MUSIC

Boston, MA – Who is the man the New York Times recognized as "one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history?” That’s Leonard Bernstein – Lenny to his friends. On Tuesday, October 25th, at the Lyric Stage Theatre in Boston, Upstage Lung Cancer, a Boston based non-profit, hosts a musical tribute to a man whose passion and inexhaustible zest for life was translated into electrifying music. Lenny packed many lifetimes into his 72 years until his untimely death from lung cancer in 1990.

Upstage Lung Cancer’s third annual concert features some of the finest, award-winning Boston musical theater celebrities, including Leigh Barrett, Brian De Lorenzo, Hildy Grossman, and Scott Wahle. They will perform songs from Bernstein’s legendary Broadway musicals, such as On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide and West Side Story, as well as beautiful songs from his less familiar works. Joyce Kulhawik, Emmy-winning arts and entertainment critic and three-time cancer survivor, will return as emcee. Pianist, Timothy Evans, returns as music director along with Ilyse Robbins as choreographer and director. Ms. Robbins recently earned rave reviews for her direction and choreography of “Forty Second Street” at the Stoneham Theater.

Susan Gessner is president of Upstage Lung Cancer, and a lung cancer survivor herself. “If you ask people what the number one cancer killer of women is, most wouldn’t know that the correct answer is lung cancer,” says Gessner. “Lung cancer kills more people than breast, ovarian, uterine and colon cancer combined!” To date there are no early methods of detection. Founder and performer, Hildy Grossman, adds: “Our mission is to use musical entertainment to raise awareness of and funds for lung cancer early detection research and more effective treatments. An Evening with Lenny will entertain, enlighten and help research to flourish.”

Upstage Lung Cancer is also pleased to introduce two distinguished guests. Dr. Rebecca Suk Heist, of MGH Cancer Center, will receive a major scientific grant from Upstage Lung Cancer in partnership with the LUNGevity Foundation for her research on tumor genetic changes in lung cancer and the development of clinical trials of novel agents in lung cancer treatment. This year’s Upstage Lung Cancer Fan Award will be presented to Deborah Morosini, MD, outstanding lung cancer activist and sister of Dana Reeve, who died of lung cancer at 44. Dana Reeve was an actress, singer and widow of famed actor Christopher Reeve. Prior recipients were Red Sox announcer Jerry Remy and esteemed researcher Thomas J. Lynch, MD.