Patti Russo's New Show

[Steingirl]

Patti Russo will be appearing at the Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey on May 15. For US fans, this is a great cause with some big-hearted stars devoting their time and talent. This show benefits the homeless teens of Covenant House. For UK fans, let's hope for more Patti appearances this summer!

[meatloaf-unofficial]

I'm becoming jealous quite quickly

I wish I lived in the US at times!

[Steingirl]

Apparently, this is a Night of Broadway concert which will also feature Rob Evan (from TranSiberian Orchestra, Jim Steinman's "Over the Top", "The Twelve" with Patti) among others. There is also a VIP "Meet the Stars" dessert reception after the show.

[citydweller]

Thanks for all the info, Steingirl..........and welcome to the forum, too

Looks like you can buy tickets to the Borgata event in the back half of the house through The Borgata's website. The VIP tickets, which are a bit more expensive and offer sponsorship options at various levels, can be obtained from Covenant House's Website.A Night of Broadway Stars

If you're feeling particularly generous and have considerably deeper pockets, I just spoke with someone at Covenant House who said two more events that week will feature the same performance by the same artists. May 14 in Newark and May 13 in, of all places, Philadelphia . However, the least expensive ticket for both of these events is.............well........let's just say it's cheaper to fly to the UK

All dates are listed here:
Neil Berg's Website

[Deb]

Don't forget the camera Steph

This sounds very cool

Thanks Steingirl and Steph

Deb

[Steingirl]

Thanks for welcoming me. It's great to join such a nice community. I have been a Meat, Jim, Patti, NLE fan since 1993. Can't wait for the new tour and album!

[belladonna-took]

It sounds like one hell of a night! How i'd love to be there!!
Welcome Steingirl. Cool name!!

[Steingirl]

Thanks, belladonna! Love your name too 'beautiful lady'. When I was a little girl, that was my first album ever, Stevie Nicks "Bella Donna". Anyway, nice to "meat" ya and all the wonderful fans here.

[belladonna-took]

Yep, I love Stevie too. She's got magic, just like Meat.
Bat out of Hell was my first ever album, closely followed by Queen, Night at the Opera. Discovered Stevie a couple of years later. And Kate Bush too.

[MeatGrl1]

This is fantastic, I wish I could be there !!

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by Steingirl

Patti Russo will be appearing at the Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey on May 15. For US fans, this is a great cause with some big-hearted stars devoting their time and talent. This show benefits the homeless teens of Covenant House. For UK fans, let's hope for more Patti appearances this summer!

Thanks for the information Steingirl.
I'd love to see it, but unfortunately I have to work and wouldn't be able to make it there in time.

Vicki

[Deb]

Thats a shame Vicki, I was hoping you'd get to this one so we could have pics and stories lol. Sorry you cant go

Deb

[Battybarb]

Yea Deb ,would have been nice to have some pics and review etc...

[Steingirl]

Hi, Deb! Your website rocks! Some of my friends wanted to sign your BBP Guestbook, but the page couldn't be displayed.

[Deb]

Thanks Steingirl. It's back up now. There was a few technical difficulties but theyre sorted now

Deb

[Monstro]

Originally Posted by Deb

Thanks Steingirl. It's back up now. There was a few technical difficulties but theyre sorted now

Deb

<<<resists temptation to make up a load of names!!!!

[citydweller]

I just found a bit more information about the Covenant House Charity. Neil Berg has been doing this for about six years now. Thanks to the preview of The Twelve with Patti I was lucky enough to see in January, I think I'm one of his newest fans. I wondered if the performances would be mostly from his own body of work or selections from any Broadway show. For those interested, this is a really moving article from Broadway World describing last year's fundraiser concert in Philadelphia. What a neat project for Patti to be contributing her talents to this year.........I KNEW there was a reason I'm such a big fan of hers!
Steph

Here's the article. Full text and photos can be found here


Sunday, April 1, 2007; Posted: 11:56 AM - by Pati Buehler

Since 1999, the Mission of Covenant House is to service homeless, runaway and "at risk" youth. "We do this through a continuous service that includes street outreach as Covenant House staff go out on the street with the goal of contacting homeless youth and offering a way off the street, "according to Executive Director Jerome Kilbane.

On Thursday, March 29th the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts became a house filled with generous supporters from the staff and board members of this amazing organization to the wonderful entertainers and theater patrons who came out to show their love for this worthy cause. "This is the fifth year Neil Berg has brought his talented troupe to not only perform for our kids, but with our kids", says Kilbane.

The cast included Rita Harvey (Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof), Danny Zolli (Jesus Christ Superstar), husband and wife actors, director and dancers Kirby and Beverly Ward, Craig Schulman (Les Miserables, Jekyll & Hyde, Phantom of the Opera), Capathia Jenkins (Martin Short's Fame Becomes Me, Caroline or Change), comedy actor, singer Jeff Gardner (Scarlet Pimpernel, Wild Party, Carter Calvert (It Ain't Nothing But The Blues) and Lawrence Clayton (Bells Are Ringing, Dreamgirls).

Musical Highlights included a tribute to Judy Garland performed by Rita Harvey and Carter Calvert, selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, sung by Danny Zolli, "Phantom of the Opera," sung by Craig Schulman and Rita Harvey and "Jesus Christ Superstar," sung by Lawrence Clayton.

Solo highlights included Billy Joel's "Songs From An Italian Restaurant" performed by the always popular Danny Zolli, accompanied by Neil and his extraordinary band, as well as Les Miserables star Craig Schulman's soaring one of a kind rendition of "Bring Him Home." Capathia Jenkins clearly brought down the house with her performance of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls. These last two songs took on a new meaning in light of the purpose of this event, and the audience response to both was sheer appreciation.

Joseph C. Swift, Chairman of the Board of Covenant House Pennsylvania was present and simply overjoyed by the entire evening. The Covenant House concept differs from other youth programs in that they employ a Rights of Passage: a transitional living program that provides long term housing and teaches youth independent living skills.

"Our goal is to treat our kids with "unconditional love and absolute respect". We allow youth as many chances as is needed to reach their goals, even if that means coming in and out of the program many times. Second, we are the only program that has a policy of "open intake". This means we often have youth that have been in many other programs, we turn no youth away", as Kilbane explains. " We welcome any group that wants to be involved within our Mission. We have great relationships with a number of volunteer groups, schools and businesses.

"Our short term goals are to increase the amount of funding that Covenant House raises to allow us to increase the quality and quantity of support services we can offer (hence the reason for our "Night of Broadway Stars" event). Our long term goal is to renovate 20,000 sg ft in Kensington to expand our current ROP program from 8 beds to 18 apartments that will provide transitional housing and services to 20 individuals and 8 mothers with children".

Clearly the most heart-warming, as well as heart-tugging, highlight of the evening was a chance to hear the personal stories of two former Covenant House members who rendered the crowd speechless and tearful with their bittersweet stories of neglect, abuse, rescue and redemption back into the world and a life that so many of us take for granted.

Prior to the evening's event, Neil Berg and company spent some time with the residents of Covenant house encouraging them and offering a handful of young people a unique opportunity - to rehearse and perform a song on stage. The finished product - six beautifully dressed young men and ladies that brought the audience to their feet with their newfound confidence and talent. They were then joined by the Broadway cast for a final song from Dreamgirls, "Family", which finished the evening with an overwhelming ovation and a feeling of compassion and appreciation for all involved in this amazing life-saving work that takes place 24 hours a day every day at the Covenant House.

The dedicated fine people of these programs welcome and encourage everyone to reach out and support a Covenant House near you. Visit their website at www.covenanthousepa.org.

The Covenant House presents "A Night of Broadway Stars" was held at the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater, Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA on March 29, 2007.

[Deb]

Thanks for finding that Steph

So my dear friend will you be going and taking your camera with you

[citydweller]

I suppose I am feeling a bit charitable. However, I think it's actually easier to beat the Borgata on their slots than to take pictures or video during one of their performances. If only the UK members of Patti's film and camera crew could be there. I hear they do fantastic work!!

[Deb]

If you could go and win on the slots before the show, I'm sure we could fund enough to get 'them' there lol. I know you can do it, i've seen you on them machines You're Jake's hero

[djfierce]

lol have fun Steph, it all sounds very cool. Enjoyed your vids and review from the twelve so i am eagerly awaiting this one too

[citydweller]

Originally Posted by Deb

If you could go and win on the slots before the show, I'm sure we could fund enough to get 'them' there lol. I know you can do it, i've seen you on them machines You're Jake's hero

You make it sound like I've corrupted a minor!! Unfortunately, I don't think any of the airlines accept arcade game tickets.......although times ARE tough for them. Let's see, in an ideal world 100 tickets could buy a rubber eraser, a bouncing ball, a plastic truck, or a roundtrip ticket to the UK in June. If I were really any good at gambling, Deb, I'd have a front row ticket for Plymouth right now

Originally Posted by djfierce

lol have fun Steph, it all sounds very cool. Enjoyed your vids and review from the twelve so i am eagerly awaiting this one too

Thanks, Anji. However, I have no idea where my seats even are for these shows. Apparently the front row goes for about $100,000. I'm somewhere up in the "cheap" seats It's highly unlikely even ticket specialist Deb could find a way to get up front this time around. But to borrow the phrase quid pro quo.....I'll see what I can do if you all PROMISE to try and capture that moment when Patti joins the Neverland Express on stage again. It's going to be a VERY miserable day for me over here............

[djfierce]

Deal there will b a few of us there with our camera's at the ready!!!

I think there's a challenge there Deb!!! Sort that ticket out lmao

I'm sure wherever you are, you will hav a great time Steph, if the good seats are going for that much, they must be expecting one hell of a show, and any glimpse of it will be greatly appreciated by a few of us here

[citydweller]

Yes, Anji. It should be a great show. In fact, here's a local article about tonight's concert if anyone's interested.
Covenant House Pennsylvania Hosts Night of Broadway Stars

[Deb]

Sounds like you're at least spending you money on something useful Steph have fun tonight and hurry home to tell me all about it