Klea Blackhurst to Headline 42nd Street Moon Fundraising Gala in February

42nd Street Moon announces FALLING IN LOVE WITH LOVE, a fundraising gala that will honor Co-Founder and Artistic Director Greg MacKellan, who will complete his 23rd and final season with the company this June. Singer, actress, and veteran Moon performer Klea Blackhurst will serenade patrons in an exclusive concert during the evening. The event also includes cocktails, a live auction, dinner, and a "MoonLight Lounge" with Musical Director Dave Dobrusky and other 42nd Street Moon performers. Cocktail attire is encouraged. For tickets ($375 - $7500) and more information, the public may call (415) 255-8207 or visit 42ndstmoon.org.

This year's gala is held in honor of Greg MacKellan, who co-founded 42nd Street Moon with Producing Director Stephanie Rhoads 23 years ago. In October, MacKellan announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the season to return to his native Southern California, where he plans to focus on writing, acting, and directing plays as well as musicals. A veteran musical theatre writer, director, performer, and producer, Greg MacKellan's producing credits in New York and Los Angeles include The Baker's Wife, a musical he produced early versions of, working closely with writers Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein. In addition to directing and restoring dozens of productions for 42nd Street Moon, three of which were funded by NEA grants, MacKellan has served as director and writer in more than fifteen revues for various Bay Area groups. Throughout his tenure at 42nd Street Moon, MacKellan has directed more than 50 musicals, adapting the scripts for many of them.

The evening kicks off at 6pm with cocktails, and at 7pm guests will be treated to a lavish dinner and a live auction, followed by a concert from Klea Blackhurst. A favorite on the local and national cabaret circuit, Ms. Blackhurst is known for Everything the Traffic Will Allow, her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman. Her other concert credits include numerous appearances at New York's famed Birdland, a tribute to the Broadway career of composer Vernon Duke, and Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael, a collaboration with Billy Stritch. At 42nd Street Moon, she has starred in productions of Red, Hot and Blue and Call Me Madam and taught a Master Class on singing technique and song interpretation.

Ms. Blackhurst has performed concert engagements with symphony orchestras worldwide including the London Palladium presentation of Jerry Herman's Broadway with Angela Lansbury and as Ado Annie in the BBC Proms concert of Oklahoma! at the Royal Albert Hall. Following the Moon Gala, she heads to Chicago to star in the world premiere production of Hazel, a new musical based on the iconic TV maid.

Organizers of FALLING IN LOVE WITH LOVE include Honorary Chairs Pat and Susie McBaine, Planning Chair Joanna Leighton Nevesny, and Event Co-Producers Cindy Goldfield and Joe Mader. For 42nd Street Moon, Greg MacKellan serves as Artistic Director, Stephanie Rhoads is Producing Director, and Joe Mader is Managing Director.

For 23 years, 42nd Street Moon has celebrated and preserved the art and spirit of the American Musical Theatre. To contribute to the evolution and continuing vitality of the art form, 42nd Street Moon presents intimately produced performances of classic and rarely performed musical works. Through its productions, educational programs, and community outreach, 42nd Street Moon is committed to increasing the awareness and appreciation of the rich heritage and cultural perspective of the musical theatre and its vast influence on the world stage.