Theater News

Getting the Benefits

Jennifer Hudson, Constantine Maroulis, Barrett Foa, Daniel Reichard, Marin Mazzie, Bebe Neuwirth, and Carolee Carmello are among the stars supporting this week’s worthy causes.

New York City

On Monday, October 16, the August Wilson Theater switched musical gears from Jersey Boys to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas for this year’s one-night-only concert to benefit The Actors’ Fund. During the after-party at John’s Pizzeria, Seth Rudetsky (center), the concert’s guiding light and musical director, was joined by stars Andrea McArdle and Barrett Foa.

Former American Idol contestants Jennifer Hudson (soon to hit the big screen as Effie in Dreamgirls) and Constantine Maroulis (currently starring in Broadway’s The Wedding Singer) were also in the star-studded Whorehouse cast.

So were Maroulis’ Wedding Singer co-star Felicia Finley and Spamalot star Harry Groener.

Jersey Boys‘ Daniel Reichard was also featured in the concert.

Plenty of celebrities came out to show their support for The Actors’ Fund, including the wonderful Sally Struthers, who’s heading out to Los Angeles next month to star in the Valley Musical Theatre’s production of Nuncrackers.

Here’s handsome Brandon Ruckdashel, who has earned rave reviews for his work in the recently extended Off-Broadway show Ascension.

Looking great as always: Broadway veteran and daytime drama diva Catherine Hickland.

That same evening, Theatreworks USA held its annual gala at the Rainbow Room. Soon-to-be Spamalot star Marin Mazzie and husband Jason Danieley were among the celebrities who performed.

Former Chicago star Ernie Sabella points out one of the evening’s honorees: Bebe Neuwirth, who won a 1997 Tony Award for her performance as Velma Kelly in Chicago and is set to play the role of Roxie Hart on Broadway for three months next year.

Musical theater team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty were also on hand at the gala.

Jose Llana, who plays Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, was another of the evening’s participants.

On October 18, the Broadway production of Mamma Mia! celebrated its fifth anniversary with a special benefit performance for the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and a post-show party at swanky Bar Americain. Making a rare appearance at the festivities was ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, one of the hit show’s songwriters.

The queens of the night were the show’s current leading ladies: Judy McLane, Carolee Carmello, and Lori Haley Fox.

Andy Kelso and Carey Anderson, who play young lovers Sky and Sophie, were all smiles at the party…

…as were Joe Machota and Tina Maddigan, who orignated those roles on Broadway.