embrace!

embrace! will feature songs which celebrate diversity, inspiration and hope and all proceeds will benefit The Matthew Shepard Foundation in its mission to replace hate with understanding. Last year’s concert raised thousands for the foundation and spawned embrace! concerts in several other cities around the country. The cast includes recent Phantom of the Opera film star, Patrick Wilson, Assassin’s Marc Kudisch and Lennon’s Julia Murney. Also included in the cast will be Nancy Anderson, Bryan Batt, Laura Benanti, Linda Benanti, Nikki Renee Daniels, Max von Essen, Adam Fleming, Darius de Haas, Tom Hewitt, Tina Maddigan, Kelli O’Hara, Kate Pazakis, Jai Rodriguez, Emily Skinner, Nicole Snelson, and Matt Stocke, as well as singer/songwriters Jenny Giering and Randi Driscoll.

embrace! will be directed by Jamie McGonnigal, who produced the recent Pippin and Children of Eden Concerts for World AIDS Day.