'Broadway Bound' to help homeless

Join the fun with Lazarus House as they enjoy a revue of Broadway show tunes performed by local high school and college students at 7 p.m. Friday, July 16, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Tickets are $10. Each year, "Broadway Bound" show earnings are dedicated to a local charity or community organization selected by group founder Mark Michelson Jr. For the second year, all ticket sales will go to Lazarus House, a community-based, nonprofit emergency shelter and center for transitional living and a community outreach service provider serving people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and are connected to St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia or western rural Kane County.

This year's production consists of musical numbers from: "Wicked," "The Lion King," "Next to Normal," "The Sound of Music," "Jekyll and Hyde" and "Aida." Michelson, along with Elgin resident Lauren Taylor, an upcoming junior at Millikin University, are directing the production. Rachel Benzing of South Elgin, an upcoming freshman Loyola Marymount University, is choreographing the show.

"Broadway Bound" was initiated in 2005 by Michelson when he assembled a group of like-minded students.

"I thought we had a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community with the knowledge and skill we gained over the course of our artistic development," Mickelson said.

"Broadway Bound is a unique outlet for the cast members to explore their personal passions," states Michelson. "Lazarus House is a group which I feel works similarly to aid those who become engulfed with monetary restrains, which I think are the key factor in inhibiting the pursuit of an individual's personal passions and ambitions."

Michelson, who graduated this past June from St. Charles North High School, will be attending the University of Illinois this fall, makes it a point to see as many musicals and concerts by local high schools and colleges as he can throughout the year in order to gather a group of strong young talent to participate in "Broadway Bound" during the summer months.

This annual event has gained assistance through sponsorships from Colonial Café, Big Grin Studios, JEMMM Connections, Bowled Expressions, and Onesti Entertainment.

For information, call Lazarus House community relations manager Julie Van Buskirk at (630) 587-2144.