Philadelphia Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Melba Moore at Mazzoni Center Honors
On November 3, the lights at the Kimmel Center will shine a little brighter as the Mazzoni Center Honors celebrate one of music and Broadway’s most versatile and trailblazing performers, Melba Moore, in a star-studded tribute concert. This event honors the Tony Award-winning, four-time Grammy Award-nominated singer and actress whose remarkable career spans more than six decades.
**About the Mazzoni Center Honors**
Now in its third year, the annual Mazzoni Center Honors selects a “revolutionary figure” whose work embodies the spirit of inclusivity, artistry, and resilience. Founded 45 years ago, the Mazzoni Center provides comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBTQ-focused environment.
David Weisberg, chief development officer at the Mazzoni Center and executive producer of the honors, describes the Center as “a revolutionary organization in a revolutionary city.” For 2023, Melba Moore was the natural choice for this prestigious honor.
**Melba Moore: A True Revolutionary**
Melba Moore expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m so grateful and floored by this wonderful honor from the Mazzoni Center. Throughout my years in entertainment, the LGBTQ community has been tremendously supportive. I look forward to being in Philadelphia this November for this great event.”
Dyana Williams, veteran broadcaster and presenter of the event, praised Moore’s groundbreaking career: “Melba Moore is revolutionary. Before Mariah Carey, there was Melba Moore, a vocalist with a five-octave range. She was a Broadway star, a chart-topping singer, a manager, and a pioneer in the music industry. She opened doors for others and continues to be beloved in the LGBTQ community.”
Moore’s Broadway résumé speaks volumes about her trailblazing achievements. She made history in *Hair* (1968) as the first Black actress to replace a white lead on Broadway. She then won the 1970 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for *Purlie*. Her remarkable stage career also includes starring opposite Eartha Kitt in *Timbuktu!* (1978) and portraying Fantine in the 1995 revival of *Les Misérables*.
**A Trailblazer in Music**
Moore’s success extended beyond Broadway into the music world. Legendary WDAS radio host Patty Jackson highlighted some of Moore’s timeless songs: “She gave us hits like ‘Lean on Me’ and ‘You Stepped Into My Life.’ When you hear a song like ‘Lean On Me,’ not everybody can hit those notes. It’s just a bone-chilling song.”
Weisberg sees a natural alignment between the Mazzoni Center’s mission and Moore’s legacy. “We’re a trailblazing organization that helps people live as their full selves. Melba’s career embodies that same spirit. She’s a bridge builder across genres, communities, and generations.”
**An Evening of Celebration**
The concert will take place in Marian Anderson Hall, named after the legendary Philadelphia contralto and musical icon. The event will reflect Moore’s extraordinary career spanning Broadway, R&B, disco, gospel, and pop.
Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien will host the evening, featuring a lineup of stellar performers:
– Tony Award-winning tap dancer Savion Glover
– Grammy-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer
– Rock band Low Cut Connie, hailed by *Rolling Stone* as “America’s Best Live Band”
– Broadway stars J. Harrison Ghee (*Some Like It Hot*, *Kinky Boots*), Nikki Renée Daniels (*The Book of Mormon*, *Les Misérables*), and Joy Woods (*Six*, *The Notebook*, *Gypsy*)
– Powerhouse singers Felicia Boswell and Tawatha Agee
– Rock icons Richard Barone and John Cowsill
– Philadelphia favorites Brittany Lynn, Lauren Hart, Jessy Kyle, and Nathan Harmon
– The St. Thomas Gospel Choir, delivering soaring harmonies
Music director Nick Wilders will lead a band featuring members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philly Pops.
Curating such an electric lineup is both an artistic and symbolic act for Weisberg. He explains, “Cover versions that sound exactly like the original aren’t interesting. We aim to present Melba’s repertoire in new, diverse ways that honor her and reflect the expansiveness of her career. The joy is in bringing together artists and audiences who might never otherwise share a room and creating something unforgettable.”
**A Living Legend**
At nearly 80 years old, Melba Moore continues to inspire. Dyana Williams adds, “Her voice is intact, her spirit is vibrant, and her humility is remarkable. That’s rare. She is a consummate entertainer and a living legend.”
Proceeds from the concert will support the Mazzoni Center’s mission to advance LGBTQ health. Weisberg encourages attendees to stay until the finale, promising a surprise moment that will be “extraordinary and breathtaking.”
**Remembering a Pioneer**
For those who remember Moore during her prime, this tribute is long overdue. Patty Jackson shares, “She is deserving, and oftentimes as we go on — I know the ‘80s was 40 years ago — we can’t remember those because we often forget who paved the path. That’s why it’s important to celebrate them for the doors they’ve opened. This is about reminding people of her greatness and giving her her flowers while she’s here.”
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For more information on the concert and ticket details, please visit: [www.ensembleartsphilly.org](http://www.ensembleartsphilly.org)
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**In Other News**
Misty Copeland broke barriers as the first Black female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Now, through her nonprofit, she’s making dance more accessible for children of color.
https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/music/mazzoni-center-honors-melba-moore-with-star-studded-concert-at-the-kimmel-center/article_7cea3655-6af7-467e-8ea8-49c60996b6e0.html
