FAREHAM, United Kingdom — The musical theater industry is full of creative, colorful shows in a range of genres. Some shows are dedicated or related to the women in the industry, either through theme or casting, and many musicals take part in charity one way or another. Here is how these musical leading ladies aid charity and work for better health.
Six
“Six the Musical” sees the ex-wives of Henry VIII take to the stage to perform divorced, beheaded, live and redefine history as “Her-story.” The 2017 musical is a worldwide phenomenon with shows in America, England, Australia and South Korea alongside international tours. With such popularity, there is no surprise that these leading ladies aid charity.
Its most notable partnership was with BBC Children in Need, which is a charity dedicated to giving children the support that they need for mental health an overall well-being. Each year, BBC Children in Need hosts its SPOTacular Appeal show to raise funds by presenting a variety of exclusive performances. In 2020, which was the organization’s 40th anniversary, the “Six” tour cast was one of these performances.
In the last year, BBC Children In Need were able to help more than 460,000 young people including those that are living in poverty. It funds close to 1,100 projects to help young people in the U.K. who are struggling with poverty. The total value of its support sums up to £56.3 million, with £35.2 million associated with 550 local charities and projects and £10.2 million that targets food insecurity.
Chicago
Following the theme of female-centered musicals, “Chicago” had its leading ladies aid charity in 2020. The musical partnered with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Make a Difference (MAD) Trust for COVID-19 emergency relief funds. The ladies of Cook County Jail from Broadway, the West End and International Tour got together for an online fundraising performance.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the “philanthropic heart of Broadway” and uses its funds to help people access health care, emergency financial help and life-saving medication. It has provided grants to Puerto Rico and South Africa. In 2022, when Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, the organization awarded a $250,000 grant to the Hispanic Federation to provide immediate emergency relief. The neighborhoods that the hurricane affected the most received first aid and relief equipment. Since 1998, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has given over $3 million to 51 South African organizations, including $140,000 to 17 AIDS organizations, in the form of grants.
Wicked
“Wicked” is about the Land of Oz before Dorothy arrived, featuring the main characters the Wicked Witch of the West Elphaba and the Good Witch of the South Glinda. The musical possesses themes of injustice, prejudice, equality, bias, privilege and justice in action.
In terms of health, there are a couple of notable links between “Wicked” and charity. Like “Chicago”, “Wicked” makes donations to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and it also had its leading ladies aid charity with the MAD Trust in 2020, enlisting 23 Elphaba and Glinda actresses to perform “For Good” to fundraise.
The MAD Trust raises funds for HIV and AIDS projects worldwide, alongside supporting education in sub-Saharan Africa and England. In Kenya, MAD Trust supported the Ahero Project, which helps HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (ages 2-5) from poor families receive care and food. It has also supported the “KAA RADA KUWA SMARTTA” project. The project uses theater to educate youth in Siaya County about sex and HIV and help young people access HIV and sexual health services. MAD Trust’s grant for the Children of Uganda went towards its Medical Center.
The musical made a charitable impact when partnering with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity in 2018. The organization helps seriously ill children and their families by providing support, research and equipment. Alongside this, “Wicked” partners with many other charities that are worth mentioning: The Trevor Project, V-Day, the U.K. National Literacy Trust and the U.K. Anti-Bullying Alliance.
Supporting Global Health
The musical theater industry is dedicated to the people. This is typically thought of as dedicated to their entertainment, but the leading ladies of these musicals have demonstrated that it is to their well-being as well. As shows garner such large interest from the public, their continued endorsement of charities demonstrates how entertainment can be an avenue to support global health.
– Lachlan Griffiths
Photo: Flickr