Classic Stage Company (CSC) has announced the initial performers for its upcoming one-night-only benefit Make Them Hear You: Celebrating 40 Years of Ahrens and Flaherty. The Off-Broadway theatre company will honor the work of the Tony-winning writers behind Ragtime, Anastasia, A Man of No Importance, and more April 17 at 7 PM.
The evening will feature performances by Tony winner Lea Salonga (Once On This Island, Miss Saigon), Tony nominee A.J. Shively (A Man of No Importance, Paradise Square), Christy Altomare (Anastasia, Mamma Mia!), Shereen Ahmed (A Man of No Importance, My Fair Lady), Hannah Elless (Knoxville, Bright Star), and Jason Danieley (Knoxville, Pretty Woman: The Musical) with more to be announced. Danieley will also direct the benefit while Daniel Green (Almost Famous) will serve as music director.
It was recently announced that Salonga will star as Aurora Aquino in a limited guest engagement for the upcoming Broadway production of Here Lies Love.
CSC presented Ahrens and Flaherty's A Man of No Importance with Jim Parsons leading the cast of the extended Off-Broadway production last fall. Performances began October 11, and opened October 30 for a run through December 18. The original production won the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical.
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