The theater district in Times Square is always a buzz no matter what time of year, however last night was a true exception where major stars came out for an important cause, both in and out of the theater community. The 2nd Annual Voice for the Voiceless: Stars for Foster Kids Event happened at the iconic Al Hirschfeld Theatre, with major stars from Chita Rivera, Rosie Perez, Darren Criss and more showing up to support this amazing cause.
This special event brings together the brightest stars of stage and screen to raise awareness about the plight of kids in foster care, particularly those aged 13 to 21 whom many consider “unadoptable” because of their age. The event was presented by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley. “It really is a combination of raising money and the awareness”, stated Seth, when asked why he decided to do this for a second year. “A lot of people are going to other countries to adopt kids, meanwhile there are ones right here in New York City that need families too.”
“This cause is really an extraordinary one,” stated Broadway legend Chita Rivera. “There are so many kids, they pass a certain age, and nobody wants to adopt them. They do the same thing with animals! We all are important, and we all have to do something, and Seth and James are great human beings who help this out tremendously”.
Also in attendance was Sherri Saum, who is one of the stars of the hit ABC Family drama series “The Fosters”. Due to being on a show that has a similar cause, Sherri understands the weight of what a lot of these kids have to go through on a daily basis. “Every single day, I hear from someone who has been through the system, for better or for worse, and a lot of it is hopeful stories filled with “I can survive, I can do this, I matter, I mean something”. That is why tonight is so important.”
After the red carpet, there were several performances inside, including one from Broadway For Orlando, in the wake of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. Overall, the event was a big success, and based on the buzz on the red carpet and inside, I hope they continue to do this and keep spreading the word about this amazing cause.