Waitress' Matt DeAngelis, who lost mom Janice last year to breast cancer, has organized a benefit evening in her honor. The Janice Jam, which benefits cancer research and awareness via the Entertainment Community Fund's Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, is being held June 5 in Manhattan at Haswell Green’s.
Scheduled to be part of the first annual concert are DeAngelis, E.J. Cardona (The X Factor), Omar Cardona (The Voice), Charity Angél Dawson (Mrs. Doubtfire), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Caitlin Houlahan (Waitress), Emma Hunton (Spring Awakening), Brittney Johnson (Wicked), Michele Mais (Rock of Ages), Javier Muñoz (Hamilton), Samantha Pauly (SIX: The Musical), Talia Suskauer (Wicked), Ryan Vona (Parade), TikTok vocal sensation T.3, Jim Hogan (Kimberly Akimbo), Liam Fennecken (Chicago), and Brendan Jacob Smith (The Simon & Garfunkel Story) with virtual appearances by Shoshana Bean (Mr. Saturday Night), Gavin Creel (Into the Woods), Caissie Levy (Leopoldstadt), and Joshua Malina with the cast of Leopoldstadt.
Pre-show entertainment will be provided by magicians Matthew Holtzclaw, Prakash Puru, and Rachel Wax, tap dancer Luke Hawkins, and juggler Alex Nee. The evening’s band includes musical director Jonathan Ivie on keyboard, Caleb Michel on drums, Steve Millhouse on bass, and Andrew Zinsmeister on guitar.
Doors open at 6 PM with the pre-show entertainment followed by the 7:30 PM concert. A full bar and menu will be available; the event also features a silent auction.
“We stand to honor and celebrate those affected with this disease, both past and present,” said DeAngelis in an earlier statement. “This yearly event will serve as the celebration of a woman who was more than just an honorary part of the Broadway community, with continued education and non-profit support for future generations. We too can do our part in eradicating this disease, thus, preventing losses like mine and many others in this world.”
“Phyllis Newman founded the Women’s Health Initiative because of her own personal experience with cancer, to help others have a comforting, helpful resource when facing such difficult times. Matt and all those involved in The Janice Jam are now not only honoring Janice, but also continuing Phyllis’s legacy to help countless other women as they need support,” added Joseph Benincasa, president and CEO of the Entertainment Community Fund.
The Janice Jam is produced by DeAngelis, Bryan Campione, Angel May Reed, and Ember Productions (Amber Coates and Maxwell Haddad) with Anita Shastri as stage manager.
For ticket information click here. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, click here.
