What a Pair Concert Sept. 26, 2009

One of eight women living in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer which accounts for nearly one-third of cancer cases. The 7th Annual What a Pair Concert will help get that much closer to finding a cure for breast cancer as they donate 100 percent of its proceed to help benefit the Breast Cancer Research at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center. 

The What a Pair Concert held on Sept. 26 at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica was a whole night of delight and surprises. The concert was 16 acts of fabulous women’s duets--plus a surprise. Many are TV stars that I see as great TV characters, but never knew they had talent as vocalist. Some duets sang and danced while others belted out their notes to ballads, jazzy blues or funky tunes.

What a Pair duo Michelle Stafford(L) and Nancy Lee Grahn(R)

The most entertaining acts of the evening were

• JoAnne Worley (Laugh In) and Marcia Wallace (Bob Newhart Show) dressed as nuns performing “Sisters.”
• The quartet group with jazzy vocals  of Tierney Sutton (Grammy nominated for “On the Other Side.”) along with Emily Bergl (Southland) , Amy Pietz (Aliens in America), and (Marianne Jean-Baptiste (The Cell) performing 42ND STREET.
• The talented and outstanding violinist Lili Haydn executed a stunning solo “I Still Believe,”
• The soulful Maggie Wheeler and Kathleen Wilhoite singing “Mama Who Bore Me.”
• The surprise duo ended with a hilarious Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) and Steven Weber (Wings) dressed in drag while singing and shaking their rumps to the tune of "The Beauty That Drives Men Mad.”

What a Pair duo Elain Hendrix(L) and Sharon Lawrence (R)

The highly anticipated concert was followed by an entertaining VIP cocktail reception and silent auction with the cast which also benefitted the John Wayne Cancer Institute at St. John’s  Health Center.

The cast included:

Deborah Gibson, Jason Alexander, Steven Weber, Marcia Wallace (Comedienne), Marg Helgenberger (CSI: Las Vegas), Maryanne Jean-Baptiste (Without a Trace), Mary Ann Mobley (former Miss America), Teri Polo (Meet the Parents), Mary Birdsong (Reno 911!), Emily Bergl (Men in Trees), Maggie Wheeler (Friends), Lori Alan (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs), Loretta Devine (Eli Stone), Lisa Ann Walter (Bruce Almighty), Lili Haydn (Californication), Sharon Lawrence (Desperate Housewives), Vicki Lewis ('TilDeath), Rosa Blasi (Make It or Break It), Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City), Amy Pietz (Caroline in the City), Liz Vassey (The Tick), Deana Carter (Country Singer/Songwriter),Nancy Grahn (General Hospital), Jo Anne Worley (Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in), Elaine Hendrix (The Parent Trap), Michelle Stafford (The Young and the Restless), KathleenWilhoite (Pepper Ann), Tierney Sutton (Twisted), Arden Kaywin (Dough: The Musical), Samantha Shelton (Judging Amy), Jennifer Leigh Warren, Nikki Crawford, Amanda Giuliano and more!

What a Pair has raised more than $2 million dollars to support basic and clinical breast cancer research.

What a Pair duo in drag Steven Webber (L) and Jason Alexander (R)

To support What a Pair, you can go online to make a monetary donation or purchase a What a Pair Long sleeve limited edition T-shirt on www.whatapair.org

About The Breast Center

The Breast Cancer Research Program directed by Armando E. Giulano, M.D., investigates ways to improve treatments and early detection. Their researchers and scientists are exploring ways to improve the diagnosis and control of breast cancer. Due to their tireless efforts, scientists in the program have made major contributions to clinical care and basic research, receiving national and international recognition.

The Breast Center has focused on offering women an invaluable resource for breast cancer awareness, detection, treatment and research. Over the years, the Center has become a leader in the field, providing a model for breast centers around the globe.

SELF Magazine named it “Americas 10 Best Breast Centers.” It was even cited as one of the TOP 10 breast center in the widely read Breast Cancer for Dummies. The center treats over 11,000 patients and their surgeons perform over 1,000 operations.

For more information, please call the Public Affairs and Development Office at 310.315.6111 or visit www.jwci.org

SPONSORS OF WHAT A PAIR

Sponsors of the event comprised of Pinky Vodka (www.pinkyvodka.com), One Hope Wines (www.onehopewine.com), Ziba Beauty (www.zibabeauty.com ), and L.A. Magazine (http://www.lamag.com).

Producers for the event included Jo Levi DiSante, Jody Price, Ruth Stalford, and Lauren Sands. Matthew Diamond, an Emmy Award Winner and Academy Award nominee directed this year’s performances and Thomas Giep featured as the musical director.

2010 Shows

March 2010 What a Pair foundation and production team will produce Sing! A professionally staged musical production featuring high school students as performers, backstage support, event planners and fundraisers. The proceeds of Sing! Will go the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundations in Los Angeles.

June 4, 2010, What A Pair! London to benefit Cancer Research UK.

For more information on What A Pair! click on www.whatapair.org

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