Utah Shakespeare Festival to Host Fundraising Event Celebrating Shakespeare's Birthday

The Utah Shakespeare Festival will hold its eighth annual fundraising event at Lawry's The Prime Rib Restaurant, 4043 Howard Hughes Parkway, in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 23, 2015. This event will be a big birthday bash in honor of Shakespeare's 451st birthday. Funds raised at this event help to pay for the Festival's plays, interactive experiences, and educational programming.

"This year's gala will celebrate the birthday of our namesake so our evening will be a birthday party for Shakespeare with games, photo ops and fun for everyone," said Development Director Jyl Shuler.

The program for the evening will feature past and present Festival company members, including Lew Haslem as the evening's master of ceremonies. Festival Executive Director R. Scott Phillips, Founder Fred C. Adams, and Artistic Directors David Ivers and Brian Vaughn will also be part of the evening's festivities.

This event will also pay homage to the last season in the Adams Shakespearean Theatre. After it's dedication in 1977, this theatre has seen many Shakespearean plays come to life. But 2015 will be the last time the Festival will be producing shows in the Adams due to the 2016 completion of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, which will include the new Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre, enhancing the guest experience.

Lawry's The Prime Rib Restaurant is generously serving as the host sponsor for the eighth consecutive year, and the Sam and Diane Stewart Family Foundation is also joining them as an event sponsor.

Individual tickets are $175. Tables of six or eight are also still available for interested parties. Proceeds from this event will go to the Utah Shakespeare Festival's annual fund, which is essential to the Festival's operations. To reserve tickets, visit bard.org or call 435-586-7880.