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Covenant House Pennsylvania’s 15th Anniversary “A Night of Broadway Stars” Featuring Jon Bon Jovi

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Last night the Pennsylvania Convention Center was bursting at the seams with music as Covenant House Pennsylvania presented its annual event “A Night of Broadway Stars.” It’s always a good time, but this year was their 15th Anniversary and they changed venues knowing that more people would want to be a part of the monumental celebration. They were right: Nearly 450 attended the night of song where the proceeds go to help kids get off the street of broken dreams, and onto a path where their dreams can become a reality.

Since Covenant House Pennsylvania (CHP) opened its doors 15 years ago, the non-profit agency has served more than 35,000 youth in crisis. Many of these young people are victims of violence, abandonment, and abuse, and have aged out of the foster care system. CHP gives the youth the skills to help them become self-sufficient and helps them achieve the goals for their lives.

Back for the ninth year, Broadway lyricist and composer Neil Berg hosted “A Night of Broadway Stars” featuring an array of talented performances including Capthia Jenkins (Dream Girls), Stephanie Block (The Boy from Oz), Danny Zolli (Jesus Christ Superstar), Craig Schulman (Les Miserables), Carter Calvert (Cats), John Treacy Egan (Nice Work If You Can Get It) and many more.

The event kicked off with a cocktail reception and buffet, then the guests headed into the ballroom, which was set up like a cabaret. Afterward there was a dessert reception where guests mingled with the Broadway stars. The event also honor Craig Spencer, vice chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation and president and CEO of The Arden Group as well as the JBJ Soul Foundation for their dedication to fighting homelessness, which was accepted by Jon Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi also performed a private acoustic concert before the gala event started, for about 100 sponsors.

For best results, view gallery in full-screen mode.

Jon Bon Jovi, chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation, performed a short acoustic set for about 100 sponsors during an intimate gathering before the main event. He sang his big hits “Who Says You Can't Go Home,” “Living on a Prayer” and "Runaway," a song inspired by the kids at Covenant House in New York City when he first started his career. He dedicated another song to his son Jacob, who turned 12 yesterday. From left: Amy Sullivan, Barb Concannon, Anny Murphy and Jen Sullivan. From left: Kristen McGranaghan and Stephanie Haag. From left: Christine Albert and Linda Bell from Montreal are huge Bon Jovi fans. They were part of the audience that enjoyed the private Bon Jovi concert. They won the right by bidding $5,000 on Charity Buzz for the opportunity. They only found out the day before they were the winners, and their husbands treated the gals for Mother’s Day by paying for the plane ticket (they have 3 children each). That’s Jon’s autograph on the sheet of paper. Bob and Trish Betham. From left: Dr. Louis and Elizabeth Bucky with Jill and Jon R. Powell. Elizabeth Pugh and Brian Welsh. Craig Spencer discussing the JBJ Soul Foundation’s mission, and the four charities that it set out to support from its inception 11 years. They include Project HOME and The Covenant House. Craig Spencer, second from left, and Jon Bon Jovi, with their Covenant House Spirit Awards. Kevin Ryan (right) is president and CEO of Covenant House International. Capthia Jenkins (Dream Girls) belts out “All That Jazz” from Cabaret. Other highlights from the show included Jeannette Bayardelle’s version “The Greatest Love of All” which ended with the crowd on its feet, and Danny Zolli (Jesus Christ Superstar) signing Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” which was hauntingly good. The Covenant House youth also sang two numbers, including the rousing closing night number "Seasons Of Love" from RENT. Very inspirational. BJ Spencer and Pierre Robert. From left: Pearl and Albert Nipon with Leo Carlin, JBJ Soul Foundation. From left: Cathy Swift, Regina and Joe Botta. Vince Bodner’s wife Amy won a Kate Spade bag in the “Keys from the Heart” raffle contest, and Kristina Mazur won a Coach bag. Neil Berg, Broadway lyricist, composer, and creator of “100 Years of Broadway,” and Mimi Box, board member, executive director of JBJ Soul Foundation. From left: Kevin Ryan, Carl Hill, Rob Zindell, and Tim Mellor, all of Covenant House.

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.

The post Covenant House Pennsylvania’s 15th Anniversary “A Night of Broadway Stars” Featuring Jon Bon Jovi appeared first on Philadelphia Magazine.


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