The Janice Jam: Broadway for Breast Cancer, a benefit concert supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, is back for its second annual event May 13 at Haswell Green's. The concert evening will feature a starry cast of Broadway favorites performing in support of the cancer research nonprofit.
That lineup includes Omar Jose Cardona, Jackie Cox, Matt DeAngelis, Lissa deGuzman, Christine Dwyer, John Gallagher Jr., Justin Guarini, Morgan James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Caissie Levy, Talia Suskauer, Ryan Vona, Nik Walker, and more to be announced.
Music director Jacob Yates will lead the evening's band, which will also include Rich Mercurio on drums, Lee Nadel on bass, Meg Toohey on guitar, and Yair Evnine on guitar and cello.
The event is the brainchild of DeAngelis, who lost his mother, Janice, in 2022 to breast cancer. The former Waitress star hopes the annual tradition will celebrate his mom and her love of theatre while also raising money for an important cause.
“Here we are. Year two. We continue to stand in honor of and celebrate those affected with this disease, both past and present,” shares DeAngelis in a statement. “This yearly event serves as the celebration of a woman who was more than just an honorary part of the Broadway community, and I am so proud of how we continue to build this as a means to education and celebration. With the continued education and non-profit support for future generations, we are proud to do our part in helping eradicate this disease, thus, preventing losses like mine and many others in this world."
“If you know someone who has died of breast cancer, that means it was metastatic and spread beyond the breast to other parts of their body,” adds Tami Bowling, a Stage IV breast cancer survivor providing additional publicity support for the event. “I will never forget the day I heard the words that my breast cancer diagnosis was incurable because it had spread to my liver. I am grateful for people like Matt and the incredible Broadway community who recognize that research is the only way to end death from breast cancer and give patients more time with their loved ones. The positive energy that fills the room at this event gives me hope.”
“In 2024 an estimated 200,000 people are living with MBC, up from 140,000 in 2014—evidence that we are successfully extending the lives of metastatic breast cancer patients thanks to improved treatments," says BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry. "More women are living longer, and we are accelerating progress so that all women can live without the life-threatening power of MBC.”
DeAngelis is producing the event along with Bryan Campione, Ember Productions, and PJ Adzima. Jen Ash will stage manage.
Tickets—including an add-on post-show event featuring DJ Mike Borowski, burlesque and cirque-style performances, and more—are available at Give.BCRF.org.
