Cast members of the national touring companies of Wicked and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, along with Chicago company members from Hamilton, used their day off to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on at Thalia Hall.
Titled "We Three Shows: A Broadway Holiday Benefit," this cabaret-style concert benefitted Chicago House and Social Service Agency along with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Backed by a full band, the songs ranged from Whitney Houston singles to showtunes such as "My Favorite Things," from The Sound of Music. John Michael Dias and Jay McKenzie brought down the house with their emotional duet of Sam Smith's "Lay Me Down."
There were also dance segments throughout and an exciting sword-fighting scene from two Hamilton cast members.
Emcee and Wicked company manager Steve Quinn offered packages, including backstage passes to meet Beautiful star Sarah Bockel and a chance to watch Wicked's Kate Morrissey paint herself green before a show. The big money maker was a walk-on role for Wicked during a train-station scene; three winners were awarded the bid for a total of $12,000.
The evening raised more than $55,000 in support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
For more information about the services, visit ChicagoHouse.org and BroadwayCares.org . For tickets and times to the shows, visit BroadwayInChicago.com .
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn