The Red Ribbon Revue, first presented in 2019, will make its in-person return to (le) poisson rouge on Monday November 28th for a World AIDS Day Celebration featuring HIV-positive artists and the work of artists who died of AIDS. Performers from Broadway to Opera will honor the songs of Jerry Herman, Howard Ashman, Freddie Mercury, Michael Friedman, and more. The evening will once again benefit mothers2mothers, an organization that trains women living with HIV in Africa to be healthcare workers in their communities.
The Red Ribbon Revue is created by Lortel nominee Sam Bolen (Midnight at The Never Get, ASSASSINS), baritone/conductor Brian Mummert (ChamberQUEER). The pair will be joined this year by HIV-negative allies, producer Noah Eisenberg (Circle Jerk) and music director Farrah Rothman.
The Revue, emceed by New York Times and Out Magazine featured comedian James Tison, highlights an artistically diverse cast of poz artists from across generations including Dimitri Moise (Book of Mormon, Titanique), MAC-Award Winner Ruby Rims, HIV-blogger and songwriter Steve Schalchlin, poet and musician Timothy DuWhite, and three-time Tony Nominee Dick Scanlan. Full casting to be announced at a later date.
The inaugural Red Ribbon Revue took place on World AIDS Day 2019 and raised over $10k for mothers2mothers. “The idea sprang from a desire to fight against the stigma of HIV by giving HIV-positive performers the spotlight to share their status and stories without shame or fear,” says Bolen. “The history of the AIDS crisis is tragic, but the music that came out of it is so full of life. Sharing it is a celebration of how far we’ve come and how much life we have yet to live.”
All funds raised through this campaign will go toward financing this years event as well as the continuation of future Red Ribbon benefits. This includes paying for the venue, giving fair pay to our performers, marketing, and more.
We hope to see you at LPR on the 28th! If you can't make it, please share this campaign to help spread the word! #RedRibbonRevue #RedRibbonRevueReturns