Elijah Cross: RISE

Description

RISE is a new, inspirational show written and performed by York musician, magician and comedian Elijah Cross. In this event, Cross uses songs, sleights and silliness to tell the story of surviving his struggles with parental abuse, mental illness and homelessness, with the aim of encouraging others to not let anything keep them from using their own talents to put good in their community and the world. $10,000 in ticket sales from this event will benefit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mentalillness. Since people living with mental illness need a community that supports them, their families and their recovery, NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research, and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build hope for all of those in need. NAMI helped Elijah when he moved to York; with the need for mental health services growing while the ability to meet the demand is declining, Elijah saw an opportunity to give back to those who helped give him a start in a new home. Elijah is originally from California, and an alumnus of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, where he began playing music and acting in stage productions. While still in high school, he began working as a professional magician, and shortly after graduating, he was booking music and comedy clubgigs in his new home of New York. After a period of traveling the country, which included a very brief deal with Geffen Records, and honing an award-winning comedy act that would become praised by Conan's head writer Brian Kiley, Elijah settled down in York in 2011, portraying Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Strand-Capitol the same year. In 2013 he joined the Big Dogs of Comedy Tour, which performed at Heritage Hills-owned locations. In 2014 he appeared on FOX 43 performing his music, and built a following by playing local venues. The following year he was the opening act for Rusted Root’s Michael Glabicki and Dirk Miller in Hanover. 2016 saw the release of his debut album Here’s the Skinny, a set of songs lauded as “sterling” by folk legend Linda Perhacs.