| Kyle DeSantis, Jason VanLente, Drew DeSantis, Abigail DeSantis, and Thomas VanLente (L-R) at the opening night benefit |
Following the opening night of Sweet Charity at the Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace Theatre, "big spenders" opened their hearts and pocketbooks in support of ovarian cancer research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Held in memory of Diane VanLente, late producer of Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace Theatre, the benefit welcomed donations from all who attended opening night. Mrs. VanLente received treatment for ovarian cancer for four years at the Lurie Cancer Center. Mrs. VanLente's sons, Jason and Thomas VanLente, along with their cousins, Abigail DeSantis, Drew DeSantis, and Drury Lane Exectuve Producer Kyle DeSantis, were the motivators behind the benefit. Jason VanLente shared, "We'd like to give back as much as possible. If our support could help someone else's mother or daughter—if it helps one person not go through what our family went through—then it's a success." Set in the swinging sixties, Sweet Charity chronicles the romantic misadventures of an unlucky-in-love dance-hall girl. Originally choreographed by Bob Fosse and written by Neil Simon, Sweet Charity is as unforgettable as it is charming. A captivating score by Cy Coleman includes such hits as Big Spender and If My Friends Could See Me Now. The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University is dedicated to scientific discovery, advancing medical knowledge, offering compassionate, state-of-the-art cancer care, and training the next generation of clinicians and scientists. The Lurie Cancer Center is the only "comprehensive" cancer center in Illinois and one of only thirty-nine in the nation to hold this prestigious National Cancer Institute designation. In addition, the Lurie Cancer Center is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an exclusive alliance of twenty-one of the nation's leading cancer centers. To make a gift in memory of Mrs. VanLente or in support of ovarian cancer research, please contact Jeannette Schar at 312-503-6099. |
