Theater News

Fun Home Raises Over $100K for Orlando Victims

The Broadway cast performed a benefit concert for Equality Florida.

Beth Malone, Gabriella Pizzolo, and Emily Skeggs in the Orlando concert performance of Fun Home on July 24.
Beth Malone, Gabriella Pizzolo, and Emily Skeggs in the Orlando concert performance of Fun Home on July 24.
(© Ian Suarez)

The Tony-winning musical Fun Home raised $113,000 in ticket sales and additional donations, in support of Equality Florida and the LGBTQ community of Orlando during a one-night-only benefit concert performance at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando last night.

All nine of the show’s onstage company members, including Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris, four-time Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn, 2015 Tony Award nominees Beth Malone and Emily Skeggs, Gabriella Pizzolo, Roberta Colindrez, Cole Grey, Zell Steele Morrow, and Joel Perez flew down to Orlando to participate in the special concert version of the musical for the Orlando community.

The show’s Tony Award-winning creators Lisa Kron (book and lyrics), Jeanine Tesori (music), and Sam Gold (direction) joined the cast onstage afterward for a discussion with the audience, which included employees from Pulse Nightclub as well as families of the victims.

One hundred percent of the net proceeds of the benefit performance will support the future work of Equality Florida and the victims of the horrific Pulse shooting. Half of the money raised will be distributed directly to victims and their families, and half will support Equality Florida's work to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Inspired by Alison Bechdel's graphic novel-memoir of the same title, Fun Home follows the real-life Bechdel's journey to accept the death of her stern, closeted father, Bruce, while coming to terms with her own sexuality. The show ends its run at Circle in the Square Theatre September 10.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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