Cast Member Close to the Cause Leading the Charge
Broadway cast members from the National Tour of THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards® including Best Musical, will be donating their time and talents for a fundraising performance of “Once On This Island,” a musical concert appropriate for all ages to support individuals living with mental illness on Monday, Nov. 9.
Cast member Christopher Shyer, Broadway actor, producer and co-director, led this effort because of a personal tie to the cause, having an older brother struggling with schizophrenia.
“I think what motivated me to seek out the chance to help raise money for Sheppard Pratt Health System and the work that they do, is that in some way, call it karma, I can help contribute to the greater good… One hundred percent of the proceeds from this show will go to supporting Sheppard Pratt, so they can continue the good work they do, helping people like my brother.”
“The enthusiasm and collaboration by Christopher and his cast mates on this charity project has been truly amazing, and we are so pleased to partner for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Jessica Kapustin, director of marketing and public relations at Sheppard Pratt.
“It will be an intimate, high-energy show for all ages, added Sheppard Pratt Vice President of Philanthropy Marguerite Kelley. “Those who choose to join us are in for a really special experience, and all for a worthy cause.”
“Once On This Island” is a captivating, family-friendly legend of romance between a peasant girl and a rich boy whom she saves from death. Set on a Caribbean island, the musical is about a girl who uses the power of love to bring a diverse community together.
One hundred percent of net proceeds from the production will benefit Sheppard Pratt patients and students.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and beer and wine will be sold for 30 minutes. Curtain will be at 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale for $45 for adults and $30 for children 15 and under, and can be purchased at this link: http://bit.ly/1FPhhi4. Day-of tickets will cost $50, if available. The Conference Center is located on Sheppard Pratt’s Towson campus at 6501 N. Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland 21204.
Only 200 tickets are available, and are expected to sell out quickly. Please contact Kristina Schiller with any questions at kschiller@sheppardpratt.org or 410-938-5010.
About Sheppard Pratt
Sheppard Pratt is the largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, developmental disability, special education, and social services in the country. A nationwide resource, Sheppard Pratt provides services across a comprehensive continuum of care, spanning both hospital- and community-based resources. Since its founding in 1853, Sheppard Pratt has been innovating the field through research, best practice implementation, and a focus on improving the quality of mental health care on a global level. Sheppard Pratt has been consistently recognized as a top national psychiatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.