AMERICAN IDOL’s RAYVON OWEN joins the cast of
Simply Sensational – Pride Films and Plays’ Annual Fall Benefit  November 7 at Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway

The entertainment line-up for PFP’s Simply Sensational Benefit gets more and more sensational each day, with American Idol’s Rayvon Owen joining in. Other performers include Nancy Hays, Honey West, Kevin Webb, Michelle McKenzie Voigt, and others from the Pride Films and Plays Company and cast of the upcoming musical Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Music Director for the evening is PFP’s Jeff Award-winning Robert Ollis.

Simply Sensational is Monday, November 7.  Mr. Owen entertains during the pre-show reception downstairs in the private room from 6 to 7 pm. The regular program will continue at 7:15 pm, and again feature Rayvon along with the other performers, with Broadway’s Capathia Jenkins headlining. The program will celebrate the greatest songs written for women in the Broadway canon, performed by the best women – and men – in Chicago’s musical theater scene.

Capathia Jenkins was featured in the record setting NBC LIVE telecast of The Wiz. On Broadway she has appeared in Newsies, Martin Short-Fame Becomes Me, Caroline, or Change, The Look of Love, The Civil War. Off-Broadway she was seen in Nora Ephron’s Love, Loss and What I Wore, (mis)Understanding Mammy-The Hattie McDaniel Story, (Drama Desk Nomination) Caroline, or Change and Godspell.

She has appeared in 30 Rock, The Sopranos, Law & Order and much more. She also has performed with many symphony orchestras around the world, including the Cincinnati Pops and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.” www.capathiajenkins.com

For as long as he can remember, pop/soul singer, Rayvon Owen has dreamed of a life dedicated to music.  Born to be on stage, the Richmond, VA., native began his music career at a very young age – singing in choirs, touring with gospel musicians and performing in local musicals. By the age of 18, he relocated to Nashville, TN., to study Commercial Music at Belmont University. Shortly after graduation, Rayvon made his way from Nashville to Los Angeles, CA., where he continued to write and craft his sound. In 2014, he released his debut EP, Cycles, which includes the hit single “Sweatshirt.” In the past year, Rayvon took his talent on the road – performing at over 60 colleges across the United States.

Honey West’s Chicago credits include Dirty Dreams of a Clean Cut Kid, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Diva Diaries, Jerry’s Girls and Tony and Tony’s Wedding. She won BroadwayWorld.com Award for Pussy on the House and will soon be seen in PFP’s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Kevin Webb is a Jeff nominated company member with Pride Films and Plays and was most recently seen in their productions of Bite and Design for Living. He has worked with Court, Porchlight, BoHo, Trap Door, Sideshow and many other Chicago area theatre companies.

Cabaret singer Nancy Hays has opened for celebrities including Tommy Tune, George Burns and many others. Nancy was also recently seen in critically acclaimed performances as Mame at Light Opera Works and Judy Garland in Pride Films and Plays’ Boy from Oz and Judy and Liza–Once in a Lifetime– the Palladium Concert, A Tribute. 

Simply Sensational features musical direction by Robert Ollis, and is directed by David Zak.

The evening benefits the programming of Pride Films and Plays, and the renovation of the Pride Arts Center in January 2017.

LISTING INFORMATION

Simply Sensational
Pride Films and Plays’ Annual Fall Benefit      Monday, November 7
VIP Reception begins at 6 pm,
Program begins at 7:15 pm with dessert reception following.
Uptown Underground        4707 N. Broadway
VIP Tickets $150.00 (includes pre-show VIP reception)
General Admission $75.00 (includes program and post-show dessert reception)
For tickets call 1 800 737 0984 or purchase on line at www.pridefilmsandplays.com.