Chatham Chorale Broadway Concert To Benefit Kids Food Program

 Broadway is no stranger to hungry kids, from the urchins of “Oliver” to the orphans of “Annie.” On March 8 and 9, the Chatham Chorale will be rolling out their Broadway tunes at three concerts to help the hundreds of children on Cape Cod who benefit from the work of Food for Kids, a summer lunch program that combats food insecurity in the months when Cape schools don’t provide it.

 “We’re happy to be donating part of the proceeds from these concerts to Food for Kids,” said Chorale Music Director Joe Marchio. Held at Dennis Union Church in Dennis village, the concerts will feature a program of favorite Broadway tunes with piano accompaniment by Cape Symphony keyboardist Donald Enos. 

 Medleys from “The Music Man” and “Les Misérables,” plus songs from “The Lion King,” “Mary Poppins,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Carousel,” “Man of La Mancha” and “Wicked” are all on the program. 

 "It's both old and new Broadway," Marchio said. "Their themes deal with redemption, transformation, self-determination and boundless love — all sentiments that fuel the Food for Kids effort." 

 Audiences will enjoy some of the Chorale's popular soloists, Marchio said, including Joan Kirchner, Reverend John Dolan, Deborah Mahaney and Bud Ferris. He urged people to buy tickets early. "I anticipate we will sell out," he added. "People will be singing songs on their way out of the door."

 Throughout the summer months, Mondays through Fridays, Food for Kids (F4K) fills the void when free school meals end, providing free breakfasts, lunches, snacks and books to an average of more than 500 children across the Lower and Outer Cape. More than 130 volunteers contribute to the success of the program, which operates out of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans. 

 “We are so thankful to the Chatham Chorale for helping solve the growing food insecurity issue among families with children on Cape Cod," said F4K Executive Director Jenn Gale. She particularly noted the plight of young families struggling to juggle both rising housing costs and food prices. "Last year we served 46,000 meals to kids over 10 weeks and hope to reach even more kids this summer.” 

 This benefit is a welcome boost in fundraising for F4K, now in its 13th year. "It's the first time we've had a group do a benefit for us," Gale noted. "Every year our program has grown and as we look to expand, our needs increase. I am so grateful and appreciative of the Chorale."

 Chatham Chorale is one of Cape Cod’s longest-established choral ensembles, for 53 years presenting an annual concert series with programs ranging from choral masterworks to pops stylings and premieres of new works by regional composers. The Chorale also regularly collaborates with the Cape Symphony — for example, in the annual Holiday Pops concerts — and sings in service to the community. 

 Tickets for March 8 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and March 9 at 2 p.m. are $40 and can be purchased at www.chathamchorale.org/tickets, by phone at 774-212-9333, or at the door the day of the concert. For more information, visit www.chathamchorale.org.