Tony Award-winning actress and singer Idina Menzel soars into Atlanta Sunday, May 17 for a spectacular afternoon of songs from her Warner Bros. Records debut album, “I Stand,” and her show-stopping Broadway performance in WICKED. The concert will serve to benefit Pace Academy and its vibrant arts, education and diversity programs.

In 2003, Menzel originated the role of Elphaba,"the green girl," the misunderstood witch in the hit musical WICKED which included her bravura performance of the song "Defying Gravity." The Boston Herald raved, "Menzel need only plant her feet on the ground and sing to make the back of the theatre vibrate with the power of her voice." Other credits include two Drama Desk nominations. Last year, she reprised her starring role in WICKED on the London stage. Film credits include the Disney romantic fable ENCHANTED and RENT.

“So many people struggle with that feeling of being different from those around them but I want to encourage people to think that it's more than okay to be fierce and to let it all shine,” Idina Menzel.

Idina asks the question, “What do you stand for?” Diversity at Pace Academy stands for helping others move forward. The community is invited to join us as we stand with a Tony Award-winning Broadway legend in a special performance and Q&A session to raise money to create opportunities for all youth to rise and stand.

WHO/WHAT: "Idina Menzel: I Stand, A Benefit for the Arts, Education and Diversity"

WHEN: Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m.

WHERE: The Hendrix-Chenault Theater, The Lovett School, 4075 Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327

ALSO: Special performance from Pace Academy, Ron Clark Academy and local art students.

TICKETS: $25 general seating, $50 Premium seating, $100 VIP seating and reception. Purchase tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/67523

CONTACT: Linda Smith, Director of Media Relations, Pace Academy, 966 West Paces Ferry Road N.W., c. 770-845-7414, lsmith@paceacademy.org, www.paceacademy.org