ENCORE! A CURE!

Nearly 350 friends of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) honored the talented cast of Bombshells, The Musical with a standing ovation Sunday evening at Actors' Playhouse at The Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables.  The world premiere performance was part of a unique fundraiser called Encore! A Cure!, chaired by Dr. Carol Nudelman, and benefiting the cure-focused research underway at the DRI, where Carol and her husband, Dr. Morton Blumberg, believe the cure for their daughter, Ashley, and for the millions of others with diabetes, will be found.  

Confirming that belief, the DRI Foundation's Barbara Singer gave accolades to Nudelman before the musical performance began and thanked the audience, saying, "A lot of things are uncertain right now, but one thing is certain; The DRI will find a cure for diabetes, and everyone here is helping to make that happen."  

The evening began with a VIP reception featuring cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and the chance to browse and bid on silent auction items sure to pamper and please before general admission guests arrived.  VIP guests were also privy to the special opportunity to hear from five of the six original Miami Bombshells, whose women's group spawned this theatrical production, as well as a book called Dish and Tell, a website, a camp, and an entire following of women who can relate to the roller coaster of life these friends admit to riding.  Patricia San Pedro, Annie San Roman, Tammi Leader Fuller, Lydia Sacasa and Mercedes Soler briefly explained how they, along with Sara Rosenberg, became The Miami Bombshells and what they hoped viewers would gain from the experience.  

Nudelman was pleased to see the audience moved to laughter, tears and spontaneous applause throughout the show and to hear them humming catchy tunes from both acts upon their departure.  She chose this production for her event after meeting Fuller at a book signing in Aspen, Colorado, where she and Blumberg live.  Ever since 2000, when their daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11, they have been passionate supporters of the DRI, spearheading various fundraising projects of their own, as well as volunteering at and participating in other DRI Foundation events.  This is the second year Nudelman has organized Encore! A Cure!, but it is her first year to do so from two time zones away.  

Generous sponsors included: Drs. Morton Blumberg and Carol Nudelman; Carousel Development and Restoration, Inc.; Marie and Michael Bianchini; Lisa Cantu; Hazel Goldman; Kutner, Rubinoff and Moss; Marion A. Roletti Foundation; Dr. and Mrs. Edward Neff; Dr. Mitchell Nudelman; Harry, Lisa, Alexa and Danielle Payton; Dr. and Mrs. Floyd Seskin; Susan and Joel Tabas; Mindy Cassel; and Stan Dorman.