Susan Blackwell Hosts "Volleygirls" Benefit for It Gets Better

On July 30 at New York's supper club and cabaret 54 Below, Chicago Fire's Monica Raymund of Sisu Theatrical Productions, LLC, Jacob Harvey of Cave 76 Productions, LLC and Jordi Coats will present a cabaret-style concert of "Volleygirls." The event, which will include tunes from the breakout hit from the 2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival and revisit some old fan favorites from earlier incarnations, will be hosted by Susan Blackwell and will benefit the It Gets Better Project.

"'Volleygirls' is a musical that fights for the power of good and encourages every young person whether gay or straight, jock or nerd, to be who you are and stay true to yourself," said Harvey.

As one of Huffington Post's Best Shows of 2013, the "heartwarming" "Volleygirls," which starred Blackwell, was called "a winning spike" by The New York Times. It took home top honors from the NYMF awards for excellence, including the Best of Fest audience choice award, Outstanding Ensemble Award and the coveted most Promising New Musical Award-winning musical plus the New World Stages development prize.

Blackwell played Kim Brindell, a disgraced Olympian coaching an oddball team of high-school volleyball players in this girl-powered musical with book by Rob Ackerman, lyrics by Sam Forman, music by Eli Bolin, choreographed by Ryan Kasprazak and directed by Neil Patrick Stewart.

In addition to Blackwell, the 54 Below performance will feature Krysta Rodriguez, Eric Michael Gillett, PJ Adzima, Benjamin Howes, Jennifer C. Johnson, Julia Knitel, Gerianne Perez, Allison Posner, Dana Steingold, Allison Strong and more. The concert is directed by Neil Patrick Stewart with Jordi Coats as general manager. The "Sweat" Band will feature Mike Pettry, Eric Davis, Brendan O'Grady and Alex Wyatt with musical direction by composer Eli Bolin.

The evening will benefit the It Gets Better Campaign founded in 2010 by Dan Savage and Terry Miller. This nonprofit organization uses all forms of media and engagement to reach LGBT youth worldwide in order to provide critical support and hope that life indeed gets better. Through the organization's messages of hope, international resources and guidance, collaboration and mouthpiece in the media, the It Gets Better Project strives to continuously make life better for LGBT youth.

To date, more than 50,000 inspirational videos have been uploaded in support of It Gets Better and the LGBT community, including support from President Obama and 500,000 others who have actively taken the pledge to spread It Gets Better's messages of hope and speak up against intolerance. The Project has expanded its support of LGBT youth on both a national and global scale, serving as a resource on policy and legal matters. The It Gets Better Project is resolute in its mission to make the lives of LGBT youth, simply put, better.

"We are proud to continue using our art to fight for equality and tolerance. It Gets Better Project helps saves the lives of young men and women who are struggling to find and accept their own individuality," said Raymund, a longtime supporter of the It Gets Better Project.

The "Volleygirls" fundraiser will be held at 9:30 p.m. on July 30 at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street in New York City. Tickets range from $30-$55 with proceeds going to benefit the It Gets Better Project, plus $25 food and beverage minimum. For tickets and information, visit www.54Below.com or call 646-476-3551 after 4 p.m. on the day of the performance.