Redmond High School (RHS) senior Kyle Anderson invites the community to a cabaret show benefiting Seattle Children’s Hospital.

It’s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at the RHS Performing Arts Center, 17272 NE 104th St. Admission is $5 and all proceeds will be donated to the uncompensated care program at Children’s.

Local arts enthusiasts might remember Anderson’s exuberant performance as Curly in the RHS production of “Oklahoma!”. He’s been a thespian since the fourth grade and views this fundraising effort as a way to repay the doctors and nurses at Children’s, who’ve come to his rescue — not once, but twice.

“When I was eight weeks old, I became gravely ill. My parents took me to Seattle Children’s Hospital, but no one could determine why I was sick,” Anderson explained.

Initially, they thought he might have meningitis. But “after several days of pricks, tests and scans, they finally discovered that I had a growth in my abdomen. This growth was poisoning my entire body. Luckily, I was rushed for emergency surgery and the doctors saved my life.”

Anderson’s parents were told it was very rare to find such cysts in infants and the case was documented in medical journals.

Sixteen years later, Anderson found himself back at Children’s, diagnosed with another mysterious — and unrelated — illness.

“For two weeks I was in the hospital as the doctors were puzzled by a growing infection in my neck. Luckily, they finally found a treatment that cured my infection and I made a full recovery,” he said.

“I am very grateful for the care and service of Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. Without their dedication and expertise, I would not be here today.”

He described his benefit concert, “Cabaret ‘08” as a selection of musical theater songs by composers ranging from Oscar Hammerstein II to Jason Robert Brown.

The performers come from the University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati—CCM, Point Park University, Boston Conservatory, Cornish College of the Arts, Bellevue Community College, Roosevelt High School, Newport High School and of course, Redmond High.

“We are also extremely fortunate to have an incredible accompanist, who is currently studying at the University of Miami,” said Anderson.

We asked him how he recruited so much talent.

“Musical theater actors share a close bond and connection with each other,” he noted. “We help each other out in many ways. It was a matter of making a few phone calls and sending out invitations. My friends are very supportive and generous with their limited time.”

Organizing this show is Anderson’s culminating project and since it’s a fundraising event, he had to get permission from Children’s to use their name and logo. Kristin Peterson, development coordinator for the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation has been his project mentor. He also collaborated with Ruth Barton, who manages the RHS Performing Arts Center and said his family, teachers and community have all been a part of making this happen.

“We were thrilled that he chose Children’s as the beneficiary,” said Peterson. “He’s done a wonderful job with being proactive and promoting the event through video, flyers and (the) Web while meticulously meeting our graphic and content standards.”

According to Peterson, in 2007, more than 80,000 families benefited from uncompensated care at Children’s “and that number is quickly growing.”

The hospital has more than 500 funds that rely on the community’s giving and support and “we are thankful for each contribution, be it $100 or $15,000. The saying is true, ‘Every little bit helps,’” said Peterson.

She added, “Uncompensated care, which is the fund Kyle is supporting, is one of our greatest needs. This fund ensures that no child is ever turned away due to their family’s inability to pay. Every year, Children’s has more than 232,000 patient visits and many of their families can not afford the full cost of their medical care. This year, the hospital expects to provide over $65 million in uncompensated care for those in need.”

Anderson plans to study theater at a four-year university, perhaps minoring in marketing or public relations — and wants to pursue a career on Broadway.

To view a video about his benefit concert for Children’s, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd4Go-xYStg