On May 18, stars from every edge of the entertainment industry gathered for A Night of Covenant House Stars to raise awareness and funds for homeless youth, who are especially hard hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hosted by Covenant House board members Audra McDonald and CBS’ John Dickerson, the two-hour concert event featured appearances by Morgan Freeman, Dionne Warwick, Martin Short, Zachary Quinto, Rachel Brosnahan and Zachary Levi; readings by Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep; and performances by Jon Bon Jovi, Dolly Parton, Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes and Bobby Conte Thornton, the cast of Broadway’s BKLYN, Jordan Fisher, Keala Settle, Stephanie J. Block, and more.
Every year, approximately four million youth experience homelessness. Through 31 locations in six countries, Covenant House provides shelter and resources to help these youngsters become successful adults. The Broadway community at large became involved after Stephanie J. Block first performed at the Covenant House benefit years ago and learned about the cause. She teamed up with Covenant House board member (and fellow Broadway performer) Capathia Jenkins to found the Broadway Sleep Out, now expanded to the Stage and Screen Sleep Out. The connections continue to grow.
Watch highlights from the benefit concert below, and donate to support homeless youth at SafePlacetoSleep.org.
Alex Newell and the Covenant House Choir sing “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
Arranged by Jason Howland, song mixing by Billy Jay Stein. Musicians: Jason Howland - piano, Trevor Neumann - trumpet, David Mann - alto sax, Dave Riekenberg - tenor sax, Jen Wharton - bass trombone, Kevin Ramessar - guitar, Freddy Hall - guitar, Bernd Schoenhart - guitar, Zev Katz - bass, Antoine Silverman - violin, Chris Jago - percussion, Nick Williams - b3. Licensed courtesy of Universal Music Publishing Group / Songs of Universal.
Ana Villafañe sings “La Alianza” by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Guadalupe Peraza. Performed by Ana Villafañe. Arranged by Jason Howland. Song Mixing by Billy Jay Stein. Musicians: Jason Howland - piano, Trevor Neumann - trumpet, David Mann - alto sax, Dave Riekenberg - tenor sax, Jen Wharton - bass trombone, Kevin Ramessar - guitar, Freddy Hall - guitar, Bernd Schoenhart - guitar, Zev Katz - bass, Antoine Silverman - violin, Chris Jago - percussion, Nick Williams - b3. Licensed courtesy of Frank Wildhorn.
Jordan Fisher sings “Waving Through a Window” (from Dear Evan Hansen) by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Licensed courtesy of Kobalt Music Publishing America Inc.
Michael McElroy and the Broadway Inspirational Voices sing “You Will Be Found” (from Dear Evan Hansen) by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Co-Directed by Michael McElroy and Schele Williams. BIV Music Department: Michael McElroy - Artistic Director, Chris Dilley - Associate Music Director, Adee David, Allen Rene Louis, Jennifer Malenke, Ben Roseberry, Will Stone, Anastasia Talley. Musicians: Jerry DeVore - bass, Isaac Harlan - piano, Joseph Joubert - organ, Anik Oulianine - cello, Chris Parker - guitar, Spencer Cohen - percussion. Vocal Mixing by Tom Gardner. Band Mixing by Rich Mercurio. Video Mixing by Nathaniel J. Wind. BIV Wardrobe Supervisor - John Eric Parker. BIV Director of External Communication - Marcus Paul James. BIV Director of Operations - Anna R. Kaltenbach. Licensed courtesy of Kobalt Music Publishing America Inc.
The Cast of BKLN the Musical (feat. Diane Keaton & Meryl Streep) sing “Heart Behind These Hands” by Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson
Performed by Quentin Earl Darrington, Eden Espinosa, Ramona Keller, Karen Olivo, Julie Reiber, Caren Lyn Tackett, Will Swenson. Arranged by James Sampliner.
“Now Is the Time” from the Songs in the Key of Me program by Cadet (Covenant House alumna) and Crystal Monee Hall
Performed by Cadet (Covenant House alumna), Darrel (resident at Covenant House California), Robert (resident at Covenant House Texas). BIV Teaching Artist Crystal Monee Hall. Arranged by Jason Howland. Musicians: Jason Howland - piano, Trevor Neumann - trumpet, David Mann - alto sax, Dave Riekenberg - tenor sax, Jen Wharton - bass trombone, Kevin Ramessar - guitar, Freddy Hall - guitar, Bernd Schoenhart - guitar, Zev Katz - bass, Antoine Silverman - violin, Chris Jago - percussion, Nick Williams - b3.
“More Ways Than One” from Songs in the Key of Me by V!
Performed by V!, Darrel (Covenant House California), Frankie (Covenant House New Jersey), Gabe (Covenant House New York), Jessie (Covenant House New Jersey). BIV Teaching Artist Troy Anthony. Arranged by Jason Howland. Musicians: Jason Howland - piano, Trevor Neumann - trumpet, David Mann - alto sax, Dave Riekenberg - tenor sax, Jen Wharton - bass trombone, Kevin Ramessar - guitar, Freddy Hall - guitar, Bernd Schoenhart - guitar, Zev Katz - bass, Antoine Silverman - violin, Chris Jago - percussion, Nick Williams - b3.
Dolly Parton sings her song “Try”
Licensed courtesy of Dolly Parton.
Darius de Haas and Capathia Jenkins sing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
Song mixing by Billy Jay Stein. Musicians: Jason Howland - piano, Trevor Neumann - trumpet, David Mann - alto sax, Dave Riekenberg - tenor sax, Jen Wharton - bass trombone, Kevin Ramessar - guitar, Freddy Hall - guitar, Bernd Schoenhart - guitar, Zev Katz - bass, Antoine Silverman - violin, Chris Jago - percussion, Nick Williams - b3. Licensed courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing / Jobete Music.
Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes, and Bobby Conte Thornton “Your Song” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Arranged by Jason Howland. Song mixing by Billy Jay Stein. Musicians: Jason Howland - piano, Trevor Neumann - trumpet, David Mann - alto sax, Dave Riekenberg - tenor sax, Jen Wharton - bass trombone, Kevin Ramessar - guitar, Freddy Hall - guitar, Bernd Schoenhart - guitar, Zev Katz - bass, Antoine Silverman - violin, Chris Jago - percussion, Nick Williams - b3. Licensed courtesy of Universal Music Group Publishing / Universal Songs of Polygram International Inc.
Stephanie J. Block sings “Not While I’m Around” (from Sweeney Todd) by Stephen Sondheim
Arranged by Jason Howland. Musicians: Jason Howland - piano, Trevor Neumann - trumpet, David Mann - alto sax, Dave Riekenberg - tenor sax, Jen Wharton - bass trombone, Kevin Ramessar - guitar, Freddy Hall - guitar, Bernd Schoenhart - guitar, Zev Katz - bass, Antoine Silverman - violin, Chris Jago - percussion, Nick Williams - b3. Licensed courtesy of Warner Chappell Music / Rilting Music.
Jake David Smith sings “Something to Hold On To” by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson
Arranged/orchestrated by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson. Licensed courtesy of Kate Anderson / Elyssa Samsel.
Shereen Pimentel sings “Somewhere” (from West Side Story) by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim
Piano accompaniment by Meghan Zervoulis. Licensed courtesy of Universal Music Publishing Group / Universal-Polygram o.b.o. Leonard Bernstein Music.
Audra McDonald sings “Over the Rainbow” (from The Wizard of Oz) by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg