Monique Coleman
Photo: Brad Balfour
Report by Brad Balfour
What: 10th Annual Broadway for Self Help Africa Concert
When: Monday, March 24th 2025
Who: Various Performers
Where: The Green Room 42, 4th Floor
570 10th Avenue in Yotel NYC Times Square
Monday, March 24th, marked a special milestone. The 10th annual Broadway for Self Help Africa [SHA] event was held at the intimate Green Room 42 in the Yotel Hotel. Thanks to incredible performances from eight Broadway stars — and the return of longtime SHA supporter and event founder Katie Gassert as the MC — it was a night to remember.
Over $12,500 was raised to support the NGO’s work across Sub-Saharan Africa. Thanks to the audience’s generosity, the money helps fund programs that promote food security, women’s entrepreneurship and climate resilience in communities throughout the region that needs it the most.
The Dublin, Ireland, based organization works to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality, and climate change’s impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. 90% of all donations go directly to their work there.
Throughout the years, Self Help Africa has reached over five million people across Africa, providing them with a hand up, not a hand out approach. It looks at the region as a place of opportunity, where investment and entrepreneurship can lift up millions of people out of poverty every year.
In attendance supporting Self Help Africa were such personalities as actress Cathy Moriarty and daughter Bella, actor Joe Pantoliano and his family, Nicky and Jojo Scarlotta, Jay Manuel, Jen Fessler and Dolores Catania.
Kicking off the event was the svelte Alex Finke doing a version of “Orange Colored Sky.” Then up was F. Michael Haynie (“Wicked,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Frozen”) whose version of “Memphis Lives in Me” lent a
rich, country-fied voice to this song from the musical “Memphis.” This heartfelt rendition recalled this show about a white deejay who promotes black music at a time when it was seriously taboo.
Another uncanny performance was offered by Geoff Kidwell (“Waitress,” “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” “White Noise”). He found an obscure tune, “On the Streets of Dublin,” which struck — shall I say — a very sympathetic note from the audience.
From the 1967 musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Hayley Podschun (“Wicked,” “Hairspray,” “Hello Dolly,” “Chaplin”) and Julia Murney (“Wicked,” “The Wild Party, A Class Act”) performed an impromptu version of “My New Philosophy” where Sally and Schroeder exchanges words in song.
Accompanying herself on guitar, Katryna Marttala (“Broadway Sessions,” Hair,” “Mamma Mia”) did a touching song, “The Joke.” Following her was dapper Josh Breckenridge (“Swept Away,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” “Come From Away”) doing “Father How Long” from “The Civil War: An American Musical.” His deep voice made the rendition all the more powerful.
The show also featured two songs from major musicals. Julia Murney (“Wicked,” “The Wild Party, A Class Act”) did a remarkable version of “Maria” from “West Side Story” giving it a unique spin. Then MC Gassert did a fulfilling version of “The Wizard and I” from “Wicked” She did this unplanned performance in response to the success of the show reeling in so many contributions.
Closing out the night was the glammed up Monique Coleman (“High School Musical”) who sang a rousing task on the Gloria Gaynor’s dance classic, “I Will Survive.” Her performance brought many in the crowd to their feet dancing away to this club favorite.
An after party down the hall brought everyone together where performers and audience partied, closing out a very successful night for Self Help Africa. Look out for their fall gala in Manhattan later this fall.
For more information on future events, visit www.selfhelpafrica.org