Saenger Theatre Hosts Grand Opening Gala Tonight

The City of New Orleans, Canal Street Development Corporation and ACE Theatrical Group invite locals and visitors to officially toast the Saenger Theatre's highly anticipated reopening during a Grand Opening Gala, tonight, Oct. 3, and concert event featuring Kristin Chenoweth and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Oct. 5.

The Grand Opening Gala tonight, Oct. 3 will kick-off the official Saenger Theatre opening festivities with cocktails beginning at 6 p.m. and a VIP dinner at 7 p.m. All proceeds from the Grand Opening Gala will benefit the "Friends of the Saenger Theatre New Orleans," funding the preservation of the historic theatre and the restoration of its famed theatre organ, the Robert Morton Wonder Organ.

Following the Grand Opening Gala, the celebrations will continue with a special concert on Saturday, Oct. 5 featuring Emmy and Tony Award-winner, Kristin Chenoweth. Chenoweth is known for her roles on stage, television and film. She made her Broadway debut in Steel Pierand is known for originating the role of Glinda in the musical Wicked, as well as for her roles in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Apple Treeand Promises, Promises. An Oklahoma Hall of Fame Inductee, she received rave reviews for her role in the ABC series "Pushing Daisies," for which she received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Chenoweth has guest starred on many notable shows, including Fox's comedy Glee, earning her two Emmy Award nominations and a People's Choice Award nomination in the category of Favorite TV Guest Star. She has also starred as Annabeth Schott on the hit drama, "The West Wing" and appeared as a guest judge on "American Idol."

The public is invited to purchase tickets to both the Grand Opening Gala and the Kristin Chenoweth show. Individuals purchasing tickets to tonight's Oct. 3 Grand Opening Gala will also receive tickets to the Oct. 5 concert featuring Kristin Chenoweth and to an exclusive, VIP Pre-Show Reception. For more information on ticketing for the Grand Opening Gala, please contact 504-293-2627 or saengergrandopening@gmail.com. For those interested in only attending the Oct. 5 performance of Kristin Chenoweth and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, tickets will be available to the public beginning Friday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m. Tickets for the Oct. 5 show only are $50, $60, $70, $85 and $95 (does not include any applicable service charges), and are available at ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre box office at 1419 Basin Street.

"The reopening of the historic Saenger Theatre on Canal Street is a testament to the city of New Orleans' resilience and recovery from Hurricane Katrina," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. "This newly restored state-of-the-Art Theatre both preserves our past and is a symbol of the city we are working every day to become. The Saenger's reopening has been a long time coming but its rebirth as the premier live entertainment venue for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region has been worth the wait."

"New Orleans has been anticipating the reopening of the historic Saenger Theatre since 2005, so a major celebration is in order," said David Skinner, General Manager of the Saenger Theatre. "We are thrilled to have Kristin Chenoweth with us to mark such an important milestone in the revitalization of New Orleans and we look forward to revealing the historic venue after its $52 million restoration."

"The Saenger Theatre is the showpiece of Canal Street," said David Rubenstein, Chair of the Canal Street Development Corporation. "Through our partnership with the City of New Orleans and ACE Theatrical Group, the Saenger will once again serve as an important anchor that will spur growth and redevelopment along Canal Street and beyond. We could not be more excited about reopening the Saenger and the fantastic live entertainment it will attract to our city."

For more information on the Grand Opening Gala, concert and celebrations, visit www.saengernola.com/shows/OpeningGala.