On June 2, kick off Pride month at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center with a performance of Pride Anthems, the songs and music that defined the Pride Movement, performed by Broadway stars Brian J. Nash, Kevin Kirkwood-Smith, Natalie Joy Johnson, and Jon-Michael Reese.
“Pride Anthems will be an all-out musical celebration of songs that represent the legacy of the Pride Movement,” said WHBPAC Executive Director Julienne Penza-Boone. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Pride Live, an organization dedicated to accelerating awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community via social advocacy and community engagement to advance the fight for full equality.
“This tour will take Pride Anthems from the WHBPAC Mainstage right to The Kennedy Center. Part of the WHBPAC mission is to present programming that reflects the needs of the community, and to be a safe and inclusive space for all on the East End,” said WHBPAC Marketing Director Heather Draskin.
Pride Anthems was initially conceptualized by music executive Toby Tumarkin, who was inspired by the mission of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. Pride Anthems is a show for all ages to come together in song and celebration of where the LGBTQ+ community has come from and how far it has come since Stonewall.
“The creation of the SNMVC is a truly momentous event and one that we at IMG Artists feel strongly about supporting and celebrating,” said Tumarkin. “We also believe that performing arts centers and music festivals are the perfect network to bring people and communities together to help to spread the news about this important organization and their work, across the country.”
Under the direction of Brian J. Nash, Pride Anthems will bring the music of the Pride Movement to the stage as a vibrant celebration of the music of Madonna, Erasure, Donna Summer, Lady Gaga, and more. Nash is an award-winning pianist, singer, musical director, orchestrator, and producer who has been the Musical Director of many off-Broadway and regional musicals.
Actor Kevin Smith Kirkwood is best known for his role in the Broadway hit “Kinky Boots.” He was seen on television in The CW’s Katy Keene, and appeared as a featured performer in the 2019 World Pride Parade.
Jon-Michael Reese is an award-winning queer performer based in Brooklyn. He was last seen in the Tony Award winning A Strange Loop and performed in various plays and musicals across the country, from Matt in The Fantasticks to James Baldwin in Jimmy and Lorraine.
The show starts at 8 PM.Tickets are $67 to $90. Visit whbpac.org.