Covenant House Georgia Night Of Broadway Stars – Buckhead Theatre 2017
The Night of Broadway Stars hosted by Covenant House Georgia at the Buckhead Theatre and catered by Carlyle’s Catering is my favorite event of the year.
It is not in the top ten or top five of my favorites.
It’s my NUMBER ONE favorite event.
I love working with Covenant House Georgia. These people are passionate about changing the lives of homeless youth. They don’t let homelessness define who these kids are, but give them the tools to become self sufficient. To obtain jobs. To balance checkbooks. To eliminate addictions. To reconcile and heal their minds from the horrors they have seen while being abused by family or foster families, or surviving on the streets.
I have heard the stories of the youth.
And I am amazed by their strength.
Whatever programs Covenant House has instituted, they are working.
And they are phenomenal.
Kevin Ryan, president of Covenant House International flew in for this event. Without his dedication to changing the lives of homeless and trafficked youth, many lives would be much different. He brings so much good to this organization.
The statistics for youth homelessness are sobering.
One in five have been trafficked.
56% of all identified sex trafficking victims are LGBTQ.
One out of every three Covenant House Georgia youth have been sexually exploited.
People. As a mom. And as a human. That is stomach churning to me.
In spite of these horrific numbers, the youth who come to Covenant House Georgia fluorish.
They learn how to do more than survive. They learn how to overcome.
This organization could not do what they do without the help of generous donors like the hundreds of people who attend the Night of Broadway Stars. Who win the fundraising auctions from hand-made artisan satchels all the way up to $15,000 luxury island getaways. And the Broadway stars who fly in from all over the country to deliver magnificent performances.
Neil Berg/lyricist + composer and John Asselta/producer are instrumental in making this night happen and bringing so many of the broadway stars together.
Lawrence Clayton performed in the Color Purple as Ol’ Mister, and Les Miserables as Jean Valjean.
David Elder was Bobby Pepper in Curtains and Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street.
Rita Harvey performed Christine Daae’s role in Phantom of the Operal.
Capathia Jenkins has delivered incredible performances on Broadway in Newsies, Fame Becomes Me, off-broadway productions, and tv on 30 Rock, The Practice, Law + Order, as well as many others.
Hugh Panaro starred as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera.
Danny Zolli is best known for his performances starring as Jesus & Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
This event would also not be possible without the generosity, time, and donations from John + Jane Ridall, Charles Beard, Christopher Bivins, Coleman Breland, Michael Brown, Tricia Carlson, Robert Cavanaugh, Clark Dean, Jessica + Sandy Douglas, Kimberley Euston, Paul + Carol Garcia, Michael Hewitt. And lastly, Allison Ashe/Executive Director at Covenant House Georgia and her team of dedicated humans who planned + coordinated for months to ensure this night was a success.
Now that you’ve read this far, scroll with me and see what it felt like to be at the Buckhead Theater on the Night of Broadway Stars.
Then the youth from Covenant House Georgia walked on stage to deliver an engaging and exciting performance that had the crowd on their feet by the end!
And if you want to attend the Night of Broadway Stars in 2018, then sign up for the Covenant House Georgia newsletter so you don’t miss out.
This is the second year I have photographed this event. It is overwhelming being surrounded by so many people who care and want to make a difference in the lives of people they don’t even know. It is a night filled with talent. But moreso, it is an evening filled with a reminder that there is so much good in our community. That people matter. And in spite of staggeringly horrific statistics, humans can overcome tremendous hurdles.
That. That is what keeps my head buzzing and a smile on my face for weeks after this event. Or most any event I attend on campus at Covenant House Georgia.