by Charlsie-Kern Kruger
Mark this one down as a demonstration that the kids are alright.
Sometimes, in the face of political despair, the best response is to sing louder. That’s the idea behind “Misc”, a one-night-only Broadway-style concert happening Wednesday, August 6th, at the Don Tatzin Community Hall in Lafayette. The event—part performance, part protest, part homecoming—is a fundraiser for the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County, a vital LGBTQ+ nonprofit based in Concord.
The producer is nineteen-year-old Guillermo-Giovanni “Memo” Cortés, a Concord native and current Musical Theatre BFA student at Pace University in New York. Let him tell the story:
“I am currently studying to achieve my BFA in Musical Theatre at Pace University in New York City and this idea came to me earlier this year while I was sitting in my dorm room. At this time, my only summer plans for when I came back home consisted of working. Not only was I trying to find a creative outlet, but also a way to cope with the election of the new administration now that LGBTQ+ discrimination is steadily increasing. I hadn’t produced a show before but at this moment, I knew I wanted to put on a Broadway fundraiser concert.”
It’s about political activism, youthful enthusiasm, and good old let’s-put-on-a-show cornpone. Cue “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
What began as a summer creative outlet quickly became something more: a community-driven production aimed at lifting queer voices and raising essential funds through song, story, and show tune. And standing against fascism, of course.
The title presumably stands for “Miscellaneous,” which reflects the everything but the kitchen sink selection of Broadway tunes. Memo had to work fast.
After researching local nonprofits, he reached out to the Rainbow Community Center, whose mission includes mental health support, LGBTQ+ youth housing, HIV education, senior programs, and advocacy throughout the East Bay. Their response was swift and supportive.
The result: “Misc.” It’s a kaleidoscopic showcase of musical theatre hits performed by a spirited cast of emerging artists, many of whom share deep roots in Bay Area youth theater. A surprising number are graduates of or currently attending top-tier musical theatre programs (Pace, Otterbein, Chapman, AMDA, SDSU). Many share connections to Lafayette’s Peter Pan Foundation, a beloved nonprofit that trains young performers while instilling values of community service and philanthropy.
“This cast is made up of friends I’ve met doing shows back home,” Cortés says. “Everyone’s donating their time. It’s been beautiful.”
The tone of “Misc.” is celebratory but urgent. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under increasing attack, especially in statehouses across the country, this concert is more than a showcase. It’s a righteous stand against the rising tide of hatred in America. And that stand is being taken with music, joy, and unapologetic queer presence.
It’ll be a hoot! Highly recommended if you need a midweek tonic!
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The Company:
Brooke Beckham. Emma Chiappe. Guillermo-Giovanni Cortés. Austin Figueira (Guitarist). Sabrina Hernandez. Alec Home. Mina Lim. Sophie Limtiaco. Lily Llorona. Lauren Wagner.
TheatreStorm 