Featured Appearances by Bryan Cranston, Alexandra Billings,
Eric Nelsen, Emily Skinner, Elizabeth Stanley and many more
Broadway legends Gary Morris (Les Misérables & La Bohéme) and Rema Webb (The Color Purple, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, etc.) pulled back the curtain on the DEA Educational Foundation’s (DEAEF) 20th anniversary celebration on Thursday, March 25 for a show packed with stars from the theater scene. By the close of the show, more than $71,000 had been donated to support their after-school programs in over 50 cities across the U.S. The show featured performances and appearances by the following:
- Max Bartos (Sing Street)
- Alexandra Billings (Wicked)
- Bryan Cranston (2x Tony Award Winner – All the Way & Network)
- Danny Gardner (NY Spectacular starring the Rockettes & Dames at Sea)
- Larry Gatlin (The Will Rogers Follies)
- Kelli James (Les Misérables)
- Chrissie McDonald (Les Misérables)
- Eric Nelsen (Tony Award Nominee – The Inheritance)
- Rachel Resheff (Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot: The Musical & Shrek the Musical)
- Michael James Scott (Aladdin)
- Emily Skinner (Tony Award Nominee – Side Show, The Cher Show, Prince of Broadway, Billy Elliott & The Full Monty)
- Elizabeth Stanley (Grammy Award Winner –Jagged Little Pill)
- Rena Strober (Les Misérables)
During the event, DEAEF President and CEO, Jill L. Roberts, and DEA’s Chief of Community Outreach, Sean Fearns gave special remarks. Fortunately, for those that missed the broadcast, you can still view the program and donate to the DEAEF by visiting: http://broadway.
As Bryan Cranston stated in the broadcast, “During the Covid-19 pandemic, the DEA Educational Foundation quickly pivoted to reach America’s youth and communities virtually, as they felt although nothing beats human-to-human interaction when it comes to education and role modeling, they just couldn’t give up making a difference for those that they serve. It’s great to see so many Broadway stars giving their all to benefit this worthy cause and I hope that you come to see us in NY as the theater world begins to open back up. I really appreciate your consideration in supporting the DEA Educational Foundation with a generous donation.”
“It was an honor to have so many impressive Broadway stars join the Foundation in celebrating 20 years of impact and our drug abuse prevention efforts in our communities. The talent brought tremendous inspiration to our mission and we are moved by their dedication to making a difference.” – Jill L. Roberts
The extraordinary event celebrated the DEA Educational Foundation’s two-decade span of making an impact with youth and communities across the US. Through education and prevention, the DEAEF provides the public with critical information about the dangers of drug abuse and instills hope through its positive and healthy after-school programs. The foundation continues to inspire youth by building their confidence, providing a safe outlet for self-expression and offering an opportunity to focus on team building, all while under the supervision of a dynamic mentor.