An annual musical tradition, with deep Marblehead connections, is set for Saturday, Oct. 4, at North Shore Music Theater in Beverly.
The show, “Myth Magic & Mystery,” is presented by Voices of Hope, a nonprofit that raises funds for cancer research through theatrical performances. Its mission is to achieve a cancer-free world.
Over the last 16 years, VOH has donated more than $1 million to the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at Massachusetts General Hospital. Belinda Termeer is a longtime Marblehead resident whose husband, Henri, died in 2017.
The money raised by VOH has helped bring 28 potential cancer drugs to the FDA, according to VOH spokesperson Missy Padoll.
Termeer told the Current, “It’s an incredible and amazing thing that people want to do this. This nonprofit has just been so impacted by cancer that they just wanted to make a difference… I truly believe they have made a difference.”
This year’s performance features musical storytelling where legends come to life. It includes hit songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Superstition,” “Going the Distance” and “Pure Imagination.”
The show has a volunteer cast and crew of about 120 people (all of whom have been touched by cancer in some way), including an 18-person orchestra. Several performers hail from Marblehead, including: Mary Economou and her husband, Nick, who is a cancer survivor.
Nick said performing with other people touched by cancer is a powerful experience.
“That was a huge help,” he said.
Jennifer Hurley, also of Marblehead, added about VOH, “It’s just a remarkable organization. These are extremely high-quality performers sacrificing their time, which is great because it’s about raising money and people come and it’s a good production.”
Padoll, who is also a performer, said the once-a-year show is extremely moving and meaningful.
“A lot of the people who come to our shows and who participate in our shows as either performers or members of our production staff are either themselves cancer survivors, or they are performing or participating on behalf of a loved one who had or has cancer and so there’s this healing element that comes from being among other people who have shared a common experience and can really understand what you’re going through,” she said.
To learn more about VOH or to buy tickets, visit vohboston.org.
