Broadway Supports LIHSA 2024: A Night of Music, Celebration, and Support for Arts Education
The sixth annual Broadway Supports LIHSA concert was held on Monday, November 4, 2024, dazzling audience members and raising vital funds for arts education at our school. Co-produced by Stephen DeAngelis and Jerome Vivona, the evening was themed “Behind Every Great Musical, There’s a Great Leading Lady” and the songs and narrative celebrated the profound impact of women in musical theater. True to the theme, the evening featured five of Broadway’s leading ladies who were, indeed, the epitome of greatness, performing iconic songs that were some of Broadway’s greatest hits.
The evening began with a special performance of “Show People” from “Curtains” by LIHSA students who rehearsed the number over the weeks leading up to the concert with Jerome Vivona. It highlighted the talent and dedication of LIHSA students in a fresh take on the high-energy number.
Beautiful performances by our BSL Leading Ladies were as such:
Mia Pinero, known for her roles in “West Side Story” and “Sweeney Todd,” captivated the audience with “Green Finch and Linnet Bird” from “Sweeney Todd,” followed by a stirring rendition of “Burn” from “Hamilton.”
Nyla Watson, a standout in “Waitress,” brought a soulful interpretation to “I Didn’t Plan It” from “Sweeney Todd” and later performed a haunting version of “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess.”
Kissy Simmons, renowned for her role in “The Lion King,” joined the students for an emotionally charged rendition of “Shadowland,” later singing “Cry Me a River.”
Keri Rene Fuller, known for her work in “Six: The Musical,” impressed with “Lost in the Wilderness” from “Children of Eden” and followed it with “Heart of Stone” from “Swing!”
Christiane Noll, a two-time Drama Desk Award nominee for “Ragtime” and “Jekyll and Hyde,” showcased her incredible vocal range with “Once Upon a Dream” from “Jekyll & Hyde” and “Hello Young Lovers” from “The King and I.” Later, she delivered a heart-wrenching version of “Send in the Clowns” from “A Little Night Music.”
The second half of the concert featured more remarkable performances, including Nyla Watson’s powerful “Our Lady of the Underground” from “Hadestown,” Keri Rene Fuller’s moving “A Way Back to When” from “Title of Show,” and Kissy Simmons’ emotional “You’ll Be in My Heart” from “Tarzan.”
The night culminated in a grand finale, with the full company performing “Give My Regards to Broadway,” followed by a high-energy encore of “I’m a Woman” from “Smokey Joe’s Café,” leaving the audience cheering and inspired.
Broadway Supports LIHSA is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of the importance of arts education and the transformative power of theater. The more than $11,000 raised throughout the evening will support LIHSA’s mission to provide students with an exceptional arts education, ensuring that future generations of artists continue to thrive. The partnership between Broadway’s best and the talented students of LIHSA proved once again that the future of musical theater is in good hands.
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