Singing From the Heart for South Africa

The Box has become New York's trendiest night spot with its nightly menu of food, drink and bottomless burlesque. It has also, conversely, become host to charity events in the hours before the club transforms at 11PM and the trannies, burlesque mammas and naked dancing boys throw caution and everything else to the wind.

On tax day, April 15, 2010, The Box was host to "Cocktails for a Cause," a cocktail party and musical show benefiting Broadway in South Africa, a non-profit organization that brings Broadway artists to South Africa to work with children whose lives have been affected by poverty and AIDS.

Here is a quote from the press release about the evening: "Broadway in South Africa is a non-profit organization that aims to develop a cross-cultural exchange between youth who are in need and artists who seek to use their talents for change. BSA conducts workshops at schools, orphanages and child crisis centers in
townships around Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, South Africa. Many of the sites are funded by Keep A Child Alive (KACA), a charitable organization co-
founded by singer-songwriter-actress Alicia Keys, that provides medication for children and their families living with HIV/AIDS. A portion of the proceeds from BSA’s fundraising efforts in South Africa went directly to KACA."

The Cocktail event was hosted by Frankie James Grande of Mamma Mia fame. Frankie and his friend, Adam Kantor, attended Northwestern University together and then moved to New York where Adam was cast in Rent and Frankie in Mamma. Adam and Frankie took a trip to South Africa and while there, saw the townships and were inspired to help.

During the first part of the evening's entertainment, we were shown a short film that showcased the work that Broadway in South Africa does with the children in the townships. Then it was on to the entertainment.

Here is a list of the triple-threat performers who entertained the audience: Tiffany; Adam Kantor (Rent); Sean Bradford (The Lion King); Tracy McDowell (Rent); Carly Gibson (Hairspray); Lili Cooper (Spring Awakening); musician and composer, Jonathan Schonfeld; comedy sensation Miranda Sings; an original dance piece choreographed by Shea Sullivan and performed by Tommy Scrivens and Lauren Strigari; and singer/songwriter Katie Thompson. Also performing were some of the box performers but by Box publicity philosophy, will remain anonymous. You will have to be BeBoxed to see them.

The entertainers were incredibly talented (they all survived Broadway auditions) and they rocked the theater with their performances. So if you hear that Broadway in South Africa is hosting another benefit, be sure to check it out.

For more information, visit www.broadwayinsouthafrica.org

Carly Jibson

Lili Cooper