When Wade Preston sits at the keyboard to croon a few Billy Joel tunes Saturday at Judson Erne Auditorium, memories of his late mother will provide inspiration.
Music became a lifeline when Alzheimer’s stole much of his mom’s memory a few years ago. Preston or his guitarist/singer sister, Bonnie Boger, would play classic Joni Mitchell tunes for their mother.
“And she somehow would remember every word of the lyrics (while singing along),” Preston said, speaking by phone from New York City.
The actor and musician who starred as the piano man in Broadway’s Billy Joel musical “Movin’ Out” for more than three years will be among six Big Apple stage performers headlining the annual Broadway Memories show. Proceeds will benefit Our Hospice of South Central Indiana’s Music & Memory program it currently is launching.
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The tool aims to enhance the lives of patients with cognitive challenges — all via music that helps them link to significant memories. So, obviously, Preston loves the idea of assisting with that.
“I feel very fortunate to get to do what I love for my livelihood,” Preston said. “So, if I have the chance to give something back, I usually jump on it.”
Same for New York City’s Stephen DeAngelis. He connected with his mother, an Alzheimer’s patient, through old, classic tunes six years ago.
He’s a longtime friend of local professional actress Jill Tasker and a top New York producer who produced last year’s local, inaugural Broadway Memories that raised $30,000 for Our Hospice. In his career, he has produced more than 300 different Broadway concerts at venues in New York and across the United States featuring a multitude of Broadway stars, including many Tony Award and Drama Desk Award winners and nominees.
And he’s producing this year’s show — one that organizers believe can sell out the 1,000-seat venue.
“No question about it,” DeAngelis said, speaking by phone from his New York City office. “Even the word-of-mouth publicity last time was pretty powerful.”
A crowd of 400 people attended last time. DeAngelis mentioned that these kind of shows he assembles are one-of-a-kind evenings since most of the stars never have been together on the same bill.
Besides Preston, the show includes:
Jackie Burns, who holds the distinction of performing the role of Elphaba in the Broadway production of “Wicked” more than any other actress.
Ali Ewoldt, who recently completed more than two years as lead character Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway.
Lisa Howard, who most recently starred on Broadway as Tammy in the Jimmy Buffet musical “Escape to Margaritaville.”
Tony Award nominee Josh Young, who originated the role of John Newton in the Broadway premiere of “Amazing Grace.”
Eugene Gwozdz, who returns as musical director and accompanist with a lengthy string of Broadway national tours to his credit.
The performance will include a choir of high schoolers selected recently by DeAngelis to perform as a backing group during one of the night’s numbers.
“I see my (college-age actress) daughter in a lot of those students,” he said.
The general concert format will be similar to last year’s presentation, with each artist presenting four songs, including those which they are best-known for in their career thus far.
Plus, they also will share stage and career anecdotes, and participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience. DeAngelis clearly sees the lineup as an all-star group. For proof, he recalled Howard’s performance of “It Shoulda Been You” at the 2015 Tony Awards in New York.
“She stopped the crowd at Radio City Music Hall in its tracks,” DeAngelis said. “She just killed it.”
The veteran showman would like to see the fundraiser become an annual event.
“I’m hoping we can grow it enough for that to happen,” he said. “There’s certainly no reason for it not to be.”
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What: Broadway Memories, a cabaret and concert-style mixed musical featuring five Broadway stars performing tunes from musicals and the pop-rock genre with piano accompaniment.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Judson Erne Auditorium, 1400 25th St. in Columbus.
Tickets: $15, $25, $35 and $50 (plus $85 and $100 tickets that include a post-show reception), available at ourhospice.seatyourself.biz
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