RENT
CAST PARTY / HIV & AIDS AWARENESS BENEFIT !
Aladdin Theater Friday, March 19

                                       
LAS VEGAS - The cast of the hit Broadway musical RENT along with A Source Of Joy Promotions hosted an HIV &
AIDS Awareness Benefit at Prana Restaurant located inside the Desert Passage at the Aladdin Resort & Casino. The
party began immediately following the opening night performance RENT at the Aladdin Theater on Friday, March 19.   
A $10 donation was charged at the door and all proceeds to benefit Aid for AIDS of Nevada, The Center of Southern
Nevada and Golden Rainbow

They had a silent auction and had some nice Broadway signed posters.  One item was a Wicked poster signed by the
cast and nicely framed.

The first performers were from Class Acts Entertainment; the three ladies that sang were very good.  I did not get
their names.  Then Sasha Renee (a Las Vegas female impersonator) performed.   Karole Foreman (former cast
member of "Mamma Mia!" in Las Vegas) sang "God Bless The Child."

But the big event of the evening was when Linda Hopkins was honored.  She is a living legend and can still sing and
dance a little.  Hopkins was heralded for her triumphs in "Jazz Train," and Broadway's "The Last Minstrel Show." The
most significant has been "Me and Bessie," her highly successful musical portrayal of Bessie Smith. Linda has been
performing since the late 40' and has recorded with Johnny Otis and Esther Phillps.   Tony Award and a Drama Desk
Award in 1972.

The entertainment ended with the entire cast of RENT going on the stage and singing "Seasons of Love."  They asked
the entire audience at the party to join in.  Lots of dancing and fun last night!

The entire RENT cast got onto
the stage and it was very
crowded.  Then they sang
"Seasons of Love," along
with the audience.

The entire RENT cast got onto
the stage and it was very
crowded.  Then they sang
"Seasons of Love," along
with the audience.

RENT cast members enjoying
the entertainment at the party.

Constantine Maroulis
(Roger in RENT)

C. Weaver (owner of Vegas Arts
Corner) and Jaime Lee Kirchner
(Mimi in RENT)

Marcus Paul James
(Tom in RENT)

Damien DeShaun Smith (Angel in RENT)