As a SAG-AFTRA member, I know that when times are tough—as they are now with the coronavirus continuing to disrupt all we know—the performing arts community always steps up. And, Seth Rudetsky is always at the forefront of the march to help make things better for all.
SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, are producing daily online mini-shows as a series called Stars In The House. The shows are a joyful combination of insider stories and tunes. Filled with laughs, they feature top-shelf actors practicing social distancing—singing and performing live from their homes. The series is a thoughtful effort to promote awareness of and create support for The Actors Fund’s services for those most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization providing a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals. The Fund serves everyone in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio, and dance with programs that include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and secondary employment and training services.
Stars In The House airs twice daily at 2 pm and 8 pm, (traditional theatre curtain times), You can watch online at youtube.com/theactorsfund as well as on Playbill.com and BroadwayWorld.com. You’ll find the archived episodes on The Fund’s youtube channel.
Seth and James say their list of confirmed guests includes: Iain Armitage, Shoshana Bean, Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, Wayne Brady, Betty Buckley, Laura Bell Bundy, Andréa Burns, Kerry Butler, Norbert Leo Butz, Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Carolee Carmello, Kristin Chenoweth, Gavin Creel, Melissa Errico, Raul Esparza, Christopher Fitzgerald, Ana Gasteyer, Mandy Gonzalez, Justin Guarini, Debbie Gravitte, James Monroe Iglehart, Jeremy Jordan, Marc Kudish, Judy Kuhn, Anika Larsen, Linda Lavin, Beth Leavel, Telly Leung, Beth Malone, Melissa Manchester, Lindsay Mendez, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jessie Mueller, Rosie O’Donnell, Kelli O’Hara, Alice Ripley, Adam Pascal, Faith Prince, Keala Settle, Marc Shaiman, Kate Shindle, Jennifer Simard, Elizabeth Stanley, Patrick Wilson, Marissa Jaret Winokur with many more to be announced.
Confirmed celebrity couples include Sebastian Arcelus and Stephanie J. Block, Will Chase and Ingrid Michaelson, Jen Cody and Hunter Foster, Jenn Colella and Chilina Kennedy, Colin Donnell and Patti Murrin, Santino and Jessica Fontana, Andy Karl and Orfeh, Liz Larsen and Sal Viviano, Audra McDonald and Will Swenson, Steven Pasquale and Phillipa Soo.
Enjoy the fun. Please share. Take care of each other.
And, if you’re able, please consider donating to The Actors Fund.
