Pirate Queen to Launch "Nite Out on Broadway" Honoring WTC First Responders

[Popular]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 4:25pm

What a great idea! :)

The Pirate Queen will be the first Broadway production to participate in "Nite Out on Broadway," a new initiative to show gratitude to the men and women who worked to clean up the wreckage at the World Trade Center after 9/11 and are now suffering from serious, sometimes fatal maladies.

The company will welcome two families as VIP guests at the show's June 3 performance. The event was created by Pirate Queen cast member Bill Youmans and New York Disaster Interfaith Services.

The mission of "Nite Out on Broadway" is to identify first responders who are suffering from serious illnesses directly resulting from their work at WTC, and invite them with their family to experience a Broadway show. Understanding that many of these families cannot afford to attend the theater, the hope is that NOOB will lighten their minds and help them realize the amount of appreciation that exists within the Broadway community.

The cast and crew of The Pirate Queen have raised funds among themselves to pay for tickets and transportation for two selected families, both of whom will be picked up from their homes and driven in a limousine to the Hilton Theatre. They will have refreshments in the VIP Lounge, attend the show, receive a backstage tour, meet the cast, receive autographed souvenirs and be acknowledged by the cast during the curtain call.

The initial honorees include James La Pena, a 52-year-old construction worker who personally rescued two Port Authority police officers from the rubble of the WTC. After working many months at the site, he lost his regular job, is now wheelchair bound and suffers from respiratory illness. He will attend The Pirate Queen with his three sons.


Nite Out on Broadway

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 4:30pm

That is such a sweet idea. It actually made me tear up a bit.

[kec]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 4:37pm

It's a wonderful idea.

[lucydee]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 6:22pm

What a wonderful idea! I do hope more shows participate in this opportunity to show our appreciation for all they did for us. I remember the day it happened when we were all running out of our office buildings and these men were running in the towers. They all need to be commended for everything they did for us and making downtown clean again for us to go back to work.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 6:41pm

Bravo to PQ for a thoughtful gesture of appreciation for some extraordinary people.

[Popular]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 1:13pm

Nice castcom today in regards to this program
Day 107 - June 8th

[kec]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 2:09pm

Indeed, Popular. I tried to offer a comment, but got an error message, so I'll say it here. This is an absolutely wonderful thing to do. With all the health issues plaguing many of the firemen, policemen, et al, no one deserves this more.
By odd coincidence, I saw the article linked below around the same time this program was announced. (I have a personal interest in this issue, so it's important to me.)
Mt. Sinai Docs Fear New Cancers

[sarab]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 4:07pm

Definitely a very classy idea! Way to go Pirate Queen!

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 7:35pm

very nice idea..

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 7:38pm

Maybe now people will go see it and it will stay open!!!




Nope!!

[amalou]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 8:21pm

That's really nice! It's very honorable.

B3TA07, are you implying that they're doing this just as a stunt to stay open? If so, that is just despicible OF YOU and in really bad taste.

Updated On: 6/9/07 at 08:21 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/8/07 at 8:24pm

That is a really nice thing for them to do. More shows should do this.

[kec]

Posted: 6/9/07 at 2:54am

Wonderful Wizard, I got the impression from the article that more shows would be involved. I hope so.

B3TA07 -- your comment was uncalled for and, as amalou says, in very poor taste.
Updated On: 6/9/07 at 02:54 AM