-Courtesy of Feldscher Horwitz Public Relations
An entertaining celebration brunch is taking place on Sunday, April 7th at 11 a.m. as a musical tribute to the women behind the songs in a concert titled “Babes on Broadway”. Planned as a benefit for Hadassah Hospital in Israel and presented by Doña Gracia Hadassah, it will be held in the ballroom at the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 Broad Street.
A special presentation of the Life Activism and Philanthropy Award will be given to Jake Spiegelman and Jay Golde of Jay Roberts’ Jewelers in Marlton, New Jersey for their outstanding contributions to the Jewish community. There will also be a silent auction and a specially prepared video.
Elaine Grobman, co-chair of the event, looks forward to this, their second benefit following the sold-out concert in November 2022 that showcased the music of “Bordello,” a new musical by Barbara Bellman and Emiliano Messiez. Grobman said, “Not only do we look forward to this concert produced and directed by the renowned Stephen Gross, I am so pleased that we are recognizing Jake and Jay who have always been such wonderful supporters of our Hadassah chapter but also of so many non-profit organizations in the region.” Grobman’s co-chair is Barbara Bellman.
“Babes on Broadway” will highlight work created by many award-winning female composers with 12 to 15 well-known songs sung by a cast of talented singers. Amongst the artists’ work that will be included are Dorothy Fields who wrote “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Sunny Side of the Street” and 400 other major songs, Kristen Anderson-Lopez who wrote the music of “Frozen”, Lynn Ahrens who wrote the musical “Ragtime”, Sara Bareilles of “Waitress” fame, Jeanine Tesori who composed the music of “Fun Home” and Betty Comden who wrote “On the Town”, “Singin’ in the Rain” and more.
Barbara Bellman, co-chair and herself another female lyricist, is thrilled to have Steven Gross involved. She said, “Steven Gross is a stellar music director and breathes fresh life into every project. The singers and songs that will entertain Hadassah guests on April 7 will remind everyone how music makes our lives worth living, and to appreciate those who create it, perform it and present it for our enjoyment.”
Steven Gross has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and The West End and internationally as a music director, conductor, pianist, sub and vacation conductor. He is a Lortel Award nominee for Best Musical for his adaption of The Pirates of Penzance. He has conducted the European premieres of The Life, Urinetown, Falsettos, Beehive, Forever Plaid, Closer Than Ever, Flora the Red Menace and other works. His musical Nijinsky has been performed in Berlin, Zurich and Monte Carlo. Steven holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Yale University and is a Fulbright and Rotary Scholar. Steven is the head of the Abbott MFA Program in Musical Theater Collaboration at Temple University.
The cost to attend this benefit concert is $135 for members of Hadassah and $145 for non-members. RSVP’s requested by March 22, 2024. Call 215-284-0770 for more information. Tickets can be purchased at https://events.hadassah.org/BabesonBroadway
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