The Dementia Society of
America® will be presenting its first online fundraising entertainment program
on Sunday evening, November 22nd, 2020
at 6:00 pm (ET). The program, called "Broadway Alive™," will feature
a special performance by Keith Spencer, a nationally recognized entertainer and
concert artist. The performance is being hosted by and performed at the
historic Highland Farm, the former home of the legendary Oscar Hammerstein, in
Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Arguably,
his most famous works were written while residing there, including South
Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.
Kevin Jameson, volunteer,
president, and founder of the Dementia Society of America, stated, "We
chose the theme of "Broadway Alive" for our fundraiser this year for
a very special reason. There is significant research that supports the benefits
of non-medical care for those living with Dementia, and music is one of the
most effective life-enrichment therapies we have. Interestingly, research has
shown that Broadway show tunes, such as those from The Sound of
Music, have been identified as being incredibly useful in rekindling
long-held memories, increasing joy, and lowering anxiety. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/11/alzheimers-patients-brains-boosted-sound-music-singing
This exclusive online
performance features baritone vocalist Keith Spencer and pianist Peter
Hilliard. They have created this celebration
of the Golden Age of Broadway exclusively for the Dementia Society of
America. They will perform a 45-minute set comprised of classics from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Bernstein
& Sondheim, and more. It's a selection of well-known songs from Broadway
musicals, where ideally, everyone will be smiling and singing along. They will
also be performing several selections from Keith's smash hit one-person
show, Brothers on Broadway: A Celebration of African American Leading
Men on Broadway.
Originally
from Philadelphia, Mr. Spencer is a nationally recognized entertainer and
concert artist. His national tour highlights include the Broadway Tour of Andrew
Lloyd Webber's Music of the Night with Betty Buckley and Melissa
Manchester. Favorite roles include Coalhouse Walker, Jr. (Ragtime); Joe
(Show Boat); The Abolitionist (For the Glory: The Civil War Musical);
Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors); Leading Player (Pippin);
Billy (Carousel). Keith was also honored to have been chosen by the Paul
Robeson House of Princeton to perform for Robeson's 120th Birthday Celebration.
Keith
appears courtesy of On Demand Programs
and Events. Natalie Kaye, On Demand
president, added, "I am
delighted that Keith will be helping the Dementia Society of America
raise funds to continue their vital mission locally and throughout the country.
Keith's programs are always spectacular, ensuring the success of any fundraiser".
The Society estimates that more than nine
million Americans live with some form of Dementia today, and three times as
many may be considered as caregivers. Even more shocking, when all forms of
Dementia are combined, they are globally thought to be the third leading cause
of death, behind heart disease and stroke in high-income countries, according
to the World Health Organization. (2017 World Health
Organization Factsheet.)
The Dementia Society of America® (DSA) is the nation's
leading volunteer-driven all-Dementias awareness organization. DSA provides an
information hotline (1-800-DEMENTIA™), many online resources, and an
easy-to-use, web-based locator, which can assist families and individuals in finding
valuable support near to them. The Dementia Society of America is a
registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible
to the full extent of the law. For more information
on DSA, visit https://www.dementiasociety.org/.
On Demand Programs and Events'
mission is to provide programs
that inspire, inform, entertain, enrich, and promote positive change. To
learn more about upcoming programs and events, visit ondemandprogramsandevents.com.
A limited number of free
tickets are available for the November 22nd, 2020 premiere. This
program is a one-hour event airing at 6:00 pm (ET). Grab your tickets now to
this extraordinary online, not to be missed, performance at www.BroadwayAlive.org.