Kauai’s Zonta Foundation is bringing Broadway to Kauai in January Instead of hosing their traditional Eat Desert First fundraiser.
She’s Carlotta from “Phantom of the Opera” and Diva from “Les Miserables.” She’s Roxanne in “Cyrano the Musical” and filled in for Julie Andrews and Liza Minelli in “Victor Victoria.”
Her real name is Anne Runolfsson, and the Broadway star will be singing with her daughter, Tess Adams, on Kauai, along side Kauai performers Elizabeth Kreitzer, Kimberly Hope McDonough and Jessika Cristobal.
“Anne has performed at the cultural center in Maui and in New York. It’s a great opportunity to have someone from Broadway come over here. It’s something different for us,” said Darrellyn Lemke, Zonta representative who is helping to organize the event.
Runolfsson went to school with a friend of Lemke’s and it’s that Kauai connection that is bringing the Broadway singer and her daughter to the island. It sprang out of conversations about Zonta and what the organization does nationally and on Kauai.
Proceeds from the concert fundraiser, which is taking the place of Eat Desert First in 2019, will go toward The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, raising money for educational scholarships and community organizations.
“She’s done research on us and wants to help,” Lemke said. “She’s the one that came up with the title ‘Heroine’s Song’ for us.”
Those attending the “Heroine’s Song” Zonta concert can expect to hear from an all-female band and vocalists with music along the lines of pop and theater genres and featuring songs from “Wicked,” “Frozen” and “Anastasia.”
Zonta’s signature Eat Desert First event had been ongoing for 25 years, showcasing fine desserts made by local chefs — and there will still be a little bit of that flavor in the upcoming concert fundraiser.
That’s because vendors are still making desserts and attendees will be able to have a slice of something sweet during the night.
“We’ll have pupus and alcohol and we’re going to have the desserts at intermission,” Lemke said. “We’re still having some of our regular vendors come and support us as well.”
In the past, vendors have included Hukilau Lanai, Haole Girl Island Sweets, Passion Bakery Cafe and Dizzy Lizzy.
On average, Zonta’s signature fundraiser brings in about $10,000, and Lemke said the goal is to take in more than that from the “Heroine’s Song” concert.
“We’re hoping to raise more from this event,” she said. “Some years we get bigger donors and we can give more to the girls. The money all goes back into the community.”
The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation’s “Heroine’s Song” concert is set for Saturday, Jan. 12, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Cost is $75 in advance, $100 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased online at zonta-kauai.org.
