elegant restaurants and beautiful boutiques. The newly renovated Theater offers stadium-style seating, a full orchestra pit, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and a classic wood-paneled piano lounge with full bar.
Now playing is the Tony Award Winning Gershwin Musical CRAZY FOR YOU which plays from June 25 - August 16, 2009.
For more information contact the theater directly at 631-261-2900, visit the box office at 250 Main Street, Northport or visit www.EngemanTheater.com . For more information about LIAAC visit www.LIAAC.org , and for information about Thursday's Child visit www.THURSDAYSCHILDOFLI.org .
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