It's a Matter of Pride

Friday, June 2, kicks off Pride Month at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center with an outrageous 8 p.m. performance of “Pride Anthems,” the songs and music that defined the movement, performed by Broadway stars Brian J. Nash, Kevin Kirkwood-Smith, Natalie Joy Johnson and Jon-Michael Reese.

“Pride Anthems will be an all-out musical celebration of songs that represent the legacy of the Pride Movement,” explained Julienne Penza-Boone, WHBPAC’s executive director. “A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Pride Live, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to accelerating awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community via social advocacy and community engagement to advance the fight for full equality.”

Under the direction of Brian J. Nash, Pride Anthems will be a vibrant celebration with the music of Madonna, Erasure, Donna Summer, Lady Gaga and more. Nash is an award-winning pianist, singer, musical director, orchestrator and producer who has been the musical director of many off-Broadway and regional productions. Nash has worked with Jennifer Holliday, Deborah Cox, Andy Bell (Erasure), Ana Gasteyer, Laura Benanti, Tiffany, Shoshana Bean, Natalie Joy Johnson, Ada Vox, Christina Bianco and many others. He recently sold out a run at the Sydney Cabaret Festival, performs around the world as both an award-winning solo artist and music director. As a record producer, he has produced and played on pop and rock records for Justin Tranter, Shanna Sharp, Boys Like Girls, Peppermint, and Stacy Allyn Baker and many cabaret and cast albums. He holds a degree in opera performance from Boston Conservatory and has taught master classes in song interpretation all over the world. His collaboration with Natalie Joy Johnson has resulted in two multi-year residencies in New York City and recordings with their band, Miss Natalie.

Actor Kevin Smith Kirkwood is best known for his role in the Broadway hit “Kinky Boots”. He was seen on television in The CW’s “Katy Keene” and appeared as a featured performer in the 2019 World Pride Parade. Kirkwood made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and earned a New York Innovative Theater Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for “It’s Karate, Kid.” Kirkwood would go on to receive a New Hampshire Theater Alliance Award Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for “Violet” and won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance in “RENT.” Kirkwood created and stars in the wildly popular and critically acclaimed solo show, “Classic Whitney: Alive!” which has played to sold out houses at Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, on cruise ships around the world, and even a command performance at the Whitney Houston estate.

Jon-Michael Reese is an award-winning queer performer based in Brooklyn. He was last seen in the Tony Award-winning “A Strange Loop” and performed in various plays and musicals across the country, from Matt in “The Fantasticks” to James Baldwin in Jimmy and Lorraine. His cabaret, “By Myself: Judy and Jon-Michael, Together Again!” was recently seen at Club Cumming and Green Room 42.

Natalie Joy Johnson is an actress who originated the role of Suzy Solidor at LaJolla Playhouse in the West Coast premiere of “Lempicka.” Other Broadway credits include Pat in “Kinky Boots,” Enid in “Legally Blonde” and others. Johnson is an accomplished cabaret artist, selling out shows all over New York City, performing internationally and creating two multi-year residencies at gay clubs in New York.

Tickets for “Pride Anthems” are $56 to $76 at whbpac.org. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is at 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach.