The Virgin Islands Lottery jumped in at the last minute to sponsor free activities planned at the Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts for "Invincible," the Michael Jackson tribute show to be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Reichhold.
According to a news release issued Friday by the arts center, Reichhold tries to provide free activities for local children through its Arts in Education Program in conjunction with performances scheduled at the facility. The activities slated for the the Michael Jackson tribute were suddenly cast in doubt this week when funding from what the release called "a large multinational corporation" fell through.
Faced with reducing or canceling some of the activities, Reichhold struggled to fill the sudden funding gap. That’s when the V.I. Lottery stepped in and saved the day.
“I can only describe it as a real superhero moment. We were in need of one and V.I. Lottery donned the cape, swooped in and saved the day,” said Reichhold Center Director Nissa N. Copemann.
“Reichhold’s has a strong commitment to the youth of the Virgin Islands,” Copemann said, “and the idea of having to limit the number of children we could serve or even cancel some of the free art activities was heartbreaking. This is a shining example of the V.I. Lottery’s commitment to the youth of the Virgin Islands and the important role that the arts play in developing young minds. Reichhold is extremely grateful for their support.”
Conrad E. Francois II, executive director of the V.I. Lottery, said the chance to play "superhero" was for the good of the community and in line with the agency’s goals.
“It is in the best interest of the community, especially our children, that we do what we can to provide quality enrichment programs," Francois said. “What better return on investment than a program that seeks to broaden the horizons of our student population?"
"Invincible" is billed as "a glorious tribute to the King of Pop" and "the best live tribute to Michael Jackson from Las Vegas to Paris." The show features a cast singing and dancing to Jackson’s music from his days as the young lead singer of the Jackson 5 to his breakout as a charismatic pop superstar, including a host of his greatest hits like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Thriller," "Smooth Criminal" and "Remember the Time."
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Reichhold Box Office at 1-340-693-1559. The ticketing service office is open Friday until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. It is located at the Reichhold Center for the Arts to the right of the center’s main entrance.
Further information on Reichhold’s season is available online at http://www.reichholdcenter.com/, or by calling Ian M. Turnbull at 340-693-1554.
