Michael Longoria Pride Concert Benefits NYC Homeless Youth

On June 23, Broadway singer/actor Michael Longoria kicks off NYC Pride with a benefit concert for New Alternatives, an organization that helps homeless LGBT youth 16-24 years old become self-sufficient and transition out of the shelter system and into stable adult lives.

"I strongly identify with the need to feel at 'home,' which is deeply missed when you are young and LGBT, estranged from family, and feel that there is nowhere that you belong," said Longoria. "We need to look out for the LGBT youth of our community, if we don't, who will?"

Longoria is best known for the role of Frankie Valli in the original cast of "Jersey Boys" on Broadway. �Longoria just released "Broadway Brick By Brick," a Latin-infused collection of Broadway classics including: "Maria" (from "West Side Story"); "The Sound of Music"; "Music and the Mirror" (from "A Chorus Line") and many more. �

"Broadway Brick By Brick," is a deeply personal project for Longoria, and chronicles his story, starting with his youth in Los Angeles as a Mariachi singer, his struggles with his Mexican family as he follows his dream, his road to NYU via scholarship, and achieving Broadway success, all the way to present day.

Longoria is staging the concert with the help of Taylor James of 42West PR and Kristina Bramhall from Telsey + Company. In addition to Longoria and Morris, featured performers and guests include: Constantine Maroulis, Diana DeGarmo, Daniel Reichard, Marty Thomas,�Christina Bianco,�Tori Scott,�Ryan Raftery,�Willito�Rivera,�Matthew Gagnon, Felicia Finley, Alexa Green, Ashanti J'aria, Danny Longoria, Tim Young, Jennifer Malenke, Michelle Dowdy, Cameron Mitchell Bell, Jennifer Bishop, Matthew Roscoe, Jenna Miller, Kristina Nicole Miller, Marissa Pontecorvo and Andrea Nardello.

There will be a raffle at the event with prizes including: a Broadway Records Album Package; a Bottle of Pinot By Tituss, Autographed by Tituss Burgess; Tickets to "Fiddler on the Roof," "Kinky Boots," "Finding Neverland," "Himself and Nora," "Trip of Love," and Feinstein's/54Below. � � �

New Alternatives services include case management, education services, life skills training, community-building recreational opportunities for self-expression and support services for HIV-positive youth.�New Alternatives is currently facing a crisis as they just found out that the donated space they have been using for programming will no longer be available to them after August. �

The benefit concert will be held at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 at Hardware, 697 10th Ave., New York, NY 10036. $10 suggested donation.

For more information, visit http://newalternativesnyc.org