Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV), a nonprofit choir counting Broadway performers amongst its membership, will present its 30th annual fundraising concert April 7 at City Winery at Pier 57. The evening will honor BIV founder Michael McElroy, as well as Tom Viola, former Executive Director of Broadway Cares.
The evening will feature performances curated by BIV Artistic Director and Grammy nominee Allen Ren茅 Louis, followed by a cocktail party. Attendees will include Aneesa Folds, David 鈥淏S鈥� Bradshaw, Leslie Carrara Rudolph, Paul Rudolph, Ariana DeBose, Phylicia Rashad, Sara Bareilles, Seth Rudetsky, Avery Wilson, James Wesley, and Marc Shaiman.
鈥淭he BIV Inspiration Award recognizes those who are changing the dynamics of not only the arts, but society as a whole,鈥� Angela Grovey, Executive Director of BIV, said in a statement 鈥淲e would not be where we are today if it were not for our honorees taking that leap and committing to their mission with a yes! Michael McElroy stepped up to the challenge when we as a community needed a ray of hope and founded this incredible organization, and Tom Viola鈥檚 work has had an unimaginable impact far and wide. We could not think of two people more deserving of this recognition than Michael and Tom, and look forward to celebrating all they have achieved.鈥�
鈥淏ack in 1994 when the AIDS crisis hit our Broadway community hard, we needed hope, inspiration and an opportunity to come together to grapple with the loss of an entire generation of artists, who were also our friends and family,鈥� added McElroy. 鈥淪o, as artists, we started the Broadway Gospel Choir to provide comfort, joy and the promise of a better day. Since then and over the past three decades, Broadway Inspirational Voices has been reimagined. I am so proud that they have expanded their programming, partnered with local organizations including Ronald McDonald House New York, Covenant House International, LaGuardia High School, and New York City Department of Corrections, among others, and have become an integral part of the theatre community鈥攚here they can uplift voices through their signature arts, education and outreach programs.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e had the privilege of witnessing the evolution and legacy of BIV, and am truly honored to now be recognized by the organization as it celebrates 30 extraordinary years,鈥� Viola said in a statement. 鈥淭alented artists have taken the stage with the choir, served as mentors and supported community and youth programs, illustrating the power of unity and the arts. I am thrilled and proud to join the Broadway community and beyond in celebrating all that has been so joyfully accomplished by these glorious, diverse voices鈥攁 legacy shared with the community, past, and present. I know that Broadway Inspirational Voices will continue to have a place in my heart, in all our hearts for many years to come.鈥�
Proceeds from the event will go toward BIV鈥檚 programming, focused on community outreach, music education, and collaborative projects that bring the arts to underserved populations.
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