It was Monday night, March 14 and the wildly popular “Wicked,” playing at the Bob Carr Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, FL through March 27, was dark for this one night of the week. And the cast donated their time and talents to put on Jazz Cabaret “Our Wicked Romance” to raise money for Broadway Cares Equity fights AIDS and the Orange County Arts Education Center, with the help of the Florida Theatrical Association.

Theatre lovers gathered at The Mezz, in the trendy downtown building The Sanctuary, to hear the cast sing their hearts out. There were two sets, with a brief intermission, which allowed time to look at Silent Auction items, more things donated to help the group raise even more money to help these causes they care so much about.

Renée Lawless-Orsini, singing “Orange Colored Sky,” introduced herself as “the star” and was very funny as she opened the second set, teasing an audience member. Her red flaming hair seemed to match the song and she was all sparkles, which stood out in this beautiful room of white, black and silver. Sterling Masters, a slim and very attractive blonde, who plays the mother of the witch, next sang “There Will Never Be Another You” and, announcing that it was her first time singing at a benefit, did a beautiful job, pleasing the audience mix of young and old, gay and straight. Marissa Lupp sang “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” followed by Bud Weber delivering “Cry Me a River” in a lovely high voice. The show was quickly paced … each performer walked onstage and immediately started his or her song. The program on each table gave their only introduction.

Next Napoleon Gladney delivered Duke Ellington’s “Beginning to See the Light,” followed by a duet by Lauren Ashley Zakrin and Corey Mach of Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow,” which was very moving! Their voices were so well matched, and after a bit of polite applause, they continued with a big rousing finish.

Melanie Field is a dancer in the show … she says she was hired just to be thrown in the air! But she sang Rogers and Hart’s “It Never Entered My Mind” flawlessly.

Mach took the stage again with Brandon Tyler for a pairing of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again,” as was once done so perfectly by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.

Stage Manager Peter van Dyke acted as the emcee and took the stage to do the big fundraiser … a walk on part with three appearances at the beginning, middle and end of “Wicked,” armed with two Orchestra tickets “so your parents can come and watch,” he joked. Peter quipped, "The cast spent more than that on headshots and boob jobs!" just to keep the bidding going, which became fast and furious and finally came down to two theatre lovers, continuing to outbid each other. Peter asked, “If we offer it to both of you at this price of $1,600, do you both want it?” The answer was an enthusiastic “YES” and so the company raised another $3,200 for the organizations! This was in addition to the admission, which started at $45, paid by the crowd, which comfortably filled the eight seats at each of 22 tables.

The director of the show, Christopher Russo, sang in the first set, along with additional performers Emily Ferranti, Brenda Hamilton, Paul Slade Smith, Melanie Field and Rick Desloge. During the second set, Russo, resplendent in a white dinner jacket, danced at the back of the room with his young daughter … both were having a wonderful time!

The evening finished with “everyone’s understudy” Mariand Torres belting “That’s Life.”

A standing ovation went to the cast, and to the Wicked Romance Band, Jason Yarcho on piano, Lou Garrett on guitar, Ian Goodman on drums and Ben Kramer on bass.

The printed program gave thanks to Actors Equity Association for cooperation in permitting the artists to perform, and to the American Federation of Musicians. It was wonderful to see so many talented people pulling together to help causes local and national that affect the theatre industry.

Now get out there and see “Wicked!”