The North American casts of the smash-hit musical Wicked will host cabaret performances of Defying Inequality, a special benefit evening promoting equality and civil rights, on January 12. The one-night-only events will be held simultaneously in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Louisville where the Wicked national tour is currently performing.
The events will feature incoming Elphaba Nicole Parker, Ben Cameron, Marty Thomas, Kathy Deitch, Ari Gold, The Glamazons, Mimi Imfurst, Eve Starr, Kelly King, and Brandi Chavonne Massey in New York; Eden Espinosa, Megan Hilty, Shoshana Bean and Jo Anne Worley in Los Angeles; Brian Justin Crum, Kristoffer Cusick, Bridie Carroll, Ted Ely, Heidi Kettenring and Dee Roscioli in Chicago; and Donna Vivino, Richard H. Blake, Ben Liebert and Myra Lucretia Taylor in Louisville. Headliners will also be joined by local theater performers from each respective city.
Each Defying Inequality event will feature musical performances that support Wicked's theme of acceptance and illuminate the musical’s message that people should not be judged on first impressions.
The concerts will specifically benefit Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Garden State Equality and Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, all non-profit charitable organizations working to legislate equality and protect civil rights for the gay and lesbian community. Proceeds from the evening will be distributed equally among the four charities.