Chester County was treated to a spectacular event once again this year as West Chester University Theatre hosted its 16th Annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Benefit from February 5th to 7th at the E.O. Bull Center, writes Dana Perkiss, for the University’s news service The Quad.

The impressive show, which was entirely run by students and one faculty advisor, began with a rendition of Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” which was delivered by close to two dozen performers on stage.

Among the memorable performances was the flashlight choreographed Bella’s World Championships from “Pitch Perfect 2,” “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago”, and a performance of “American Idiot” from the show “American Idiot” which opened the second act.

All the performances led to an emotional finale which saw all the performers come to stage wearing red for AIDS, remembering celebrities who have died from HIV/AIDS while singing “When You Believe.”

“I was incredibly moved by the ‘I Lived’ performance because they incorporated sign language into it, and that was pretty inspiring,” said senior, McKenna Farquharson.

“I was in the benefit the past two years, and I totally appreciate the incredible hard work and dedication that goes into presenting a show for such a great cause.”

The show was produced by Daniel Bryne and directed by Chelsea Barnett, with many individuals and businesses donating to this worthy cause.

“Rehearsals were great,” said Katie Stecklair, one of the performers, “and very interesting because it’s entirely student run which is cool because the students get to try out all of the skills they’ve been learning.”

All the proceeds go to the nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. WCU has raised more than $42,000 for the organization since the first benefit was first held in 2000.

“It feels amazing being in the show because whenever I get frustrated or tired, I just remember that we’re doing something good for a charity, and that’s all that really matters in the end,” said Stecklair.

A silent auction was also a part of the benefit, with items such as Lea Michele signed CD and a Cinderella signed poster included, together with jewelry made by the benefit’s choreographer, Sarah Evans.