(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Summit Medical Group Foundation (SMGF), in partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, has announced the inaugural Broadway Beats Hunger holiday performance to benefit the “Food, Health and Hope: An Answer to Diabetes” initiative and broaden awareness about the direct link between access to nutritious food and this widespread health epidemic in New Jersey. Held at the esteemed Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, leading Broadway stars featured in award-winning shows including Hamilton: An American Musical, Legally Blonde, Les Misérables, The Book of Mormon, Frozen the Broadway Musical and many more will perform live on December 4 at 7:00pm. General admission tickets are $50 and VIP tickets at $100 offer premium seating and access to a special reception.
“We are excited to present our first-ever musical charity event to shine a spotlight on a rampant health issue affecting thousands in New Jersey’s underprivileged communities,” said Dr. William Tansey, Cardiologist at Summit Medical Group and member of the Summit Medical Group Foundation Board of Directors. “Putting an end to diabetes starts with awareness and access. By joining Broadway and our cause, we can draw much-needed attention to help raise funds for this life-changing initiative while giving people hope that there is an answer.”
Summit Medical Group Foundation, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and seven community/faith-based agencies have partnered to help eradicate diabetes among New Jersey adults with incomes below the federal poverty level. In New Jersey, diabetes affects urban areas more prevalently: In Essex, Passaic and Union counties, adults with the disease account for 7.2 to 10.6 percent of the population. Overall, an estimated 39,000* people are diagnosed with diabetes each year in this state as the epidemic continues to grow.
“Diabetes is a highly preventable and manageable disease with the help of proper nutrition and education,” said Debra Vizzi, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Adults living in poverty are the most vulnerable in this fight because they struggle to provide nutritious food for their families, often choosing inexpensive and unhealthy food to get by. This initiative with Summit Medical Group Foundation aligns with the Community FoodBank’s ultimate goal to end hunger in New Jersey and inspire healthy lifestyles along the way. It’s deeply heartening to see Broadway’s biggest names supporting our mission to change lives.”
Proceeds from the Broadway Beats Hunger charity event will benefit “Food, Health and Hope: An Answer to Diabetes,” an initiative that includes free diabetes screenings; fresh, healthy and diabetes-friendly food at no cost; access to nutrition programs; education on diabetes self-care; assistance with low-cost diabetes medication; eye and foot examinations and much more.
Broadway Beats Hunger headlining stars will perform Broadway’s hit songs to entertain and engage audiences for one night only. Below are a few highlights on performers:
Laura Bell Bundy | Tony Nominee | Legally Blonde the Musical, Anger Management
Bryan Terrell Clark | Hamilton: An American Musical, Motown: The Musical
Nikki M. James | The Book of Mormon, Les Misérables, The Good Wife
Adam Kaplan |A Bronx Tale, Newsies
Greg Hildreth | Frozen the Broadway Musical
Eden Espinosa | Wicked, RENT
Norbert Leo Butz | Tony Award Winner | Catch Me If You Can, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Joey Taranto | Kinky Boots, Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark
Ellen Marie Marsh | Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Paul Canaan | Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde the Musical
Jackie Cruz | Orange is the New Black
Paper Mill Playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, New Jersey.
Infusing a classical oratorio with blues, gospel, jazz and soul, this musical and visual journey investigates human experiences of time and memory alongside powerful physical forces that shape the universe. Our exploration emphasizes the significance of the ritual of gathering for live performance in an increasingly screen-focused world.
Featuring the students of the Lewis Center as the cast and crew, this production is the first non-professional performance of this important new work which premiered in 2022 in New York City to great critical acclaim.
Directed by visiting Iranian artist and director Nikoo Mamdoohi, with English to Latin translations by Greg Taubman, Princeton Class of 2006, the professional team includes music direction by Emma Sway, music supervision by Solon Snider Sway, set design by Afsoon Pajoufar, lighting design by Kelley Shih, sound design by Kay Richardson, costume design by Keating Debelak, choreography by Sariel Golomb, and stage management by Milan Eldridge, Princeton Class of 2020. Juniors Lota Alagbe and Peyton McLaughlin serves as dramaturgs.
Infusing a classical oratorio with blues, gospel, jazz and soul, this musical and visual journey investigates human experiences of time and memory alongside powerful physical forces that shape the universe. Our exploration emphasizes the significance of the ritual of gathering for live performance in an increasingly screen-focused world.
Featuring the students of the Lewis Center as the cast and crew, this production is the first non-professional performance of this important new work which premiered in 2022 in New York City to great critical acclaim.
Directed by visiting Iranian artist and director Nikoo Mamdoohi, with English to Latin translations by Greg Taubman, Princeton Class of 2006, the professional team includes music direction by Emma Sway, music supervision by Solon Snider Sway, set design by Afsoon Pajoufar, lighting design by Kelley Shih, sound design by Kay Richardson, costume design by Keating Debelak, choreography by Sariel Golomb, and stage management by Milan Eldridge, Princeton Class of 2020. Juniors Lota Alagbe and Peyton McLaughlin serves as dramaturgs.
