ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — When you get to do something you love, and it helps a friend at the same time, what could be better?
Petrina Bromley, who has been one of the stars of “Come From Away” on Broadway and Romano Di Nillo, who is part of the Broadway production's band, are joining with a band of musicians that have worked on the musical for “Home Coming Eleganza,” a one night performance inspired by Bromley’s childhood friend Shelley Stead’s brush with a rare heart condition.
Stead is a teacher at Villanova Junior High in C.B.S. She recently survived a brush with SCAD, a rare and easily misdiagnosed heart condition that when goes undetected, damages the heart. When her aorta ruptured, it was equipment purchased by the Health Care Foundation that saved her life.
Bromley and Di Nillo know that one in three people from this province will suffer from a form of heart condition and they said this is a great way to bring attention to the needs of the Health Care Foundation in its attempts to help people like Stead and many others.
“Petrina, Romano and the band are sure to fill the audience’s ears, hearts and cameras with a night they’ll never forget,” Shelley Moores, development manager for special events at the Health Care Foundation said in an email Monday.
“It’s fitting that 'Come From Away' tells the story of kindness and giving synonymous of Newfoundlanders, because every year, Eleganza captures that same kindness by channeling proceeds towards improving healthcare, right here at home, so we can take care of each other,’’ she added.
This year’s “Come-From-Away” themed Eleganza will feature performances by Bromley, Di Nillo and the band, as well as auctions and a number of games, prizes, skits, and a meal inspired by the play.
The Eleganza will take place Sept. 7 at the Delta in St. John’s. To purchase a ticket, call 777-5904 or visit HealthCareFoundation.ca.
Separate from Eleganza, but still in support of cardiac care, Bromley, Di Nillo will also perform the next day, Sept. 8 in Trinity at Rising Tide Theatre. For tickets to that event, call Rising Tide at 464-3232.
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