FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Levi Kreis, Tony award-winning actor/singer will make a special appearance at Diversity Honors, the highly touted fundraiser for the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL. His much anticipated performance will be part of an inspiring presentation recognizing those who are transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness as a kick off to Harvey Milk Day events across the nation.
The impressive roster of honorees will be Peter Clark, publisher of Hotspots Media Group; Enbar Cohen, City of Aventura Commissioner; Rae Franks, lawyer and LGBT advocate; Robert Runcie, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools and Judge David Young, plus the annual Milk Foundation Milan Rosza Award will recognize Ryland Whittington.
Levi Kreis is one of the most honest communicators you will find. In theater circles, Kreis is known for originating the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in Broadway’s Tony nominated musical Million Dollar Quartet. The role won Levi the 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, a 2010 Outer Critics Circle Award and a 2010 Drama League nomination. Other notable stage credits include the Tony nominated revival of Violet starring Sutton Foster, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and the national tour of Rent. Kreis’ interest in new works has drawn him to a few theatrical developments such as One Red Flower with Emmy Award Winning director Paris Barclay and Mozart L ’Opéra Rock with Tony nominated director Lonny Price. These works have appeared at The Kennedy Center, The Village Theater, The Goodman Theater and the North Shore Music Theater.
In film, Levi is best known for his role as Fenton, Adam’s brother (Matthew McConaughey) in Bill Paxton’s directorial debut Frailty (2001). Levi began his acting career with film and has recently returned to the screen with roles in The Divide (2016), The Storyteller (in pre-production) and A Very Sordid Wedding (in pre-production).
Kreis is a singer-songwriter whose piano-pop recordings have been featured in key moments on network television shows including The Vampire Diaries, Sons of Anarchy, So You Think You Can Dance, Mob Wives, The Apprentice, Days Of Our Lives, Young And The Restless, and several films. With four albums to date and a 2009 Out Music Award for “Stained Glass Window,” the theme song for the Del Shores film Southern Baptist Sissies, Kreis has built a loyal following that continues to expand his reach. Levi is currently working on his fifth album.
"We are extremely proud to host this annual event in support of two established organizations such as the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park,” said Susan Renneisen, VP Community Affairs & Special Events, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.“ Levi Kreis will add an amazing dimension to this inspiring event which will honor men and women who exemplify the best examples of authenticity, leadership and courage in our community."
Guests at Diversity Honors will start the evening with a lively cocktail reception including the North American premiere of the Levi’s® X Harvey Milk Foundation Pride 2016 Collection. A seated three-course dinner will be followed by a memorable awards presentation hosted by Omar Lewis, WSVN weekend morning news anchor, with Stuart Milk’s 2016 “State of the Global Equality” address.
Sponsors of Diversity Honors 2016 include Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino as presenting sponsor, Levi’s®, Mark Griffis, DMK, Goodman Public Relations, Stoli Vodka, Alpine Jaguar, Miami Foundation, Vitas Healthcare, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, JetBlue, SunTrust, Fast Printz and Lightship Media. Media sponsors are Florida Agenda, Gold Coast Magazine, Hotspots Magazine, Mark’s List, Next, South Florida Gay News and WSVN.
Tickets are $175 per person and available at www.DiversityHonors.com.
