More than 1,000 people packed New York City’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre on May 7 for a free concert hosted by actress Edie Falco to celebrate the launch of Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project, a multimedia event to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Young Survival Coalition.
Well-known composers, popular Broadway vocalists, and beloved book illustrators donated their talents to produce a two-CD set of 26 original lullabies; an illustrated hardcover book of 17 songs from the album, with an introduction by Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton; an ebook of the entire collection; and an upcoming documentary.
The project was the brainchild of Kate Dawson, an actor and writer who, while pregnant, wanted to find a way to honor the memory of her cousin, Jill, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2006. Dawson turned to Jodi Glucksman, an actor and educator, who was immediately interested in a lullaby project that would support breast cancer research and give hope to survivors.
“Nearly everyone we contacted has been touched by [breast cancer],” says Glucksman. “So the concept really resonated with people, and seeing how people responded propelled us to get more ambitious and expand the scope of the project.”
The concert showcased 13 of the lullabies from the CD with performances by Marc Kudisch, Marva Hicks, Nikki M. James, Caesar Samayoa, Janet Dacal, Anastasia Barzee, and others, as well a duet performed by Dawson, and her husband, Jed Cohen. Among the performances was a comical number that played to a parent’s frustration when a child won’t go to sleep (“A Father’s Lullaby”), a lavish instrumental piece that celebrated the joys of being a new parent (“First Sonogram”), and a serious number that portrayed parents’ love for their children (“Every Breath and Thought”). Grammy-nominee Matt Pierson produced the recording and served as the evening’s musical director. Audience members ranged in age from infants to grandparents
The picture book of lullabies contains illustrations by some of today’s top artists, including cover art by Jules Feiffer and full-page illustrations by Wendell Minor, John J Muth, Peter H. Reynolds, Melissa Sweet, Paul O. Zelinsky, and others.
The two-CD set and book can be purchased from Over the Moon’s website, as well as from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Check out two songs from the album: “Over the Moon,” performed by Caesar Samayoa, and “How Much Love,” sung by Audra McDonald.
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