Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz to Headline Gulfshore Playhouse's 2015 Gala Fundraiser

Two-Time Tony Award Winner Norbert Leo Butz and a live auction featuring trips for theatre lovers and others will highlight the 2015 Gulfshore Playhouse Bubbles, Baubles, and Broadway Gala Fundraiser on March 9, 2015 at the Naples Beach Hotel.

Mr. Butz is best known for his Broadway roles in Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me If You Can, Rent, and Big Fish. He received Tony Awards for his roles in musicals, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Catch Me If You Can. Norbert will perform a set of beloved Broadway show tunes and standards for attendees.

"I am excited to welcome Norbert Leo Butz to Naples for his performance at our 5th Annual Gala," says Kristen Coury, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse. "He is an amazing performer, and I am positive that our supporters will enjoy this year's entertainment, making this our best gala yet," she said.

The 5th Annual Bubbles, Baubles, and Broadway Gala Fundraiser, co-chaired by board members Naomi Buck, David Drobis, and Adria Starkey, will be held in the River of Grass Ballroom at the Naples Beach Hotel on Monday, March 9, 2015. The event will be emceed by Gulfshore Playhouse's Cody Nickell and will serve as the announcement of Gulfshore Playhouse's 2015-2016 Season.

The live auction, hosted by Scott Robertson, will include items that will appeal to everyone. For theatre lovers, Coury will host a trip to New York to see three of the hottest plays this Broadway season. A London trip will be hosted by Board Member Gail Paster, a renowned authority on Shakespeare and Director Emeritus of the Folger Shakespeare Library. It will include performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and a trip to Sratford-Upon-Avon. A Napa Valley weekend features exclusive tastings at several wineries, and lunch and dinner in top Napa restaurants.

Individual tickets are priced at $300 per person, and VIP tickets, including a private cocktail hour with special guests, are priced at $500 per person.

The event's host committee includes Erika & Peter Aron, Patty & Jay Baker, Sue Dalton, Christine & Terrance Flynn, Barbara & George Franks, Linda & Bob Harden, Jean & Leo Hertzog, Elizabeth & Jim Jessee, Linda Malone, Gail Paster, Tennille & Aaron Sevigny, Anne & Frederick Stratton, and Harriet & Donald Young.

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching the cultural landscape of our region by producing professional theater at the highest artistic level and providing unique educational opportunities to people at all levels in a spirit of service, adventure, and excitement. Our work is inspired by a belief in the magic of theater to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in our audience an understanding of our common humanity. This belief drives the respect with which we treat our artists, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community.