Orpheum Theatre to Roast President & CEO Pat Halloran, 9/24

On Thursday, September 24th the Orpheum Theatre will recognize longtime President and CEO Pat Halloran with a Roast. Halloran recently announced his retirement effective December 31st of 2015. By that time, he will have completed 35 years of invaluable service to the Orpheum. Proceeds from this special night of anecdotes will benefit Halloran's last and largest project: the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Thursday, July 23rd.

"I've always enjoyed adding a little humor to my curtain speeches; now my friends and colleagues will have a chance to repay the favor," says Halloran about the Roast. "I don't mind saying I'm a little nervous - particularly since my wife, Anne, is Chairing the Host Committee - but I'm very excited to do this for the new Centre, a project that's so important to me personally and to the Orpheum family."

The Pat Halloran Roast will take place in the Peabody Hotel's Grand Ballroom and will include a sit-down dinner. Dr. Scott Morris will act as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, and six 'Roasters' will take turns honoring Halloran's illustrious career with humorous stories, sarcastic reflections, and witty character descriptions. Roasters include Kevin Kane, President and CEO of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau; Al Nocciolino, owner of NAC Entertainment in New York state; George Alvord, CEO of AEGCorp; C. Susanne Landers, Sr. Lawyer of The Landers Firm; Karl Schledwitz, Chairman and CEO of Monogram Food Solutions; and Pat's son, Patrick Halloran IV, President of Halloran Realty Group. The evening's entertainment will also include a special performance by local students, all of whom have participated or are currently taking part in the Orpheum's Education programming. Over 600 guests are expected to attend.

The Memphis Development Foundation (MDF), which operates the Orpheum Theatre, is quickly closing in on its $14.5 million capital campaign goal for the construction of the Halloran Centre. Scheduled to open in August of 2015, this 39,000 square-foot expansion, the largest capital project in MDF history, will add significant economic and aesthetic value to Downtown Memphis, enhance the Orpheum's position as a well-respected national venue, and allow the Orpheum to expand its Education programs and community services to be enjoyed and revered for generations to come.

Tickets to the Pat Halloran Roast are $250 per person or $2,500 - $5,000 for a table of 8. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Thursday, July 23rd and will be available at www.orpheum-memphis.com or by calling 901.525.7800. Sponsorship packages are also available by contacting Leanne McQuown at mcquown@orpheum-memphis.com.

To donate to the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education or to purchase a personalized brick in support of the Halloran Centre Brick Campaign, please visit www.orpheum-memphis.com/capital_campaign.