By Elaine Hegwood Bowen M.S.J., Chicago Crusader
Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the full concert line-up at the annual FREE Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert, sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago and hosted by Janet Davies, ABC 7 Chicago’s entertainment reporter and host of the entertainment and lifestyle program 190 NORTH on ABC 7. The concert will take place on Monday, August 15, at 6:15 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.
The Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert at Millennium Park is presented with the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. This year there will be performances including Disney’s “Aladdin,” “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical,” “The Bodyguard” with Grammy® Award-nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox; “Finding Neverland,” the 2015 Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical Fun Home, the 2014 Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical Revival Hedwig and the Angry Itch, featuring composer and lyricist Stephen Trask; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The King and I,” Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera”; the completely original new musical comedy “Something Rotten!” and “Stomp.”
“What could be better than to sit or picnic in one of the world’s premier outdoor venues, Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, and get a free preview of fantastic Broadway shows?” said Eileen LaCario, Vice President of Broadway In Chicago. “For many, it’s the favorite concert of the year bringing together thousands of our dedicated theater-goers and introducing them to some of the greatest musicals of the decade.”
This is presented in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as part of Millennium Park Presents. Millennium Park proudly presents symphonic music, dance, opera, Broadway hits and more—performed by some of Chicago’s best-loved cultural institutions. For full calendar information, visit millenniumpark.org.
Melba Moore hosts a food drive for Women Veterans and launches 10-city tour
This is her life story! Melba Moore will take the stage in Chicago to launch “Still Standing” The Melba Moore Story.
Melba Moore will host a food drive to help fill the pantry for the National Women Veterans United changing lives and building hope one city at a time through the movement “Still Standing.”
Tony-Award Winner, three time Grammy® nominee, actress, and professional music educator, Melba Moore will team up with the Kroc Center Theater located at 1250 W. 119th St., Chicago, on Friday, August 12, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. Melba will launch her 10-city tour “Still Standing” The Melba Moore Story, filled with 90 minutes of music and the debut anthem single “What Can I Do To Survive,” available on amazon.com and iTunes. The show will make you laugh, cry and bring you to your feet. Melba will take you on a roller coaster ride through R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Blues and hits from the past. As well, there will be dramatic choreographed scenes giving you a taste of Broadway while delivering her ups and downs, failed marriage, a millionaire-to-welfare existence and being homeless. Melba tells it all in this touching performance and movement “Still Standing” The Melba Moore Story.
When Melba was asked why she decided to share her life story in a one-woman show, she replied: “If I don’t take my life experience and share the trials with the world, I am truly not giving back the lesson. This is my testimony and blueprint for others to believe in yourself and step out on faith. My message and “Still Standing” movement is simple: a failure is a person who never tries, but trying defeats being a failure and know you can survive and Stand through it all.”
There will be also be a “meet and greet” with Melba Moore on Thursday, August 11, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the National Women Veterans United, located at 7907 S. Racine Ave.
While helping communities on the tour, Melba will make a donation to the National Women Veterans United a 501(c)3 organization by hosting a food drive to help fill their food pantry as they assist women veterans in Chicago. Event attendees can bring non-perishable items to the show and a representative from NWVU will be there to greet and thank them
for their support. To make additional donations contact 872-731-2150. “Still Standing” The Melba Moore Story tickets are on sale at https://www.freshtix.com/events/melbamoore. The musical play is a must-see family experience. Melba Moore is a legend in her own right, changing lives one city at a time with a movement message to all “Still Stand.”
