Maui News

Imua Family Services to Host Online Imua DISCOvery Gala

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Taylor Trensch,Ben Ross and Lauren Blackman.

Imua Family Services will host its “Imua DISCOvery: A Virtual Concert Spectacular” on Saturday, April 17, 2021.

The interactive online concert, broadcast in real time from the Imua Discovery Garden in Wailuku, is a fundraiser for vital money needed for early childhood development programs and services the organization provides. Imua’s programs help to address the diverse needs of Maui County’s children living with disabilities and developmental delays.

Following the cancellation of last year’s gala, Imua is eager to reengage with its supporters. Organizers say, “The event promises to be unlike anything you’ve NEVER attended before!”

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Tickets are available for purchase online at www.imuafestival.org.

The unique experience will incorporate online audience interaction and participation, real time chat, an exclusive week-long online auction, disco happy hour hosted by SongDivision, online exhibit rooms and the option to purchase Virtual Watch Parties.

Each Virtual Watch Party comes complete with four-course meal kits curated by Chef Brian Etheridge and edible Hawaiian Islands magazine.

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Joining the disco party live from Maui will be Shea Derrick and the Full Flavor Band, Imua’s Solid Gold dancers, and Broadway stars Taylor Trensch (To Kill a Mockingbird, Dear Evan Hansen, Hello, Dolly!), Ben Ross (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal), and Lauren Blackman (Anastasia, Mary Poppins, The Music Man, The Addams Family and more).

Taylor Trensch was most recently seen on Broadway opposite Ed Harris in To Kill a Mockingbird as Dill Harris. He also starred in the lead role of Evan Hansen in the musical Dear Evan Hansen and originated the role of Barnaby Tucker in the 2017 Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! alongside Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce, and Beanie Feldstein. Taylor debuted on Broadway in 2012 as Boq in the musical Wicked and currently holds the record for most Broadway shows at the Shubert Theater.
Lauren Blackman is perhaps best known for originating the role of Tsarina Alexandra in the Broadway Company of Anastasia, as well as covering the role of Countess Lily. She has been seen across the country in many leading roles and can be heard on the Original Cast Album of Salzman and Cunninham’s Next Thing You Know, where she originated the role of Lisa.
Ben Ross made their Broadway debut in 2017 as the character Jared in Dear Evan Hansen, going on to join the musical’s first national tour in the titular role. After leaving that production, they then went on to star as Henry in the Kennedy Center’s 2020 limited run of Next to Normal. In 2019, Ben won Best Leading Actor in a Musical Tour in the Broadway World Los Angeles Awards for his role as Evan Hansen.

Imua Family Services began in 1947 providing services to children with Polio in the Territory of Hawaiʻi. Today, 74 years later, Imua continues to work with families and children together with a broad scope of child development services and programs including: Infant and Early Childhood Development Services, Imua Autism Services, Imua Inclusion Preschool, Camp Imua, Dream Imua and the Kōkua Outreach Program.

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