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‘The Phantom of the Opera’ cast raises nearly $5,000 for nonprofits
Photo by John Moore.
One-night only event helps Denver Actors Fund, Broadway Cares at Hard Rock Cafe
Cast members from the national touring production of The Phantom of the Opera presented a one-night-only concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical Company on November 11 at the Hard Rock Cafe Denver, raising nearly $5,000 to be split between two non-profits dedicated to improving the lives of actors in medical need: The Denver Actors Fund and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The evening included auction items and signed posters from The Phantom of the Opera for purchase. It was directed by The Phantom of the Opera Resident Director Max Quinlan.
Stephen Sondheim’s seminal 1970 musical is a series of vignettes that tell the story of a New York bachelor named Bobby who learns about the perils and pleasures of love, marriage, dating and divorce from his married friends. The score includes the beloved songs “Being Alive,” “Getting Married Today” and “The Ladies Who Lunch.” The original production, directed by Harold Prince, was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical. Next year, a new interpretation of the show will bow in New York with a female “Bobbie.”
It’s worth noting that The Phantom of the Opera cast members performed the benefit concert of Company on their only scheduled day off during their two-week run of Phantom in Denver. Starring as Bobby was Travis Traylor, a 2009 alum of the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, a venerable summer repertory theatre company in Grand Lake, 100 miles northwest of Denver.
In six years, The Denver Actors Fund has distributed more than $446,000 to help Colorado theatre artists with medical bills, medical supplies and more. In addition, a team of 75 volunteers have donated more than 500 hours of practical service to artists in need, including meal preparation and delivery, transportation, child care, pet-sitting, snow-shoveling, personal company and more. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supports individuals affected by critical health issues, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS.
Photo coverage of Company:
Go to our complete photo gallery from the special Company concert
Cast:
- Bobby: Travis Taylor
- Sarah: Leah Jennings
- Harry: David Foley Jr.
- Peter: Mark Emerson
- Susan: Amanda Stuart
- Jenny: Jenna Burns
- David: Edward Juvier
- Amy: Siri Howard
- Paul: Stephen Mitchell Brown
- Joanne: Jill Van Velzer
- Larry: Dan Debenport
- April: Tara Sweeney
- Marta: Daniella Dalli
- Kathy: Emma Grimsley
