Former First Lady Laura Bush to be Honored With a Special Performance by Covenant House Youth & Broadway Stars

NEW YORK, May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeless youth striving to turn their lives around will get a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform with Broadway stars for former First Lady Laura Bush on Thursday, June 3rd on the stage of Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

At this unique A Night of Broadway Stars event, Mrs. Bush will be presented Covenant House's first-ever Beacon of Hope Award, honoring her support of the homeless young people who receive life-saving help at Covenant House.

"A Night of Broadway Stars gives our kids a chance to show their talent, their courage and their goodness," says Kevin M. Ryan, President of Covenant House.  "After a very tough start in life, they have found the strength to get off the streets.  Our kids have worked incredibly hard to prepare for this night, and we are honored that former First Lady Laura Bush will be with us to hear their voices and to be inspired by their lives. It will be a night our kids and the rest of us attending will never forget."

A Night of Broadway Stars is hosted by renowned composer and lyricist Neil Berg, whose credits include The Prince and The Pauper, Grumpy Old Men and 100 Years of Broadway, now the number one Broadway touring concert in the United States.  The show will feature a full revue of performances by some of Broadway's biggest stars, including Rita Moreno, who is the only female performer to have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy.

During this inspirational and powerful evening of entertainment, Ms. Moreno will be joined by ten young people currently living at Covenant House, 40 members of the world-renowned Newark School of Performing Arts, and Broadway stars: Rita Harvey, Capathia Jenkins, Darius deHaas, Craig Schuman, Stephanie Block, Sophia Ramos, and Bev and Kirby Ward.

All proceeds raised by A Night of Broadway Stars will benefit the homeless young people served by Covenant House.

"We are in the midst of an economic downturn in which we all have difficult decisions to make," said Ryan. "But for the kids being trafficked by pimps or starving on street corners, the issue remains the same in good times and bad ... Does anybody care? This event is an opportunity for compassionate people to stand side by side with our kids and let them know we care."

A Night of Broadway Stars begins at 6pm with a cocktail reception. Prior to that, Mrs. Laura Bush will attend a pre-show VIP reception. The show begins at 7:30 pm, followed by a dessert reception with the stars. For ticket information, contact Valerie D'Ambrosi at VD'[email protected] or at 212-727-4051.

About Covenant House

Founded in 1972, Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in the Americas helping homeless kids, providing 24/7 crisis care and ongoing support at 21 facilities, www.NINELINE.org, Covenant House NINELINE (1-800-999-9999) and www.covenanthouse.org.

SOURCE Covenant House