Plum Alum Sing for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Kelsey Purcell and Alex McDaniel will be performing at “Cabaret for a Cause, an Entertaining Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis” on Thursday, July 26, at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club.

At Donna’s School of Dance (3819 Old William Penn Hwy, in Murrysville), Purcell and McDaniel rehearsed with the show’s musical director, Alicia Giove, and the other members of the Cabaret cast, Lindsay Pingor, George Heigel and Patrick Bovo.

Purcell and McDaniel and their fellow cast mates are singing solo numbers, duets, and participating in two ensemble numbers. The songs are a mix of Broadway show tunes, standards and contemporary pop music.

Purcell, 22, cites singing as her greatest passion. The young songstress has been singing and dancing since she was seven. Purcell had participated in various musicals in high school, and was give the plum (pun intended) honor of singing the national anthem at her high school graduation.

"I love music," she said. "I grew up dancing and singing and putting on shows for my family. There was a time when I was going to stop performing and do something else, but my family encouraged me to keep going.”

The Plum Borough native has auditioned for American Idol and The Voice, and hopes to continue to pursue her musical career.

The shows organizer, Joe Nickel, co-founder and Artistic Director for MadHouse Productions—an entertainment group consisting of dancers, singers, musicians, and specialty performers—spoke highly of his talented cast.

“I met Kelsey through dancers who have been in past MadHouse Shows," Nickel said. "She came to a rehearsal and when I found out she was a singer I put her on the spot to audition for me. She didn't hesitate and I knew that moment I was going to have her be apart of this cabaret.” 

Purcell and McDaniel have shared the stage before. In 2007, they were in the cast of “The Wizard of Oz,” at the high school.

Purcell joked, “Alex was the Tin Man. I was a tree.”

McDaniel, 24, also a graduate of Plum Senior High (2007) is currently a senior in Point Park University’s Liberal Studies major, concentrating in Musical Theatre Performance. His most recent credits include featured roles in Pittsburgh Musical Theatre's “Spring Awakening” and “Chess.” He also appeared in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” 

McDaniel is from a creative family. His mother, Amy, is a voice instructor for Larry Cervi's School of Performing Arts and choir director for CCAC’s Boyce Campus. His father, Scott, is a professional comic book artist. McDaniel has been playing instruments, the piano and the viola, since he was 5 years old.

“Music is a universal language," McDaniel said. "I think it can portray raw emotion.”

The young singer got to pick some of the music for the performance and spoke about a song he chose for his solo number.

“I chose Scott Alan’s ‘Home’ because it is a message of love and family," he said.

“The song ends with the lyrics; ‘Never feel alone, for I'll always be with you—A home is where the heart is meant to be, and you'll always have a home inside of me.’ I think that’s an important message for the families and friends of people suffering with Cystic Fibrosis."

Nickel said, “No more than a year ago, I saw Alex perform in Spring Awakening and wanted to hear more. I organized this event not only to showcase the amazing talent we have here in Pittsburgh, but to raise awareness of this deadly disease.”  

He added, “The more I learn about Cystic Fibrosis the harder I want to work to raise money for this cause. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation gets no direct money to fund research from the government. All of the money to fund research is through philanthropy and fundraisers like this one.”

Nickel is enthused about the upcoming event. “I am really excited. I think its going to be an amazing evening.” 

All proceeds from the show benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

About the show

Pre-sale tickets are available at Showclix.com  by searching “Cabaret for a Cause.” Tickets will be $20 online and available for $30 at the door. In addition to listening to a fantastic line up of performers, complimentary hors d'oeuvre will be served.

“Cabaret for a Cause, an Entertaining Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis” on Thursday, July 26, will take place at the Baja Bar and Grill at Fox Chapel Yacht Club, 1366 Old Freeport Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will start at 8 p.m.

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