On Monday, April 12th DO40 presented its first-ever song and dance concert to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Project Achieve, the HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in NYC.  Former gypsy and perennial television star Valerie Harper, Broadway “real” soprano Anita Gillette and the ever-beautiful Marge Champion made special guest appearances during the show.  Guests from the ballet and modern world appeared and donated their performances as well. 

Choreographer and DO40 member Larry Fuller choreographed the opening and closing numbers, and choreography was also provided by Luigi, Margo Sappington, Peter Gennaro, Sasha Spielvogel, Donlin Foreman, Claire Porter, Marcus Galante and Alan Onickel.  Members performing included Karin Baker, Cherylyn Jones, Ken Urmston, George Marcy, Roseanna Mineo, Patti Mariano, Lori Tan Chinn, Ron Young, James Dybas and many more!. 

Our encore/finale, Lullaby of Broadway, was restaged by Karin Baker and featured as many of our members as we could get on the stage.  Other performers included Terri Klausner (a NEW DO40 member!), Claire Porter, Ramon Flowers, and dancers courtesy of the New York Theatre Ballet, performing “The Continental” by Peter Gennaro, recreated by his daughter, DO40 member Liza Gennaro. The event coordinators were DO40 members Cherylyn Jones, Joy Serio Dunbar and DO40 President John Sefakis.

DO40 intends this to be a yearly fundraiser, and hope we can reach out to all the dance communities to develop this event and involve even more members – and friends of DO40 next year!

CLICK HERE to view more photos (151 Photos)