Broadway star joins World AIDS Day concert line-up

Broadway DIVA and Tony Award winner Lillias White has joined the line-up for this year’s World AIDS Day concert.

White, currently appearing in the musical Fame at the Capitol Theatre, will add even more clout to the November 22 concert.

She will join Wicked star Lucy Durak, David Harris (Little Women, Miss Saigon) Geraldine Turner (Chicago, A Little Night Music, Into The Woods), Michael Cormick (City Homicide, Calamity, The Woman In White) Peter Cousens (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, West Side Story) and Trevor Ashley (Hairspray, I’m Every Woman).

Playing for one night only on Monday, November 22, in the stunning Verbruggen Hall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the bill will also include Shaun and Adam Rennie, Queenie Van de Zandt, Laura Mulcahy, Avigail Herman, Tyran Parke and Phil Scott.

All performers will be backed by a live orchestra.

White has been a frequent visitor to our shores, performing her one-woman cabaret show several times around the country in recent years. She’s also a committed supporter of gay rights, even performing on board Rosie O’Donnell’s Family Cruise in 2004.

“I love my gay and lesbian fan base. They come, they enjoy and they get me. That’s what I get on stage for — to reach people,” White said in a recent interview with the Star Observer.

“No matter what your orientation is, you have a heart, you have a soul, you have feelings, and they’re ready to be moved by other people’s artistry.”

For the third year running, concert creator Trevor Ashley will direct the performers and Craig Renshaw will direct the music for the gala performance.

All performers and musicians are doing the show for free with all proceeds helping ACON provide essential health promotion services for people with HIV.

ACON events co-ordinator David Wilkins said the music of Stephen Sondheim is a natural choice for Sydney’s World AIDS Day concert.

“Stephen Sondheim is celebrating his 80th birthday this year and it seems only fitting that we should mark the occasion with an all-star tribute to this phenomenal artist,” he said.

“He is undoubtedly one of the most influential people in the history of musical theatre and his work has entertained millions of people all around the world for over 50 years.

“Sondheim’s wonderful music being performed by so many great entertainers and all backed by a live orchestra will produce a truly memorable show for people of all ages.”

info: The 2010 Sydney World AIDS Day Concert – An All-Star Tribute To Stephen Sondheim is on Monday, November 22 from 7:30pm at Verbruggen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie St, Sydney. Tickets are $65 each or $55 concession. Bookings at www.acon.org.au/WADconcert or phone (02) 9206 2062.