We Got Bruce
One Night Only with the cast of FUNNY GIRL
By Mister D
April 10, 2024

On Monday, May 20, 2024, there will be a special benefit cabaret called “The Diva’s Toast,” presented by The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation (REAF). Here are the details:

Event: One Night Only with the cast of FUNNY GIRL
Time: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM PDT
Location: Marines’ Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street, 2nd floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
Purpose: The cabaret salutes the grand dames of Broadway.

Featured Guests:
*Cast members from the national Broadway touring cast of FUNNY GIRL – These seasoned performers will bring their theatrical magic to the stage, celebrating the grand dames of Broadway.
*Melissa Manchester – A renowned singer-songwriter, Melissa Manchester’s soulful voice and emotive performances promise to be a highlight of the evening
*Special guest Bruce Vilanch – Bruce Vilanch, a celebrated comedy writer, actor, and performer, will add his unique flair to the cabaret.

Beneficiaries: The event will benefit REAF and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Tickets: Available on Eventbrite

REAF provides aid for HIV/AIDS services, hunger programs, and programs that support homeless youth. It promises to be an unforgettable evening celebrating the magic of Broadway and supporting important causes. ??

For more information and to secure your tickets, visit the official Eventbrite page. ???

The post Bananas, Boas, & Broadway: Sipping Sparkle at ‘The Diva’s Toast’ first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Clifford Bell, Hillary Rollins and Lampkin Music Group present:

“Love Don’t Need a Reason: A Benefit for Marsha Malamet” on Tuesday, May 29th at Catalina’s Jazz Club.

Hosted by Award winning writer/actor/personality, Bruce Vilanch

VIP Tickets are $75.00. General Admission: $50.00. Ticket Link: Click Here

At press time, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, Melissa Manchester; Golden Globe/MAC Award winner, Amanda McBroom; Award Award singer/songwriter, Michele Brourman; Actress/ singer, Mary Jo Mundy; Singer, Ken Stacy, Singer, Kimaya Seward; Award winning singer/musical director/pianist, Todd Schroeder, Former Harlette and Hairspray Star, Charlo Crossley; Pop Producer Greg Wells; Actress/singer, Patricia Whiteman; Songwriter, Alan Roy Scott; Songwriter, Matthew Levine and Award winning producer/songwriter and Marsha’s producer, Stephan Oberhoff have all signed on to perform. More to be announced.

Directed by Clifford Bell.

This special show will showcase an array of performances, video and written testimonials and comments on the Life and Music of Marsha Malamet.

Explanation: This benefit is to help pay for all medical needs and some living expenses, due to the fact that what Marsha suffers from (we still don’t know exactly) is not covered by insurance. Whether it is an autoimmune disorder, or a metabolic disease, treatments are expensive. In 2015 she was diagnosed with early stage Parkinson’s, then a year later, Lyme Disease. She has spent a lot of money to see different doctors, who’s treatments have not been successful.

Now she is under the care of a new doctor who treated Kris Kristofferson successfully who was challenged by something similar. Right now, she has a 24/7 caregiver, and is mostly disable, using a wheelchair and walker.

The unfortunate thing is that she lost the muscle strength and coordination, and can’t play the piano, sing, or write. The performers honoring Marsha with their appearance are all friends of her’s, having known her or written with her.

Malamet Biography: At the age of 21, Marsha made her solo recording debut, “Coney Island Winter,” on Decca Records. It was engineered by Brooks Arthur. She performed at top venues in New York supporting the CD, including Lincoln Center, and her songs have been featured on Broadway: first, in Peter Allen’s “Up in One,” and then “The Boy from Oz,” based on Peter’s life.

Marsha’s songs have been recorded by the best in the business, artists include Barbra Streisand, Faith Hill, Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Meatloaf, the late Barbara Cook, Judy Collins and Sheena Easton. Marsha’s top ten international hit single, “I Am Blessed,” sung by the UK’s pop group, Eternal, moved the Pope to invite them to perform the song at the Vatican.

Her song “Love Don’t Need A Reason,” co-written with the late Peter Allen and Michael Callen, has become an iconic theme for the Aids/HIV epidemic, recorded by over 35 performers and gay choruses worldwide.

Marsha was Grammy nominated for her songwriting involvement on the original Broadway cast CD “The Boy from Oz,” starring Hugh Jackman.

Marsha’s music takes root in people’s hearts and minds.

VIP Tickets are $75.00. General Admission is $50.00. Two Drink Minimum.

Tickets can be purchased by online @: Click Here

Catalina Jazz Club. 6725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California. 90028.

To hear Marsha’s music or to purchase, please visit:  Click Here

www.MarshaMalamet.com

For interviews and other information, please email Ralph at: Lampkinmusic@gmail.com

The post Bruce Vilanch Hosted “Love Don’t Need a Reason: A Benefit for Marsha Malamet” on Tuesday, May 29th at Catalina’s Jazz Club first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

For some reason, these events go together: today’s the 71st Anniversary of The Wizard of OZ and on Sunday, August 15th, at 7:30 PM PDT at The Herbst Theater in San Francisco, REAF, The Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation holds its 16th annual presentation of “Help Is On The Way” called Help Is On The Way XVI.

It’s hard to believe The Wizard of OZ is a full 71 years young. In fact, it seems timeless. Music and songs from The Wizard of OZ are etched into my brain, in part because one of my favorite songs to sing at The Alley in Oakland, is If I Only Had A Brain.

But it is 71 years yound, so it’s important to stop and consider the impact this awesome musical movie has had on American Culture. It has been translated in 40 languages, and been the basis for scores of reinterpretations, including the popular musical, The Wiz.

Which reminds this blogger why the link with Help Is On The Way XVI was made in my pea brain!

Over it history, REAF’s Help Is On The Way has featured performers from plays, movies, and musicals like The Wiz.

This year Leanne Borghesi, Carol Channing, Davis Gaines, La Toya London, Carole Cook, James Darren, Paula West, Bruce Vilanch, Kimberley Locke, and Melissa Manchester headline the performers as of this writing. And that list expands as we get closer to Sunday. You can get tickets for Help Is On The Way XVI at 415-273-1620.

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• Bruce Vilanch To Perform At Durham, NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (bootlegbetty.com)

The post Bruce Vilanch, The Wizard of Oz, Help Is On The Way, Oh My! first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Leanne Borghesi, Carol Channing, Carole Cook, Franc D’Ambrosio, James Darren, Melissa Manchester, Karen Mason, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Vroman, Paula West, Bruce Vilanch, and the cast of Forever Plaid will perform in the benefit concert, Help Is On the Way XVI, to be held at the Herbst Theatre, on Sunday, August 15, beginning at 5pm with a silent auction and the concert at 7:30pm.

This jazz, pop and live performance benefits four Bay Area AIDS Service Agencies: AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Larkin Street Youth Services, Meals of Marin, and New Leaf: Services for Our Community. David Galligan will direct the concert, with musical direction by Bill Keck.

Tickets begin at $75 (performance only), with gala packages priced at $125 and $175. For more information, visit www.helpisontheway.org or www.reaf.org.

The post Bruce Vilanch Set for Help Is On the Way XVI first appeared on We Got Bruce!.