For LIMTF’s Summer 2025 Festival, our students participated in a Masterclass and Music Revue Performance, Raise Your Voice With Melba Moore. Students presented solos to Ms. Moore to perfect their performances for the show later that same day. Melba also performed in our revue, including her two signature songs from Purlie “Purlie” and “I Got Love”.
A Tony-winning Broadway legend and 3x Grammy nominee, The Marvelous Melba Moore began her Broadway career in HAIR, taking over the role of Sheila from Diane Keaton — becoming the first Black woman to replace a white actress in a lead role. She also made history as the first Black woman to play Fantine in Les Misérables.
From HAIR to PURLIE, her stage presence was unmatched. Her powerful voice spanned R&B, soul, rock, jazz, gospel, and pop — earning hits like “Lean On Me” and “Read My Lips,” and making her one of just three Black women ever Grammy-nominated in the Rock category. With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, her legacy blazed trails across music, theater, and beyond.
We were absolutely honored to have this legendary musical icon join us for our program this year and mentor our future stars of Broadway!
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
Production Staff
Director/Choreographer: Nathan Brewer | Music Director: Steven Altinel | Associate Director: Meg Gerlach | Stage Manager: Anna Sieben
Assistant Stage Manager: Mae Schuberth | Photography: Jenna Raynoha | Intermediate Director: Michelle Mallardi
Intermediate Music Director: Hosun Moon | Intermediate Assistant Director: Kayla Michelle Pisano | General Manager: Vanessa D’Aconti
Cast
Soprano & Alto Ensemble:
Sudan Belnavis
Julia Cristiano
Julianna D'Addario
Julianne Donohue
Alexondra Georgiades
Maeve Gillespie
Dara Gordon
Tatianna Krummenacker
Madeline Lee
Lily Majewski
Kayla Mancuso
Isabella Marzo
Helena Miller
Zoe Moore
Mackenzie Olitsky
Lourdes Saunders-Blake
Tenor & Bass Ensemble:
Richard Campbell
Miles Cohen
James Herard
Robert McGee
Michael Meissner
Frank Minerva
Connor Reilly
Daniel Rubinson
Patrick Ruhle
Musicians:
Piano/Conductor — Steven Altinel
Bass — Adam Hammer
Drums — Jared Shaw
The Program
“Raise Your Voice” from Sister Act — Alexondra Georgiades, Dara Gordon, Helena Miller, Soprano & Alto Ensemble
“Do You Hear The People Sing?” from Les Misérables — Tenor & Bass Ensemble
“Purlie” from Purlie — Melba Moore
“I Got Love” from Purlie — Melba Moore
“You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” from South Pacific — Frank Minerva
“Run Freedom Run” from Urinetown — Patrick Ruhle & Company
“I Am What I Am” from La Cage Aux Folles — Connor Reilly
“Anthem” from Chess — Miles Cohen
“Worlds Apart” from Big River — James Herard, Richard Campbell
“Beautiful City” from Godspell — Helena Miller, Mackenzie Olitsky
“Why We Build A Wall” from Hadestown — Lily Majewski & Company
“Hopeless War” from The Outsiders — Miles Cohen, Julia Cristiano
“Back to Before” from Ragtime — Julianne Donohue, Julianna D’Addario, Kayla Mancuso
“Make Them Hear You” from Ragtime — James Herard
“Defying Gravity” from Wicked — Maeve Gillespie
“I’m Here” from The Color Purple — Tatianna Krummenacker
“Keep Marching” from Suffs — Dara Gordon, Soprano & Alto Ensemble
“Children Will Listen” from Into The Woods — Intermediate Company
HAIR Medley — Melba Moore & Company
“The Color Purple” from The Color Purple — Lourdes Saunders-Blake, Tatianna Krummenacker, & Full Company