What: Charity in Song, featuring company members from The Book of Mormon.
Where: Numbers.
The 411: On their night off from performing the hit Broadway musical at the Hobby Center, the cast of The Book of Mormon showcased their talents and versatility with a crowd-pleasing cabaret show before a standing-room only audience of 300 to raise funds for AIDS Foundation Houston and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The song list included a steamy rendition of "Fever," a hauntingly beautiful a capella version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the '90s dance tune "I Wanna Sex You Up," the double-entendre-filled "Blow Me A Kiss," and the spirited finale, "Joyful, Joyful" from Sister Act.
There was also a surprise visit by what was described as "Houston's hometown girl" — a dead-ringer for Beyoncé who danced and lip-synched to "Crazy For You."
Afterwards, cast members mingled with guests across the street at a party at MichelAngelos restaurant.
The evening raised more than $20,000, including a $3,000 bid in a spirited live auction for a unique backstage visit while the show is in Houston by a bidder who did not wish to be indentified.
Who: AIDS Foundation Houston CEO Kelly Young, Tanner Williams, Channel 8 personality Ernie Manouse (the evening's emcee), Judy and Michael Feinstein, Travis Torrence, Jeremy and Trace Parzen, Dustin Ruffato, Lane Lewis, Mary Ward Hecksel, Van and Sandy Lessig, Jerry Vann and Broadway Across America's Kenny Singer (the duo spearheaded the idea for the Houston concert), Paula Singer, Dee Alvarado, Paul Brockman and Scott Greenwood.
Also joining in the fun were Rick Goldberg, Greg Gondren, Keith Lilies, Dee Kreft, Gayle Collins and Jack Schaffer.
Emma Taylor and Book of Mormon cast member Chad Burris.
