FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, CHICAGO, IL - - - Season of Concern, the Chicagoland theatre community's fundraising effort that provides compassionate care to those in our community who are experiencing the effects of catastrophic illness and provides support annually to Chicago-based HIV/AIDS service organizations, will present the 10th annual Larry Sloan Awards at 7pm on Monday, April 9, 2018, at Goodman Theatre.
E. Faye Butler and Honey West will headline a Cabaret for Care, which will also feature local talent with an awards ceremony and pre-show VIP reception. Sponsorships for the event include Actors Equity Association, The Actors Fund, Broadway in Chicago, Goodman Theatre, Footlights, and Windy City Media Group.
Additional Chicago talent performing includes Christine Bunuan, Ariana Burks, Sydney Charles, Matt Crowle, Mark D. Kaplan, Collette Todd, and Nancy Voigts. The performance will be directed by Steve Scott, with Musical Direction by Mark Elliott.
This year the Larry Sloan Awards will be presented in three categories:
The Advocate Award, presented to a person in the theatre community who goes above and beyond in their support of Season of Concern, will recognize BJ Jones. As the Artistic Director of Northlight Theatre for 20 seasons, he has remained steadfast in his support of Season of Concern.
The Heritage Award, presented to a person ( or organization ) with a long history of supporting Season of Concern, will recognize Lookingglass Theatre Company. Founded in 1988 by graduates of Northwestern University, Lookingglass Theatre has shown leadership and compassion to the mission of Season of Concern for many years.
The Legacy Award, presented to a person who has consistently and passionately been a trailblazer on behalf of Season of Concern, will recognize Eugene Dizon. Currently the Business Manager at the Mercury Theatre, Eugene has also co-produced five volumes of "Season of Carols" ( with Cory Goodrich ).
The first recipient of the Larry Sloan Award in 2007 was Goodman Theatre Executive Director, Roche Schulfer, who was a part of the ad hoc committee created to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic 30 years ago.
"We had an informal lunch meeting and talked about how we could address the epidemic that was devastating our community. The fact that so many were ill and lacked access to basic human needs made it urgent that we act. Marcie McVay's work at launching the Biscotto-Miller fund was an inspiration. The ultimate result was Season of Concern, whose priorities and work are just as important today as they were in 1987."
- Roche Schulfer, Executive Director of Goodman Theatre
Thirty years later, Season of Concern has raised over $3 million, with 2017 seeing our best year yet for audience solicitations, raising over $270,000.00.
Individual tickets are $35 ( General Admission ), available at www.goodmantheatre.org and $75 ( VIP ) and may be purchased at the Season of Concern website at www.seasonofconcern.org or by calling 312-332-0518.
