Cuccioli, Kravits, et al. Set for Bickford Theatre Benefit, 4/9

The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, is proud to present The Best of Times: A Star-Studded Salute to the Tony Awards, its annual benefit fundraiser, on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 8 p.m. The Best of Times stars Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), and Broadway and Regional favorites Suzzanne Douglas (3Penny Opera, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill), Christine Marie Heath (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), Garth Kravits (The Drowsy Chaperone), Rob Richardson (A Tale of Two Cities), Joel Robertson (Les Miserables), David Sabella-Mills (Chicago), Matthew Shepard (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Wonderful Town), Julie Waldman Stiel (The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber), and Susan Speidel (Saturday's Highlife).

Audiences can expect to hear musical selections from Tony-winning and nominated shows such as Les Miserables, Funny Girl, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Jekyll & Hyde, Monty Python's Spamalot, Chicago, Mame, The Drowsy Chaperone, My Fair Lady, Company, The Scarlet Pimpernel, La Cage Aux Folles, and more with song favorites including "Defying Gravity," "This Is The Moment," "I Dreamed A Dream," "Not While I'm Around," "Bring Him Home," "Wunderbar," "If He Walked Into My Life," "Ev'rything's Coming Up Roses," and "Don't Rain On My Parade".

The Best of Times is directed by Stephen Kantrowitz, Bickford Theatre Asst. Artistic Director, and produced by Jodi Chekofsky. Joe Elefante (Broadway's Jersey Boys and Paper Mill Playhouse's Hairspray) serves as Musical Director.

Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli has been seen on Broadway in Jekyll & Hyde (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards), Les Miserables, Off Broadway in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Temporary Help, Enter the Guardsman, And the World Goes ‘Round (Outer Critics Circle Award), Gigi, and The Rothschilds. Tours include Jekyll & Hyde (Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Award), and Camelot with Richard Harris. Regional credits include A Moon to Dance By with Jane Alexander, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ and DC, The Guthrie, Pittsburgh CLO, McCarter Theatre, and a dozen productions at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Suzzanne Douglas has been seen on Broadway opposite Sting in The Threepenny Opera, as well as Into The Woods, The Tap Dance Kid, Sophisticated Ladies, and A Grand Night For Singing. A 30-year veteran of film and television and stage is best known for her work on The Parent Hood', How Stella Got her Groove Back, The Good Wife, Are we There Yet? Sounder for ABC/ Disney, and much more. Ms. Douglas has appeared in the Regions in numerous productions including the Bickford Theatre's smash hit, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. From her riveting portrayal of Dr. Bearing in Wit to the tenderhearted Bess of The Old Settler, she brings an edge of authenticity to her work. Look for her upcoming film Changing the Game.

Tickets for The Best of Times are $125 and include the show and a lavish "Mingle with the Broadway Stars" Cocktail Reception, immediately following the performance. A special VIP Donor Package is also available for $250, which includes the show, reception, Priority Seating, and Program Book listing. Limited Show Only tickets are available for $65.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at (973) 971-3706 or in person at the Bickford Box Office. The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located within the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-up hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please visit us 24/7 at www.bickfordtheatre.org.