Executive Overview
On September 15, New York City’s vibrant Theater District will once again become the epicenter of a unique collision between world-class performance art and life-saving medical philanthropy. The Janice Jam, a critically embraced bimonthly concert series, is officially returning to the main bar and lobby of the Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel. Serving as the latest installment of the venue’s celebrated Broadway Tuesdays at Paramount initiative, this upcoming evening promises an eclectic mix of show tunes, powerhouse vocals, and community building, all anchored by a singular, vital mission: raising critical funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) through on-site donation opportunities.
For musical theatre aficionados, industry insiders, and casual visitors alike, The Janice Jam has rapidly evolved from a grassroots gathering into a cornerstone cultural event. By transforming a prominent hospitality space into an intimate, high-energy cabaret floor, the series bridges the gap between Broadway’s elite performers and the public that adores them.
Co-founded and executive-produced by actor and creative force Matt DeAngelis, the series operates on a deceptively simple yet profoundly effective formula: gather some of Broadway’s most recognizable voices, pair them with rising stars and dynamic specialty acts, and channel the resulting communal joy into supporting groundbreaking scientific research. As the curtain rises on the September 15 iteration, this comprehensive report explores the anatomy of the event, the star-studded lineup gracing the stage, the vital partnership driving its physical home, the logistics of its philanthropic engine, and what this ongoing residency signals for the future of community-driven activism in the heart of Manhattan.
Detailed Chronology and Event Breakdown
The timeline for the September 15 event is designed to seamlessly integrate into the bustling evening schedules of both local New Yorkers and international travelers navigating the neon-drenched corridors of Times Square.
- 5:00 PM – Doors Open: Guests are invited to enter the sprawling, beautifully appointed main bar and lobby of the Paramount Times Square. This early opening allows attendees to secure optimal viewing positions, sample craft cocktails, and immerse themselves in the buzzing pre-show atmosphere that has become a trademark of the Broadway Tuesdays residency.
- 5:30 PM – Performances Begin: The evening kicks off promptly, maintaining a high-octane pace through a carefully curated setlist of musical numbers, specialty acts, and collaborative performances. Accompanied expertly by pianist and musical director Ethan Smith Cohen, the performers take the floor in an unpretentious, up-close-and-personal configuration that strips away the traditional proscenium arch, fostering a rare sense of intimacy between artist and audience.
A Masterclass in Crossover Talent: The September 15 Lineup
The curation for The Janice Jam has always relied on an eclectic juxtaposition of seasoned Broadway veterans, genre-defying recording artists, distinct specialty acts, and tomorrow’s headliners. The September 15 roster stands as one of the most diverse and powerhouse-heavy lineups in the series’ history.
Headlining the vocal performances is Talia Suskauer, widely celebrated for her soaring, definitive portrayal of Elphaba in blockbuster hit Wicked on Broadway. Joining her is Nick Rashad Burroughs, whose commanding theatricality and powerhouse vocal prowess electrified audiences in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. The evening also welcomes Leenya Rideout, whose formidable multi-instrumental and vocal talents were recently on display in Music City, alongside Michael J. Mainwaring, fresh off his triumphant run in Broadway’s maritime folk-musical Swept Away at the Longacre Theatre.
Adding further theatrical pedigree to the bill is Donnie Kehr, an original cast member of the phenomenal Tony-winning jukebox musical Jersey Boys, alongside acclaimed recording artist Kim McClay and Hannah Bonnett, known for her dynamic work in Legally Blonde.
Breaking the mold of traditional musical theatre formatting, the evening will also feature a special appearance by drag legend Selma Nilla, injecting the space with the vibrant, irreverent, and inclusive energy of New York’s premiere nightlife culture.
True to its commitment to fostering the next generation of professional talent, the showcase will spotlight the Team Janice Rising Stars—a cohort of emerging performers comprising Matt Meixner, Josie Dobson, Hazel Brady, Ludmila Piovano, and Francesca Loeber. Under the musical direction of Ethan Smith Cohen, who anchors the evening’s complex arrangements from the piano, this multi-generational assembly of artists guarantees an emotionally resonant and dynamically varied auditory experience.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Intersection of Art and Philanthropy
To fully appreciate the impact of The Janice Jam, one must examine the socio-economic and cultural landscape of the post-pandemic Broadway ecosystem and the mechanics of modern grassroots arts-based fundraising.
The Hospitality-Broadway Symbiosis
The choice of the Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel as the permanent home for Broadway Tuesdays at Paramount is far from accidental. Historically, the relationship between Broadway producers and neighborhood hoteliers has been transactional: tourists sleep in the hotels and walk to the theatres. However, post-pandemic urban recovery has necessitated a shift toward experiential hospitality. Venues like the Paramount are no longer merely places to rest; they are destination hubs that actively participate in the cultural fabric of the neighborhood.
By carving out a recurring bimonthly residency for live performance, the Paramount effectively extends the footprint of the adjacent Broadway houses. For tourists, it offers an accessible, low-barrier entry point to see top-tier Broadway talent outside of the expensive ticketing structures of traditional commercial houses. For locals, it provides an authentic neighborhood watering hole where the creative class can decompress, network, and give back.
The Philanthropic Engine: Empowering the BCRF
While the entertainment is the primary draw, the beating heart of The Janice Jam is its unyielding commitment to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. By investing in metastatic research, prevention, treatment, and survivorship, the organization has played a pivotal role in every major breakthrough in breast cancer diagnostics and therapeutics over the last three decades.
Arts-based fundraising carries a unique efficacy. Emotional resonance—such as that produced by a transcendent vocal performance or the shared communal joy of a crowded cabaret room—has been clinically proven to stimulate generosity and prosocial behavior. When patrons witness artists pouring their souls into a song just feet away from them, the psychological barrier to giving is lowered.
The Janice Jam capitalizes on this phenomenon through seamless, on-site donation opportunities. Whether through digital QR-code integration, direct contributions, or venue-wide partnership pledges, every dollar raised during these bimonthly events flows directly into the life-saving pipelines of the BCRF. Direct contributions can also be made independently by visiting BCRF.org.
Official Statements and Industry Perspectives
The success and cultural footprint of The Janice Jam are heavily attributed to the collaborative vision of its leadership team and its corporate partners. In official statements released ahead of the September 15 event, the organizers and executives emphasized the deeper significance of the residency.
Executive Producer and co-founder Matt DeAngelis articulated the core philosophy driving the endeavor:
"We wanted to create a space where the theatre district truly calls home. By partnering with Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel, we are able to provide a recurring stage for incredible performers while continuing our mission to support life-saving research through BCRF."
DeAngelis’s sentiment underscores a long-standing industry desire for organic, artist-led spaces. Too often, commercial theatre is bound by rigid corporate structures and prohibitive economics. The Janice Jam cuts through that red tape, offering a playground where artists can test material, collaborate across disciplines, and exercise their craft purely for the love of the art form and the betterment of society.
Echoing this enthusiasm, Annajane Güzel, Vice President of Marketing at Generator, highlighted the geographic and cultural alignment of the partnership:
"Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel sits at the center of New York’s iconic Theatre District, making our collaboration with The Janice Jam an authentic and natural partnership focused on fostering the Broadway community, New Yorkers, and our global guests. Through this ongoing residency, we are proud to further establish the hotel as a hub where the unmistakable energy that defines New York City comes alive night after night."
This sentiment points to a broader branding triumph: the hotel has successfully positioned itself not just as a bed-and-breakfast stopover for tourists, but as an active cultural commissioner and patron of the arts.
The Production Brain Trust
The immense logistical and creative lift required to mount a bimonthly, high-caliber variety show of this scale falls upon a dedicated production team. Alongside Matt DeAngelis, the series is co-produced by Alex Temple Ward, Bryan Campione, Christine Dwyer, and Katie Michelle Stahl, with crucial operational and promotional support from Imani Denson-Pittman and Madeline O’Hara. This collaborative administrative framework ensures that every event runs with the polished precision of a commercial Broadway house while retaining the warmth and unpredictability of an underground jam session.
Future Outlook: The Evolution of Broadway Tuesdays
As The Janice Jam continues its bimonthly residency at the Paramount Times Square, industry observers are closely watching the model for its scalability and long-term viability. The success of Broadway Tuesdays at Paramount suggests a blueprint for future collaborations between the hospitality sector and the theatrical unions and communities.
Expanding the Cultural Footprint
In an era where brick-and-mortar cabaret spaces in New York City have faced mounting economic pressures and closures, pop-up and lobby-integrated residencies represent an innovative survival strategy. They utilize under-activated architectural spaces during off-peak hours (such as late afternoons and early evenings), converting dead zones into vibrant revenue and community generators.
For the performers, these spaces offer invaluable reps—opportunities to keep performance muscles sharp between theatrical contracts, workshop new material, and cross-pollinate with artists from entirely different theatrical bubbles (such as merging the worlds of Wicked, Jersey Boys, and Broadway drag culture).
A Call to Action for the Community
Looking past the September 15 event, the producers of The Janice Jam envision an ever-expanding network of donors, artists, and patrons committed to the fight against breast cancer. With millions of tourists streaming through Times Square annually, the potential to capture micro-donations and channel them into major philanthropic impact is virtually limitless.
The September 15 installment of The Janice Jam is more than just a free-flowing evening of showtunes and high notes; it is a testament to the resilience, generosity, and unbreakable spirit of the Broadway community. It proves that when artists and businesses unite under a common banner of civic responsibility, the results can resonate far beyond the footlights—transforming a hotel lobby into a sanctuary of hope, and a song into a cure.
For more information about the Paramount Times Square and upcoming programming, visit paramount.staygenerator.com. To contribute directly to the fight against breast cancer, please visit BCRF.org.
