Drama League Announces Items and Packages for First-Ever Online Gala Auction

As previously announced, on Monday, February 2, 2009, Chita Rivera, Donna Murphy, Christine Ebersole, Cheyenne Jackson, Kerry Butler and more will take part in The Drama League's 25th annual all-star gala, "A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY." This year's black-tie event, to be held at New York City's famed Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza), will honor Broadway producers Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, as well as the 25th Anniversary of The Drama League Directors Project.

Among the highlights of The Drama League's annual benefit gala is the remarkable Gala Auction. This year's auction will prove to be the most exciting in years and will feature a variety of stunning one-of-a-kind vacation packages, luxury gift items, intimate lunches with celebrities and unique theatrical experiences. For the first time this year, bidding on the Gala Auction has been made available to the general public via The Drama League's website, www.dramaleague.org, or directly at http://thedramaleague.cmarket.com.

"For those who cannot attend our special evening at the Rainbow Room, this is a wonderful way to support The Drama League from the comfort of your own home," said Harriet Inselbuch, the chair of the year's Benefit Gala.

The auction mini-site is now open, and bids will be taken on dozens of packages until the the gala event on February 2. Packages to bid on include:

~ CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' FOR TWO: Three nights at L'Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, followed by two nights at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. The package includes airfare, a VIP tour and tasting at Bouchaine Vineyard in Napa, signed magnums of chardonnay and pinot noir, a Hornblower cruise in San Francisco Bay and dinner at Poggio in Sausalito.

~ "THE COLBERT SHOW" PACKAGE: Includes VIP tickets for four people to attend a taping of "The Colbert Show" in New York City, followed by a backstage meet-and-greet with Stephen Colbert.

~ ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH PACKAGE; Experience the unparalleled beauty of Vail, Colorado. This year-round resort boasts some of the best skiing in North America as well as an amazing array of summer activities from hiking and mountain biking to fishing, kayaking, rafting, horseback riding, tennis and golf, not to mention it's famous summer music and dance festivals. This package includes airfare for 2 and one week in a 4-bedroom home in Vail, Colorado located close to town and the ski slopes. The house includes a full kitchen, laundry, two-tiered deck and hot tub.

~ I LOVE L.A. PACKAGE: Includes airfare for two to Los Angeles, two nights in a deluxe room at the Beverly Hills Peninsula Hotel, a pair of tickets to the annual "TV Land Awards" ceremony on April 18 or 19, 2009 and dinner for two at one of LA's finest restaurants.

~ PRIVATE COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT JEWELS OF OCEAN IN ROCKEFELLER PLAZA: Your private, seated dinner will be served among dazzling diamonds and gemstones where you and your guests will have an insider's view of the world's premiere jewelers glittering with all the glamour. The party includes catered food and beverages, and invitations. You and your friends will also get the opportunity to get your diamonds remounted and cleaned, your pearls re-strung and have a certified GIA specialist appraise your jewelry. Best of all, guests will leave with a gift bag from Jewels of Ocean.

~ BACKSTAGE WITH Cynthia Nixon: Includes two VIP tickets and backstage meet-and-greet with Tony and Emmy Award Winner Cynthia Nixon, who this season returns to the New York stage in the Roundabout Theatre Company premiere of Lisa Loomer's Distracted. Directed by Drama League Directors Project alumnus Mark Brokaw, Distracted is a fast-paced and disarmingly funny look at parenting in the age of the Internet and Ritalin. Nixon portrays a contemporary American mom reaches out to teachers, psychotherapists, and neighbors to figure out if Attention Deficit Disorder is the root of her son's problems.

For a complete list of items and packages, visit at http://thedramaleague.cmarket.com. All proceeds from this auction will support The Drama League Directors Project.