ORLANDO | Three of Central Florida’s most well-known theatrical collaborators are teaming up with Watermark to present an online benefit showcase to help raise funds for Central Florida performers who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Director and Tony Award-winning producer Kenny Howard; composer and musician Rich Charron; and playwright, lyricist and producer Michael Wanzie — in conjunction with Watermark Publishing Group — will present “Social Distancing Showcase: Out of Work Performers Performing Outside of Work to Benefit Out of Work Performers,” streaming live on YouTube April 4 from 8-10 p.m. EST.
Money raised from the online showcase will benefit the Central Florida Performing Artist Relief Fund, a newly created fund meant to provide immediate financial assistance to those within the Greater Orlando area’s performing arts community in need.
“Inspired by the recent online streaming of ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’ wherein Broadway stars performed live from their living rooms to raise money for The Actors Fund of America, the Social Distance Showcase production team has invited many of Orlando’s best known and accomplished (mostly musical theater) performers who have enthusiastically agreed to entertain viewers from their homes during the live streaming showcase,” states a press release released April 1.
Howard and Wanzie will host the 2-hour extravaganza from Howard’s downtown Orlando home while Charron will produce the live production from his home on the Space Coast.
The showcase will feature performances by Blake Auburn, Doug “Taffy” Ba’aser, Andrea Canny, Ricky Cona, David Dorman, Natalie Doliner, Rebecca Fisher, William “Billy” Flanigan, Jim Harrison, Jessica Hoehn, Gabriella Juliet, Tod Kimbro, Janine Klein, Thomas “Robby” Pigott, Sam Singhaus, Randi Solomon, Blue Star and Melissa Vasquez with special guest appearances by Fringe favorite Chase Pajittles, as well as Broadway’s Seth Rudetsky and Justin Sargent.
To donate or apply for assistance to the Central Florida Performing Artist Relief Fund, go to WatermarkOnline.com/ActorsFund starting April 4 at 8 p.m. The link will go live as the show starts.
Those wishing to apply to the Artist Relief Fund will be asked to fill out a very brief, straight-forward, non-intrusive online application. The fund plans to process applications and disperse funds within 72 hours of receipt of a request.
To watch, go to the “Social Distancing Showcase” YouTube stream.
