Man About Town: The Wit and Wisdom of Noel Coward

 

 

By: John Weatherford

Joseph Macchia, president and founder of Cabaret Cares/Help is on the Way Today, presented Eric Michael Gillett’s benefit show.   Man About Town: The Wit and Wisdom of Noel Coward was created by Mr. Gillett and is a delightful, insightful and fanciful evening of cabaret.

Cabaret Cares/Help is on the Way Today was created eight years ago by Mr. Macchia to help children who are HIV/Aids infected. It touches the recipients on an immediate and personal level. The non-profit organization dedicates 100% of its contributions to its efforts. Over the last eight years many Broadway and Cabaret performers have dedicated their time and talents to raise funds to keep this important work alive.

Eric Michael Gillett, the first to be presented The Spirit Award, has assisted this wonderful organization over all of those years. Because of him, and many others like him, Cabaret Cares has vigorously grown. Having started by supporting 22 children, it is now supplying services to over 600. The idea that Broadway and Cabaret artists have circled Mr. Macchia’s efforts is a testament to the heart and soul of the community.

Cabaret Cares has created benefit shows, not only for general funds, but also for specific needs: basic things that most of us take for granted but are needed today. Items and services not covered by the larger organizations focusing on the physical health of the children. Items and services that provide the day to day needs of normalcy and services like birthday parties and gifts. Items and services that often fall in the cracks of bureaucracy. For example, there have been benefit concerts for backpacks, summer camp supplies, school supplies, clothing and even, at one point, a motorized chair for a bedridden child.

Mr. Gillett was joined for the benefit by Robin Dicker Westle, Cookie Stark, Kip Benton and Eva Kantor. Musical direction and arrangements were provided by the gifted and gracious Jeff Cubeta. Cabaret Cares/Help is on the Way Today, as always, is strongly supported by Kenny Bell and The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

The annual Gala 8 is Sunday May 18, 2014 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. It will be honoring Julie Wilson, Sidney Myer and Arsenio Amadis. Doors open at 5pm. It will be a star packed, talent infused evening of joy and expectation. It is certainly an event to attend.

Photos/Video: Russ Weatherford