NEW YORK, New York–
Homeless youth striving to turn their lives
around received a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to perform with Broadway stars for former First
Lady Laura Bush on Thursday, June 3rd
on the stage of Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of
Jazz at Lincoln Center.
At this unique
A Night of Broadway Stars event, Mrs.
Bush was presented Covenant House’s first-ever
Beacon of Hope Award, honoring her support of
the homeless young people who receive
life-saving help at Covenant House.
“A
Night of Broadway Stars gives our kids a
chance to show their talent, their courage and
their goodness,” says Kevin M. Ryan, President
of Covenant House. “After a very tough start in
life, they have found the strength to get off
the streets. Our kids have worked incredibly
hard to prepare for this night, and we are
honored that former First Lady Laura Bush was
with us to hear their voices and to be inspired
by their lives. It was a night our kids and the
rest of us attending will never forget.”
A Night of Broadway Stars
was hosted by renowned composer and lyricist
Neil Berg, whose credits include The Prince and
The Pauper, Grumpy Old Men and 100 Years of
Broadway, now the number one Broadway touring
concert in the United States. During this
inspirational and powerful evening of
entertainment, Broadway stars were joined by ten
young people currently living at Covenant House,
40 members of the world-renowned Newark School
of Performing Arts, and Broadway stars Rita
Harvey, Capathia Jenkins, Darius deHaas, Craig
Schuman, Stephanie Block, Sophia Ramos, and Bev
and Kirby Ward.
All proceeds
raised by A Night of Broadway Stars will
benefit the homeless young people served by
Covenant House.
“We are in the
midst of an economic downturn in which we all
have difficult decisions to make,” said Ryan.
“But for the kids being trafficked by pimps or
starving on street corners, the issue remains
the same in good times and bad…Does anybody
care? This event is an opportunity for
compassionate people to stand side by side with
our kids and let them know we care.”