Thanks! Silly Joel pays the RENT

Thanks to everyone who came out for “Silly Joel Pays the RENT” at The Plaza on Wednesday night, a fundraiser to pay for professional-quality sound equipment for the Springfield Theatre Centre’s production of RENT. Illinois’ #1 Billy Joel cover band, Silly Joel, treated the crowd to a host of Billy Joel favorites (and others) and also invited the cast of RENT up to the front to sing the RENT anthem “Seasons of Love”, fronted by Natalie Randall and Sean Michael Butler. In true pass-the-hat style, cast members encouraged audience members to drop their $1s, $5s, $10s, and $20s into the box to contribute toward the cause. Thanks to The Plaza for providing the location and for generously contributing the first $250 toward the effort. In total, $834.47 was raised, which will go a long way toward the rental of equipment that will improve the experience of our production for all audience members. Thanks, everyone!