Backstage BOOK OF MORMON & 'GENTLEMAN'S' Tours, THE VOICE Tickets & More Up for Bid in Playwrights Horizons' Annual Online Auction

Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced initial details for its 2014 special online Auction. Bidding for the auction, which will feature an eclectic array of items and unique opportunities, begins today, Friday, April 11 at 10AM at www.biddingforgood/playwrightshorizons. Online bidding will continue through Monday, April 28 at 8PM.

Celebrating its 43rd Anniversary Season, Playwrights Horizons is one of New York's most prized non-profit theater companies. Proceeds from the Auction benefit the company's six annual productions and programs, the development of new work, access to the arts for all and training the next generation of theater managers and artists. A writer's theater dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers and lyricists, it has presented the work of over 400 writers. It has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including 5 Pulitzer Prizes.

The categories for Playwrights Horizons' Online Auction include Celebrity Events, Unique Experiences, Travel Getaways, Memorabilia & Gift Items and Theater Tickets. Some of the many top items include tickets to live tapings of NBCU's "The Voice," "The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers"; Premiere Screening and After Party of AMC's "The Walking Dead" Season 5; Getaways to Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Sun Valley and a Luxury South African Photo Safari for 2; The Happiness Project: New York Times best-selling author Gretchen Rubin lunch for 6; loads of Broadway tickets with VIP backstage tours with cast members including The Book of Mormon star Ben Platt, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder star Jefferson Mays and Rocky star Margo Seibert; New York Giants Tickets and On-Field Tour; and a "Masters of Sex" set tour.

Many more items will be added throughout the auction.

All interested bidders must go to www.biddingforgood.com/playwrightshorizons to register to bid.

A second Playwrights Horizons' auction will take place at the annual Spring Gala (exclusive to those attending), which will be held Monday evening, May 5th at the event space 583 Park Avenue. Titled "IN THE BEGINNING" and hosted by David Hyde Pierce and Mary Testa, the evening will honor the theater company's Founding Artistic Director Bob Moss. Cocktails and a Silent Auction will begin at 6PM, followed by dinner at 7:30 PM and the evening's entertainment. Ticket prices for the Gala start at $1,000 and can be reserved by calling Michelle Kiefel at (212) 564-1235 extension 3143 or online at www.PHnyc.org.

Currently playing at Playwrights Horizons is the World Premiere of YOUR MOTHER'S COPY OF THE KAMA SUTRA, a new play by Kirk Lynn, directed by Anne Kauffman (now through May 11). Following KAMA SUTRA, the Playwrights Horizons' 2013/2014 Season will conclude with FLY BY NIGHT: A NEW MUSICAL, conceived by Kim Rosenstock, written by Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick and Ms. Rosenstock, directed by Carolyn Cantor (May 16-June 29).

Playwrights Horizons' recently-announced 2014-2015 Season will feature (in Season order): BOOTYCANDY, the New York premiere of a new play written and directed by Robert O'Hara; GRAND CONCOURSE, the World Premiere of a new play by Heidi Schreck, directed by Kip Fagan; POCATELLO, the World Premiere of a new play by Obie and Lortel awards winner Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Davis McCallum; PLACEBO, the World Premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Melissa James Gibson, directed by Obie Award winner Daniel Aukin; IOWA, the World Premiere of a new musical play by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Commendation winner (2008) and finalist (2013) Jenny Schwartz, music and lyrics by Todd Almond, directed by two-time Obie Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll; and a new play to be announced by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Bruce Norris.