HeartSongs: A cabaret to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for pediatric cancer research

When: July 19, 2018

Where: Don’t Tell Mama
“Original” Room
343 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036
Reservations: Online or at 212.757.0788 after 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $45 Cover (Cash only/Profits to St. Baldrick’s)

The NCIGF’s Roger Schmelzer puts the American Songbook to generous and charming use in an upbeat, tuneful evening directed by the legendary Marilyn Maye. Profits will go to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven initiative created by insurance professionals to support the most promising research in pediatric cancer. St. Baldrick’s funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Roger’s NYC cabaret during the 2017 NCIGF Legal Seminar produced over $3,000 in contributions to the SBF.

Roger says HeartSongs is about HOPE, and that enlisting the help of the guaranty fund community was important to him. “Our mission is to protect people, giving hope. Giving kids a fighting chance—the hope—to beat cancer is right where we live,” he says on his St. Baldrick’s fundraising page. “The Great American Songbook brings us together and reassures friends and family that they can chart their own course with confidence, conviction, and a spring in their step.”
On piano is Jeffrey Harris, who accompanies Ms. Maye and music directs for Maureen McGovern and Lea Salonga. NYC mainstays Jack Cavari (guitar) and Steve Doyle (bass) will also join Roger.
Roger has served on the Board of the Great American Songbook Foundation (founded by Michael Feinstein); is past–Board Chair for The Cabaret in Indianapolis; and raises money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, second only to the U.S. government as a funder of pediatric cancer research. By day, he serves as CEO of the National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds (NCIGF), with members in every state who protect insurance consumers in the rare circumstances when a property and casualty insurer fails. Roger and his wife, Indianapolis actor Cindy Phillips, have three grown children and a granddaughter!

Reviews for Roger Schmelzer
“Roger is confident, charming and original…quickly connecting with his audience thanks to lively arrangements of melodic tunes with clever or meaningful lyrics…” MYRA CHANIN, Theatre Pizzazz

“Roger makes it his business to entertain you. He is fun, festive, fervent and friendly. His love for the music is contagious and you’ll love the man who presents it!” MARILYN MAYE, cabaret and jazz artist.

“Roger is charming, quirky and original.” JASON GRAAE, cabaret artist

“Affable and engaging, Schmelzer shared his own experiences, making his performance all the more personal and intimate... the sincerity of his delivery and song choices reflect a personality marked by warmth and an empathetic attitude.” TOM ALVAREZ, The Indianapolis Examiner

“The audience enjoyed his laid-back style and self-effacing jokes as Schmelzer took us through time.” ELIZABETH J. MUSGRAVE, Gotta Go