Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd-annual Voices for the Voiceless: Stars for Foster Kids concert on Monday, September 12th at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
This special event, presented by Beachbody.com, Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, brings together the brightest stars of stage and screen to raise awareness about the plight of kids in foster care, particularly those aged 13 to 21 whom many consider “unadoptable” because of their age.
Proceeds from the evening directly benefit You Gotta Believe, New York’s only nonprofit specifically focused on finding permanent families for youth in foster care aged 13 years and older. Rosie Perez, Gloria Gaynor, Megan Hilty, Chita Rivera, Sherri Saum, Rachel Crow, Marc Shaiman, Janice Huff, Caroline Rhea, Alec Mapa, Alice Ripley, BD Wong, Charles Busch, Liz Callaway, Ann Hampton Callaway, Orfeh, Adrienne Warren, Anika Larsen, Keala Settle, Richard Kind, Tony Yazbeck, Roz Ryan, Michelle Collins, Lisa Mordente, Liz Larsen, Josh Colley, Lilla Crawford, Christine Pedi, Janet Metz, Olga Merediz and Carole Demas will join Rudetsky and Wesley for this year’s event, with more performers to be announced in the coming weeks. Ticket prices range from $47 to $199 and are available at Ticketmaster.com.
“Our inaugural event last year was welcomed with such excitement and support that we couldn’t wait to partner with You Gotta Believe again this year. All of these amazing stars are completely donating their time and talents to support these kids. It’s going to be an inspiring night full of love and hope!” Wesley said.
“This is my favorite combination: Broadway, amazing stars and helping the world! You will experience once-in-a-lifetime performances and help these kids get the family they deserve!” Rudetsky added.
Rudetsky and Wesley conceptualized the event in 2015 after they were working with the Council on Adoptable Children and You Gotta Believe to adopt a child out of foster care, and the organizations abruptly suffered major cuts from governmental funding. In a matter of weeks, the first Voices for the Voiceless concert was born, featuring memorable performances and moments from Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Antwone Fisher, Rachel Crow, Darren Criss, Marc Shaiman, Megan Hilty, Alec Mapa, Lilla Crawford, Janice Huff, Eden Espinosa, Kate Shindle, Caroline Rhea, Charlene Tilton and many more.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Seth and James are creating another magical evening for youth in foster care who need families for life.” said Gretchen Beidl, Board President of You Gotta Believe. “We envision a day when no child or young adult is left to face life alone. There is much work to be done and the support that comes from this benefit will help us do it!” added You Gotta Believe’s Executive Director and CEO, Susan Grundberg.
“We are now creating a path for youth coming up behind us in the foster care system. It’s one thing for people to say that our voice matters, and another for people to show that our voice matters. We see that our work is beginning to make a change but there is more work to be done because thousands of youth will still be aging out to homelessness when we should be connecting them to families. Nobody should age out!” Brieanna Hayes, former child in foster care who now serves as an Advocate for Youth through You Gotta Believe’s Nobody Ages Out Youth Movement.
Every year, nearly 25,000 kids age out of foster care in the U.S., left on their own to make it into adulthood without the safety net of a forever family to provide the security and comfort most of us take for granted. As many as 50 percent of youth who age out of foster care will experience homelessness. In New York City, there are about 1,300 kids awaiting adoption right now. There are an additional 700+ kids on the verge of aging out alone—many of whom were deemed ‘unadoptable’ by the system long ago. As each day goes by, they are one day closer to being pushed out onto their own without a family safety net unless an adoption takes place.
Generous support for this year’s event is provided by Beachbody.com, Jujamcyn Theaters, Charter Communications, Gretchen Beidl & Michael Willner, The Barbara Bradley Baekgaard Family Foundation, Discovery Communications, Digicel, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, AMC Networks, JetBlue, Jonathan and Lizzie Tisch, Playbill, Inc., Blue Fin, LionTree LLC, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Burba Hayes, Edward McBride, Citibank, Middletown Honda, Arlene Gail, Pat O’Brien, and James & Mary Kay Clark. WNYC serves as the official media partner.
For more information about tickets to and sponsorship opportunities for Voices for the Voiceless: Stars for Foster Kids, visit YouGottaBelieve.org/voices.
