Broadway Comes To The Marconi Automotive Museum. Covenant House Charity Event An Afternoon to Remember.

The Marconi Automotive Museum in Orange County, California has hosted many events over the years, but last Sunday's "An Afternoon of Broadway Stars" has to be at the top of the list of special events. Benefiting Covenant House California, an "A List" of performers came from all over the country to perform what could have been described as "Broadway's Greatest Hits." All of the artists who are currently in shows or in rehearsals for upcoming musicals literally dropped what they were doing to lend their support to this most worthy charity. Covenant House deals with the problem of homeless youth in America (as well as internationally) and provides hundreds of beds nightly for those needy children. Even more impressive than the performances of these Broadway stars was their willingness to give of their time and talents to support Covenant House and their programs. One of the artists literally arrived minutes before the show began. For nearly two hours it was one amazing performance after another; one standing ovation after standing ovation. By the end of the afternoon everyone knew they had just been a part of something very, very special.

A big thank you has to go out to Bo and Dick Marconi, The Marconi Foundation For Kids and The Marconi Automotive Museum for hosting such a wonderful event. For more information on Covenant House California, you can go to: http://www.coventanthousecalifornia.com/.

What a way to greet your guests.....I like it!

Lauren Paff, Debbie and Kim Nocita share a

little food and drink during the cocktail hour

before the program.

It is always fun to walk around the museum before

the start of an event. Here Kim and "COLauren"

stop next to a Michael Schumacher Formula One

Ferrari.

How about a couple of Indy Cars? The one on

the left was driven by Al Unser Jr., the other by

Mario Andretti.

If you're going to have one F50 you might as well

have two, right? Here COLauren stands between

$1.7 million of Ferrari.

This Marlboro car was driven by the late

Ayrton Senna.

Some of the vintage cars raced by Dick Marconi

and his son, John.

There is horsepower in every corner of the

museum...some have a little more than others.

How about 8,000 hp!!!

These three give the phrase "resale red" a bit

more punch....

This bad boy Ferrari is a one of a kind built for

The Sultan of Brunei. It not only has a specially

blended paint color but also an F1 transmission

designed by Frank Williams that is valued at

$1,000.000.00! I'd hate to have to send that

trans out for repair!

COLauren and Kim with the main man, Uncle

Dick.

Kimberly and Debbie in front of Deb's favorite,

a Gullwing Mercedes.

Priscilla "Bo" Marconi welcoming friends and

guests and also introducing Kevin Ryan, President

of Covenant House International.

Rita Harvey and Carter Calvert doing a Judy

Garland medley. Ms. Harvey starred in "Fidler

on the Roof" on Broadway. She also made her

Broadway debut performing the lead role of

Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera"

after performing the role with the second national

tour. Ms. Calvert's Broadway credits include the

Original Cast Album and touring productions of

"It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues."

Neil Berg who directed and emceed the program.

Mr. Berg is currently the composer for the new

Broadway musical "Grumpy Old Men". His latest

show, "The Man Who Would Be King", recently opened

at the Rubicon Theater in California.

Danny Zolli and Rob Evan doing a song from the

musical "Rock of Ages". The song, "Don't Stop

Believing" by Journey rocked the house! Mr.

Zolli has starred nationally and internationally

in "Evita", "Sweeney Todd", "Joeseph Dreamcoat",

and many, many others. Mr. Evan has starred in

the original Broadway cast of "Jekyll & Hyde", playing

the role for three years. He also appeared on Broadway

as Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables".

It was hard to pick a favorite from the afternoon

but this might have been the one. Craig Schulman

and Rita Harvey doing "The Phantom of the Opera"

duet. Mr. Schulman is the only actor in the world

to have portrayed three of the greatest musical

theater roles: The Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera",

Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables", and the title roles

in "Jekyll & Hyde".

Mr. Schulman...."Music of the Night" from

"The Phantom of the Opera". Unbelievable.

A final number with some of the kids from

Covenant House. What a moment.....

COLauren and Kimberly with Danny Zolli.

Rita Harvey spending some time with COLauren

and Kim. What you don't see in this picture is

Ms. Harvey's little boy, Lucas, at the end of her

arm! From Broadway star to "Mom" in minutes!

Here, Craig Schulman, talking about Covenant

House with Kim and COLauren. His comments

were the same as all the other performers...

"When Neil calls for Covenant House, we come. It's

that simple".

Danny and COLauren having "a moment".

Danny and Rob called this their "Prom Picture".

Senior year, Broadway High!!!!