Amagansett resident Scarlett Johansson and her Avengers co-stars, Academy Award® nominee Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner, Tony Award nominee Mark Ruffalo, Frank Grillo, and Maximiliano Hernandez, were real life superheroes on Monday, November 6 as the talented troupe took the stage at Atlanta’s iconic Fox Theatre to star in a benefit reading of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Organized by Johansson and The John Gore Organization, the leading developer, producer, distributor and marketer of Broadway theatre worldwide, the star-studded performance raised $500,000 for the relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
“We are all deeply touched by the outpouring of generosity and support from the local community,” Johansson remarked. “We knew we could count on you, Atlanta!”
The full house (over 3,500 tickets were sold) marks one of the biggest audiences that the production has ever been presented to in a single night.
“We couldn’t be happier to support our friend, Scarlett, and her co-stars in producing this evening for such a worthy cause,” John Gore, Chairman and CEO of the John Gore Organization, shared.
The evening began with opening remarks by Tony winner Kenny Leon – who directed the play – and Xiomara Caro from the Maria Fund. They were also joined by Johansson.
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Scarlett Johansson and Kenny Leon. (Photo: Emilio Madrid-Kuser/Broadway.com) |
“We are deeply grateful to Scarlett Johansson, Kenny Leon and everyone involved in the production of this play for stepping up and contributing their talent to help towards the equitable and just rebuilding of Puerto Rico,” explained Xiomara Caro, Director of New Organizing Projects for the Center of Popular Democracy and coordinator of Maria Fund. “This event demonstrates the importance of collective solidarity and responsibility and how powerful it is when we come together to help our communities.”
Housed at the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD), The Hurricane Maria Community Relief & Recovery Fund is using the support to provide “immediate relief, recovery and equitable rebuilding in Puerto Rico for low-income communities of color hit hardest by the storm,” aiding organizations that are “working on the frontlines with these communities.”
“A month after Hurricane Maria, millions are without power, or regular access to clean water and food. But there are also hundreds of grassroots organizations and community-run initiatives that are building community everyday to provide relief and organize a short and long-term response to all of these issues,” Caro added “This is the kind of initiatives Maria Fund is supporting.”
