A Night Many Stars Were Born

One might argue that the most special of Children of Bellevue's fundraisers took place on September 30, 1999. On that evening, twenty inspired Bellevue Hospital Center/NYU Medical Center staff performed a concert version of the musical comedy "On the Twentieth Century" to benefit Bellevue's pediatric programs. The performance was the culmination of a vision belonging to Maureen Theresa Bradley, Assistant Director of Children of Bellevue's Reach Out and Read Program.

As Maureen searched for talent to fill the show's many roles, she left no department unturned. Participants included social workers, registered nurses, housekeeping staff, doctors and even Bellevue's Executive Director, Carlos F. Perez. Cast members pulled the show together in less than two months, rehearsing several times a week for as many as four hours at a time.

The hours spent practicing under the direction of Thomas Mills and musical director Eddie Gutman, proved worthwhile. By the night of the show, all 290 available seats of NYU's Schwartz F Hall were sold and the hall was transformed into a theater. If it wasn't for the folding desks attached to the each seat, one might have thought that he or she was in a Broadway theater by the quality of the performance!

To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that a C.O.B. fundraiser was completely staff driven. The cast was complimented by an enthusiastic committee who helped produce the event and guarantee that the show was well attended. After expenses the benefit realized an income of more than $10,000 - more than we had ever hoped!

The performance of "On the Twentieth Century" was a memorable night indeed. As the cast joined in song for the finale, and as the audience responded with a standing ovation, an unspoken sense of accomplishment filled this C.O.B. community. Something extraordinary had been done for our children.

back to What's Going On