Photo Flash: FRANK WILDHORN & FRIENDS Raises Thousands for Actors Fund at Pantages Theatre

Frank Wildhorn returned to his roots at the Pantages Theatre, where he got his start in the lobby of the Pantages and played to a group that included J. Nederlander "on a completely out of tune piano," with the most recent Actors Fund's Musical Monday installment entitled Frank Wildhorn & FRIENDS. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

"I'm thinking that the Actors Fund is really onto something here with this lobby series concept. I can see taking it on the road," said Mr. Wildhorn.

In 1999, Wildhorn became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde, which received four Tony nominations; The Scarlet Pimpernel, which received three Tony nominations; and The Civil War, which received two Tony nominations. Wildhorn's works span the worlds of popular, theatrical, and classical music. His shows have included Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War, Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, and Bonnie & Clyde, and he has written popular songs for major stars.

For Frank Wildhorn & FRIENDS, directed by John Bowab and produced by Martin Wiviott included an amazing roster of special guest performers including Deborah Cox, Janet Dacal, Lisa Datz, Carly Robyn Green, Sam Harris, Clint Holmes, Tracy Miller and Teal Wicks. Accompanying Mr. Wildhorn for the program were Richard Mitchell (Sax), Dan Lutz (Bass) and Chris Jago (Drums), as they offered patrons an eclectic repertoire of Wildhorn hits including Havana, It's No Secret, I'll Forget You, Big Time, Mad Hatter, Where Do Broken Hearts Go, In This Moment, which Wildhorn recalled "Producers wanted to kick it out of the show," and so much more. A particular highlight during the evening was a rendition of Bring On The Men, sung by Sam Harris, who quipped "This may never be done again."

THE ACTORS FUND is a national human services organization that helps everyone-performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands on line. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has-for nearly 130 years-been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. For more information, visit www.actorsfund.org.

Photo Credits: Scott Appel

Frank Wildhorn

Deborah Cox sings "Someone Like You"

Lisa Datz sings "Big Time"

Carly Robyn Green sings "I Don't Remember"

Teal Wicks sings "I'll Forget You"

Tracey Miller sings "One Bad Habit"

Sam Harris sings "Bring On The Men"

Janet Dacal sings "Finding Wonderland"

Janet Dacal and Clint Holmes sing "Havana"

Audience Standing Ovation

CAST: Tracy Miller, Carly Robyn Green, Lisa Datz, Sam Harris, Frank Wildhorn, Deborah Cox, Clint Holmes, Janet Dacal, Teal Wicks.

Keith McNutt, Tracy Miller, Carly Robyn Green, Lisa Datz, Kate Linder, Sam Harris, Sharon Lawrence, John Bowab, Frank Wildhorn, Martin Wiviott, Judy Tenuta, Deborah Cox, Dee Wallace, Clint Holmes, Janet Dacal, Teal Wicks.

John Bowab, Frank Wildhorn and Martin Wiviott

Frank Wildhorn and Ilene Graff

Dee Wallace, Frank Wildhorn, Deborah Cox, Keith McNutt (AF Director-Western Region) and Kate Linder

MerEdith Scott Lynn, Keith McNutt, Sharon Lawrence, and Judy Tenuta

Actors Fund's Western Region Director, Keith McNutt, with Western Council members Jane A. Jonston, Barbara Allyne Bennet and Ilene Graff