Blossoming Hope Through "Myth, Magic & Mystery"

Make the impossible possible.

Voices of Hope is excited for audiences to attend its 16th annual fall gala, “Myth, Magic & Mystery,” on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8:00 p.m. The evening will be filled with Broadway music, stories, and dance.

In 2009, following the passing of his mother to pancreatic cancer, Greg Chastain never imagined a one-night benefit show in Winchester, MA, would lead to the establishment of Voices of Hope. Now in its 17th year, the volunteer-based group has donated $1.2 million to cancer research to help find a cure.

“This year’s (gala) is about making the impossible, possible,” said Chastain, the organization’s president and founder. He said the show will feature songs from Hadestown, Phantom of the Opera, Willy Wonka, and more, with hosts Sue Tabb and Broadway guest stars, Christine Dwyer and Matt DeAngelis.

Executive Director Dana Siegel said “Myth, Magic, & Mystery” was inspired by a cabaret project. “Every gala is an opportunity to tell (Voices of Hope’s) story through music and dance and to share our mission of a cancer-free world,” she said.

When thinking about hope, Siegel thought of the song “Impossible, It’s Possible” from Cinderella, noting “It takes a little bit of crazy to believe in the impossible... and that it is possible!”

Music Director Dan Tang, who has been with Voices of Hope since 2016, said he loves arranging for all the concerts and describes this year’s gala as “a show of wonder.” When planning started in May, Tang said they trimmed a list of 100 songs and chose 20 that fit their theme.

“Watching our members take new risks and try new things is unbelievably rewarding,” Tang said.

More than 90 volunteer cast members and creative team members have brought ideas, energy, and talent to life in rehearsals. Music includes showstopping tunes, like “Wait for Me,” “Pure Imagination,” and “Everybody’s Got to Be Somewhere.”

“I’m especially excited about the big ensemble moments where you feel the collective power of everyone on stage,” said cast member Kenny Meehan. “This performance is about what we can achieve together.”

While juggling their busy lives in three nights of rehearsals, the cast has gelled quickly and learned the trickiest songs. Most have cancer-related stories that brought them to participate in the organization.

“Voices of Hope is not only a place where we can use our talents to make a difference, but it’s an extended family, a source of comfort, support, and shared goals,” said cast member and youth program producer, Diane Meehan.

This year’s gala honors the memory of member, Meghan (McWeeney) Melo, who passed away in June 2025, following a battle with breast cancer. Melo was a member of Voices of Hope since 2011, when she battled and beat stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 16. She performed in a few concerts until focusing on front-of-house duties.

Her mother, Kara McWeeney, will continue with front-of-house duties this year. She has been involved with the organization since 2010.

“Every decision, every basket I put together is part of keeping Meghan’s love alive,” McWeeney said. As a promise made to her daughter, she continues to keep her memory, fighting spirit, and beautiful soul alive, especially for Melo’s 3-year-old son, Caleb.

“The most important part of this year’s gala is to remind our audiences that we need to continue raising money and awareness for cancer research,” McWeeney said. “Voices of Hope never left our side during the past two years with Meghan’s battle. We are a family all fighting to cure cancer.”

Melo’s memory continues to shine with a full-page remembrance in the program and including sunflowers in all the show’s publicity. Sunflowers were Melo’s favorites.

All donations support the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at the MGH Cancer Center in Boston, Voices of Hope’s partner since 2014.

Nurse director, Casandra McIntyre, said their support has helped fund clinical trials, purchase chairs for family members, find patient transportation, and support nursing research.

“Voices of Hope does a wonderful job of spreading the word about Termeer, and for this, we are truly grateful,” McIntyre said. She said she has never missed a concert.

Everyone involved hopes that audiences will feel uplifted, inspired, and reminded of the power of community - and most of all ‘hope.’

“Myth, Magic & Mystery” begins at 8:00 p.m. at North Shore Music Theatre on Oct. 4, with the silent auction at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at: https://www.nsmt.org/concerts.html