Friends Of NSMT Announce Fundraising Event To Save Theater

The Friends of North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) have announced details for a rousing fundraising event to help save the region's legendary theater. The event, organized by a volunteer committee of trustees, former employees, NSMT alumni and parents, will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliot Street in Danvers, MA at 6:30 pm.

The star-studded evening will be hosted by venerable NSMT actor David Coffee. Best known for his role as Scrooge in NSMT's production of A Christmas Carol, Coffee also played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, as well as countless other memorable roles at NSMT. Coffee will be joined by special guest George Dvorsky, star of A Christmas Carol, The Full Monty, Kiss Me, Kate, and many, many more NSMT productions. Dvorsky is currently starring in the First National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Also performing and lending their support during the evening will be many Boston area favorites who have performed at NSMT, including Peter S. Adams, Leigh Barrett, Maureen Brennan, Mary Callanan, Andrew Giordano, Cassandra Marsh, Cheryl McMahon, Robert Saoud, and Kathy St. George. The NSMT Orchestra led by Jay Daly will also perform, in addition to NSMT's Youth Performance Academy's Rising Stars.

The evening will also feature the opportunity to purchase NSMT memorabilia, along with a mini-silent and live auction and opportunities to win gift cards, sports tickets and other valuable gifts. Tickets are $40.00 general admission and will include dinner and entertainment. Tables of 10 can be reserved when booking under a single name. Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliot Street, Danvers, MA.

To purchase tickets, visit www.nsmt.org, call the NSMT Box Office at 978-232-7200 or mail checks to NSMT, P.O. Box 62, Beverly, MA 01915. Checks must be received by January 31, 2009.

In December, NSMT announced that without immediate philanthropic support it would close its doors after 55 years of providing performing arts and educational programming to millions. Faced with the reality of the current economic crisis, 57 employees were recently let go. Proceeds from the Save North Shore Music Theatre event will go toward resurrecting the area's most unique and intimate theatre. For more information, visitwww.nsmt.org.

Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 350,000 patrons annually. NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. NSMT has received numerous industry awards including IRNE Awards, the Elliot Norton Award, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and the Moss Hart Award. NSMT annually produces a six musical subscription series and an acclaimed concert series. With its celebrated Theater for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region's leading providers of theater arts and education.