Michael Childers knows how to throw a party. But his parties serve a very important purpose.
Over the past 16 years, Childers' expertly staged "One Night Only" musical extravaganzas have raised approximately $4 million for numerous Coachella Valley nonprofits. Last year's event raised $650,000 for the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center in Rancho Mirage.
This year's show might have been the best yet. Held Nov. 8 at the McCallum Theatre, the theme was the golden age of Las Vegas, and it featured incredible performances by Broadway stars and well-known local performers.
Jason Graae performs "Vegas" at Michael Childers' "One Night Only". Lani Garfield.
Jason Graae opened the show, performing Jerry Herman's "Vegas" amid a bevy of showgirls. While this set the bar very high, what followed was nearly two hours of meticulously executed glitz and glam, showcasing the extraordinary talents of Valarie Pettiford, Alex Getlin, Nickerson-Rossi dancers, Debby Boone, Nicolas King and Seth Sikes, Jonathan Sharp, Jessica Hendy, Julie Garnyé, John Boswell, Clint Holmes, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Debbie Gravitte, Kelli Rabke, Billy Stritch, Chris Mann, Scott Coulter, Carole J. Bufford, Klea Blackhurst, Tamika Lawrence, James Snyder, Nita Whitaker, Daniel LeClaire and students from MTU Musical Theatre University.
Scott Coulter's direction and Todd Schroeder's musical direction kept the show lively and perfectly paced as the audience was taken through the music of Las Vegas, starting in 1950 and going to 1970.
Standout performances included those from Lawrence, who rocked the crowd with her energetic rendition of "Proud Mary"; King and Sikes, who hilarious duet of "Danke Schoen" brought down the house; Snyder, whose take on "Suspicious Minds" hit all the right notes; and Bufford's beautifully executed "Non, Je ne Regrette Rien." An amazing all-cast celebration of "Viva Las Vegas" ended the show, giving the audience a big, splashy Vegas-worthy spectacle rarely seen outside of Sin City.
Tamika Lawrence rocked the house performing "Proud Mary". Lani Garfield.
Immediately following the show, sponsors, guests and performers headed to Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, where they were treated to an elaborate VIP reception, dinner and additional performances from the cast.
"One Night Only," was actually a two-night event, commencing with a pre-show cast party Nov. 7 at the Palm Desert home of event sponsors Diane and Hal Gershowitz. Performers mingled with sponsors and media, and when Billy Stritch took to the piano, guests were treated to some very intimate musical performances.
James Snyder and Chris Mann perform "Viva Las Vegas". Lani Garfield.
"One Night Only" received an endowment from Helene Galen and Jamie Kabler. Platinum sponsors were Garry Kief and Barry Manilow, Harold Matzner and Steve Tobin, Johnny Krupa and the Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation. Angel sponsors were Diane and Hal Gershowitz, Peggy Jacobs and Missy and Kent McCarthy. Gold sponsors were Marylynn and Andrew Gladstein, El Paseo Jewelers, Dorothy and Melvyn Lefkowitz, Jet Blue, Palm Springs Life, Pearle Rae Levey and Western Wind Foundation.
Honorary co-chairs were Galen, Kief, Manilow, Matzner, Tobin and Krupa. Event co-chairs were Barbara Fromm and Terri Ketover.
About the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center
The center's mission is to counsel physically, sexually and emotionally abused children and to focus on prevention, community education and breaking the cycle of generational abuse. No child is turned away due to a family's inability to pay.
For more information, visit barbarasinatrachildrenscenter.org.