Tony Award-winning Beautiful star Jessie Mueller will join two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera as part of a December 4 benefit concert at Birdland supporting the Art Attack Foundation.
“Art teaches us empathy, and education is an amazing vehicle for dialogue. Combine the two and you have something our world needs now more than ever. I’m glad to support the Art Attack Foundation in their efforts to fund arts programs and arts education. Organizations like this are vital right now,” Mueller said in a statement.
Rivera serves as the Chairperson for the AAF, which provides scholarship funding and outreach opportunities for young performers to achieve their full artistic potential. The 2017 concert marks the 14th anniversary of the organization.
The event will also feature Anastasia star Christy Altomare, Mean Girls-bound Kate Rockwell, Beautiful Tony nominee Anika Larsen, Les Misérables and The Lightning Thief favorite Chris McCarrell, KPOP composer Max Vernon, and songwriting team Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, as well as Birdland staple Jim Caruso, Julie Foldesi, Sally Wilfert, Michael Patrick Walker, Bonnie Milligan, Rob Rokicki, Lynne Shankel, and Steve Marzullo.
Joining the stage stars will be two students from Rosie's Theater Kids, an arts education initiative from Rosie O'Donnell that Art Attack continues to support. Anthony Garcia—who is also an Art Attack scholarship recipient—and Malcolm Callendar will represent the organization as part of the event lineup.
“I grew up performing in musical theatre with a passion for dance. I would not have been able to achieve my dreams without great mentors and financial assistance,” says AAF Founder and Executive Director Dan Watt. “That is why I started the foundation. When Rosie built the school, I knew we had to help in some way. It has now turned into a 10 year relationship, and I am proud that we are able to give such talented kids assistance and opportunities like this to showcase their talents.”
Michael Croiter of Yellow Sound Label will produce alongside Watt and Yael Silver.
For tickets and more information, visit ArtAttackFoundation.org.
