Recapping Broadway Sings for Pride Winter Concert
Guest Post by Otto Coca
On Monday, December 5, the Center hosted a very special holiday event. It was the Broadway Sings for Pride Winter Concert; an evening filled with fabulous music and performances with the emphasis on pride and holiday cheer. Hosted by the irrepressible Marissa Rosen, star of My Big Gay Italian Wedding and the dashing Raphael Miranda, NBC New York’s weekend meteorologist, the evening was an important fundraiser for the Center and a major success.
Before the doors opened, guests enjoyed cocktails in the reception area and browsed a Broadway-themed silent auction featuring signed playbills and window cards from top shows.
Inside, the set may have been minimal, but green and red projections kept the stage animated as the evening’s talent performed songs befitting the season in addition to songs that spoke to the theme of pride and love.
The third floor auditorium was packed as Raphael Miranda and Russell Fischer of Broadway’s Jersey Boys performed a charming Winter Medley while ‘snowclouds’ danced and sang around them. While Miranda played the strong silent type, Fischer, with his full, soulful voice, filled the room and got the evening off to a great start.
With such a full line-up, acts took to the stage in rapid succession and had time for only one or two songs before turning the stage over to the next eager performer. The performers camaraderie and enthusiasm was infectious and the audience greeted each act with huge rounds of applause.
Some highlights were Adam Pascal, the Tony-nominated star of Rent and other Broadway shows; Terri White spent her evening off from Follies to be part of the festivities; singer-songwriter Emily Kinney of Spring Awakening gave the crowd a dose of adorable with quirky selections from her recent album, Blue Toothbrush.
Lesser known performers gave their all: Katie Thompson and her ‘tween guest vocalist, Julia Riglioso, had the audience in hysterics with their I like Christmas for the Food and Amy Toporek raised the roof with her amazing voice and natural stage presence. Each of the evening’s performances earned the audience’s praise, not only from talent but also for simply being part of this wonderful evening.