Megan Hilty Headlines 42nd Street Moon's WHAT WE DID FOR LOVE Gala Tonight

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon announces WHAT WE DID FOR LOVE, a gala fundraising evening with special guest, star of NBC's Smash, and Sean Saves the World, Megan Hilty, 6pm, tonight, February 27 at Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave, San Francisco. In addition to the "smashing" talents of Broadway and television star Megan Hilty, the evening will include cocktails, dinner, a brief live auction, and a "MoonGlow Cabaret" with clarion-voiced chanteuse KLea Blackhurst and other Moon performers. Guests are invited to dress in cocktail attire with a dash of red. For tickets ($375 - $7500) the public may contact 42nd Street Moon at (415) 255-8207 or for more information visit 42ndstmoon.org.

The evening kicks off at 6pm with cocktails. At 7pm, guests will be treated to a lavish dinner and a live auction, followed by a concert from Megan Hilty. Fans of NBC's Golden Globe-nominated television series Smash will recognize the "blonde bombshell" from her role as the talented triple-threat "Ivy Lynn" and more recently from her turn as "Liz" on Sean Saves the World starring Sean Hayes. But Ms. Hilty is no stranger to the live stage. Well before her featured roles on primetime television, she had established herself as one of Broadway's brightest rising stars with her critically acclaimed debut as "Glinda" in Wicked and with her Drama Desk-nominated portrayal of "Doralee Rhodes" in 9 to 5: The Musical (the role originated on film by Dolly Parton). Following her Broadway successes, Ms. Hilty appeared in popular television shows such as Bones, CSI, The Closer, Desperate Housewives, and Ugly Betty, before landing her breakout role on Smash. She quickly gained a following, and earned a Grammy nomination for her rendition of "Let Me Be Your Star."

In 2012, Ms. Hilty also starred as "Lorelei Lee" in the City Center Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes drawing the ultimate praise from The New York Times, which noted that Ms. Hilty's performance made you forget those by Marilyn Monroe and Carol Channing. Last spring, she released her first studio album titled "It Happens All the Time" on the Sony label. Ms. Hilty currently stars opposite Sean Hayes in Sean Saves the World on NBC, seen Thursday nights at 9pm (8pm Central). Ms. Hilty will be accompanied by her Musical Director Bryan Perri.

Following the dinner and concert, guests will be treated to a "MoonGlow Cabaret," featuring singer-actress-comedienne KLea Blackhurst. Best known for Everything the Traffic Will Allow, her tribute to Ethel Merman, Ms. Blackhurst has gone on to create acclaimed musical tributes to the works of composers Vernon Duke and Hoagy Carmichael. She has appeared with orchestras and symphonies at top venues across the country and abroad. At 42nd Street Moon she has appeared in Red, Hot and Blue and Call Me Madam. The MoonGlow Cabaret will also feature 42nd Street Moon favorite performers including Ryan Drummond, Darlene Popovic, Bill Fahrner, Lesley Hamilton, and more.

Organizers of WHAT WE DID FOR LOVE are Gala Co-Chairs Susie McBaine and Cia Townsend, Performance Co-Chairs Pat McBaine and Bob Podesta, Auction Chair Joanna Leighton Nevesny, and Event Producer Cindy Goldfield. For 42nd Street Moon, Greg MacKellan serves as Artistic Director, Stephanie Rhoads is Producing Director, and Joe Mader is Managing Director.

For 21 years, 42nd Street Moon has celebrated and preserved the art and spirit of the American Musical Theatre. To contribute to the evolution and continuing vitality of the art form, 42nd Street Moon presents intimately produced performances of classic and rarely performed musical works. Through its productions, educational programs, and community outreach, 42nd Street Moon is committed to increasing the awareness and appreciation of the rich heritage and cultural perspective of the musical theatre and its vast influence on the world stage.