A Musicals & Mischief Show by Gary Simboli is being held Saturday, September 14, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Brockport First Baptist Church, 124 Main Street, Brockport. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. This concert is a Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) benefit in honor of Christy Fessler.
Christy Fessler is a graduate of Kendall High School (Class of 2003) who lives in Greece with her husband, David. Christy was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age two, and is now awaiting a double lung and liver transplant as a result of the disease.
Christy was a psychology professor at Nazareth University before a medical crisis in October 2023 put her in the ICU for 22 days, during which time her family was told she may not survive. She has endured several hospitalizations and treatments in the time since and is unable to work. “I’ve been walking up a very slow, but constant, downward-moving escalator for a year now, and it shows. I have almost no energy most days,” Christy wrote in a recent update.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised at the benefit will go to the COTA in honor of Christy to assist with transplant-related expenses. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy families. COTA’s services are free of charge and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
The concert will feature songs from beloved musicals, including Grease, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, and more, along with Gary Simboli’s stories of directing over 70 high school theatrical productions during his teaching career. “My stories are funny, sincere, poignant and full of the love I have for my students and musical theatre,” Simboli said.
Tickets for the benefit concert are $25 at the door. Handmade items will also be for sale. Each purchase earns an entry into a Holiday Quilt Giveaway, with the winner to be announced at the end of the show.
To learn more about Christy’s story or to donate directly, go to
http://cotaforfesslerstrong.com.
