Hayden Fowler, 4, covers his mouth with excitement as the cast of "The Phantom of the Opera" takes the stage Wednesday, May 25, in Balk Cafe at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"For the First Time in Forever" from the movie Frozen was among the favorite songs performed. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Olivia Cerny, 15, can't help smiling as a dozen Broadway performers sing Disney favorites like "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Claire Robinson, 12, is entertained by songs like "Just Around the Riverbend" from the movie Pocahontas. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
A duet performance of "Love is an Open Door" from the movie Frozen was part of the show. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Cassidy Martens, 13, and her dad, Gary, enjoy the performance. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc. was a Balk Cafe crowd favorite. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Gus Guthrie, 15, left, and Mackale McGuire, 12, watch the crowd in Balk Cafe. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Songs from The Little Mermaid, "Part of That World" and "Under the Sea" filled Balk Cafe. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"Not only is this an extraordinary, talented, phenomenal cast, they are also such nice, giving, generous people," Dr. Fahner's niece, Heather Chockley, said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
“Hakuna matata,” sang Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital patients along with visiting cast members from Broadway Grand Rapids’ production of Phantom of the Opera.
The company prompted smiles throughout Balk Cafe as they performed a medley of songs from Disney movies, including favorites from Frozen, “For the First Time in Forever” and the duet “Love is an Open Door.”
James Fahner, MD, division chief for pediatric hematology and oncology at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, has a close connection to the “Phantom” production now performing in Grand Rapids. His niece, Heather Chockley, is production stage manager for the national touring show.
“Not only is this an extraordinary, talented, phenomenal cast,” Chockley told Dr. Fahner, “they are also such nice, giving, generous people.”
The plan then came together for the cast to visit children and families at the children’s hospital.
The cast helped make for a problem-free afternoon, sharing “A Whole New World” (Aladdin), “When You Wish Upon a Star” (Pinocchio) and “Out There” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame).
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