Now in its 34th year, the Jane Elissa Extravaganza – an annual benefit for the Jane Elissa Endowment Fund for Leukemia/Lymphoma and Cancer Research, founded in 1989, when her mother was diagnosed with leukemia – was held on Monday, November 18, in the 9th-floor ballroom of the Times Square Marriott Marquis. The intimate evening with the stars of NYC and beyond, hosted by the ever-engaging two-time Tony-winning producer, singer, and actor Dale Badway, featured blockbuster performances by The Boy Band Project (Travis Nesbitt, Sam Harvey, Nic Metcalf, and Jonah Mayor), Megan Thomas, Cassie Blanchette, Ashlyn Combs, Diana Huey, Badway, and others, who donated their talents to support this important cause. The entertainment also included songs from three new shows coming soon to the New York stage: Dear Ruth; The Monarch Butterfly; and Dark of the Moon.
Along with the musical numbers (of show tunes, American standards, boy-band covers, pop hits, and originals) there were touching tributes honoring the late soap-opera stars Johnny Wactor and Jackie Zeman (General Hospital), who supported the fundraiser and appeared in previous years, and lawyer/CPA Ilene Zatkin-Butler, Treasurer of the Theatre World Awards (for which Badway serves as President), who passed just a few days before the benefit. And Jane Elissa was surprised by being brought up on stage twice – first to be surrounded and sung to by The Boy Band Project, and later to be acknowledged for her well-deserved Citation from New York’s City Council for her 34 years of dedication to her cause, with more than $1 million raised for cancer research.
An array of silent and live auction lots and raffle packages (with tickets to Broadway shows, Playbills signed by the stars, gift cards for midtown restaurants, theater-themed artworks created by Jane, and more) were up for bid, and a selection of items from the Jane Elissa Mini Boutique (a collection of her unique handmade creations, available online at Hats for Health) were up for sale, with proceeds going to the Endowment Fund. Attendees were also treated to goodie bags and tables filled with delicious appetizers, snacks, and desserts.
If you couldn’t make it to this year’s live event, you can make a purchase or get contact information on how to make a donation to the Jane Elissa Endowment Fund for Leukemia/Lymphoma and Cancer Research online. Thanks to Jane, the cast of performers, the benefit committee (Annie Albarian, M.D., Michael James Caldwell, Maria Colon, AnneMarie Donelin, Terry Jacobs Robin Kaufman, Steve Kaufman, Jennifer Nason-Brown, and Debra Rosenstock), and everyone who came out for their invaluable contributions and a wonderful, entertaining, and meaningful evening. You can look forward to the 35th anniversary Extravaganza in 2025.
