Photo Flash

The Actors Fund Holds When Pigs Fly Benefit

”When Pigs Fly” was scheduled for an off-Broadway run last October, but was canceled because of funding issues.

Brian Charles Rooney, Jacob Hoffman, Jordan Ahnquist, Taylor Crousore, and Frank Viveros perform in The Actor's Fund's When Pigs Fly benefit reading.
Brian Charles Rooney, Jacob Hoffman, Jordan Ahnquist, Taylor Crousore, and Frank Viveros perform in the Actors Fund's When Pigs Fly benefit reading.
(© Jay Brady)

Cast members of last year's canceled off-Broadway run of When Pigs Fly got the chance to show off their hard work when the Actors Fund held a benefit concert reading of the now defunct production on Monday, April 9. Proceeds from the evening benefited the Actors Fund.

Jacob Hoffman and Frank Viveros perform "Quasimodo" from When Pigs Fly.
Jacob Hoffman and Frank Viveros perform "Quasimodo" from When Pigs Fly.
(© Jay Brady)

The benefit featured originally announced cast members Jordan Ahnquist, Taylor Crousore, Jacob Huffman, Brian Charles Rooney, and Frank Viveros. Mark Waldrop directed, with choreography by Denis Jones and costumes by Bob Mackie.

Brian Charles Rooney performs "Siren Song".
Brian Charles Rooney performs "Siren Song."
(© Jay Brady)

Howard Crabtree and Mark Waldrop's When Pigs Fly was originally scheduled to begin performances October 6, 2017, at Stage 42 before the producers announced the run was canceled due to a "shortfall in the show's investment." The show was described as follows: "In a hastily booked theater under renovation, Howard struggles to put on a lavish musical revue over numerous obstacles, including the near-mutiny of his cast, and the nagging memory of his high school guidance counselor, who told him he'd succeed 'when pigs fly.' Just when it seems all is lost, Howard realizes the problem isn't that he's gone too far — it's that he hasn't gone far enough."

Jordan Ahnquist, Taylor Crousore, Brian Charles Rooney and Frank Viveros perform "You've Got to Stay in the Game" at the Actors Fund's benefit gala.
Jordan Ahnquist, Taylor Crousore, Brian Charles Rooney and Frank Viveros perform, "You've Got to Stay in the Game" at the Actors Fund's benefit gala.
(© Jay Brady)

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone — performers and those behind the scenes — who works in performing arts and entertainment. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, the Fund’s programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services.