Hello Beautiful People,
I first participated in The Vagina Monologues in college.
It was one of the first times I had felt such…community…love…and support from a group of people all at once. It made my heart happy. It eased some scars that I had kept covered for way too long.
And then, a couple of years later, I met the beautiful Andrea Bertola Shaw, and joined her in the production of The Vagina Monologues at HERE Arts Center, the first place the show was workshopped. And then the beautiful Andrea got engaged to the dapper Steven Shaw — and The Vagina Monolgues had to take a break, cause, let’s be real, wedding planning is quite consuming.
And I thought to myself — what can I do to give back to V-Day? How can I use the skills that I have, and the talents that I know to make this world a bit better? And so, I emailed my dear friend Jennifer Ashley Tepper with my idea.
JEN! I said. I want to do a concert featuring musical theatre love songs, and I want to donate a portion of the proceeds to VDAY, and I’d like to do it at 54 Below.
And because she is the great champion of new work, new ideas, and the great cannon of musical theatre – she opened the door to 54.
And now, a year later, we’re gearing up for Volume 2 of LOVE SONGS for VDAY at 54 Below – and I couldn’t be more excited.
This year’s concert feels particularly special. I don’t know if it’s the music, (it’s a different set list from last year), or the fact that it’s an all lady cast – but these women, oh goodness they’re just fantastic. They’re brilliant singers, but they’re beautiful people, too.
Inside and out.
It’s the type of cast that every director and producer dreams of — the type of talent that every composer and writer wants performing their work.
So do come out to 54 Below on Valentine’s Day – for songs of love, (and some of heartbreak). There’s songs of love between, well, lovers, best friends, sisters — you name it, it’s there.
And just in case you missed the memo, the cast features these beauties: Loni Ackerman (Evita, Cats), Lauren Elder (Side Show, Hair), Kerri George, Melissa Rose Hirsch (The Bad Years), Jessica Kahkoska (Miles and Me), Hannah Kloepfer (Driving with Idiots), Happy McPartlin (Hands on a Hardbody), Marisa Miller (Wicked Nat’l Tour), Ashley Moniz (Sister Act Nat’l Tour), Jessica Mortellaro, Olivia Polci, Monet Sabel, Abigail Shapiro (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Milly Shapiro (Matilda), Emily Tyra (Flesh and Bone, Nice Work If You Can Get It), and Stephanie Turci. AND, the music direction is led by Nat Zegree, with TJay Kowalchuck on guitar and Dave LeBlanc on percussion.
SUPERB!
Tickets are available by clicking right here.
And I do hope to see you there, (as does the rest of the cast!)
Live, Love, Learn,