Asolo Rep to Host LA FETE DE MONTE CARLO Gala at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota

Asolo Rep's Annual Gala: La Fête de Monte Carlo, will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota.

The largest fundraiser of Asolo Rep's season, chaired by Ann Charters, Caroline Ellerson, Susan Malloy Jones and Jill Ramsey, will begin at 6pm with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner, paddle raise, live music and dancing. It will celebrate the luxurious Mediterranean destination, Monte Carlo, which became the epitome of jet-set chic in the 1960s and one of the most noteworthy James Bond film locations.

Musical entertainment will feature acclaimed actress Veronica J. Kuehn, who wowed audiences as Miss Adelaide in Asolo Rep's hit 2016 production of Guys and Dolls and headliner Mark Zauss and his 11-piece orchestra, the 007 Band. Zauss delivers classic sounds from the 50s and 60s and entertains audiences with tributes to the esteemed British invasion music of John Barry and his Bond theme songs. Joey Panek, Senior Producer of ABC 7's Suncoast View, will emcee the event.

"This year's event will channel a 1950s and 60s Monte Carlo/James Bond theme - pulling in design elements from famous buildings like the Casino de Monte Carlo and Hotel de Paris, as well as entertainment aspects of the classic 007 movies." said Laura Stuart Wood, Asolo Rep's Special Events Manager. "Monte Carlo has so much to offer: the royalty, the Côte d'Azur, the wealth, the cars, etc. so we want to recreate the feeling of being in this luxurious place, as if guests just stepped onto a Bond movie set."

All Gala proceeds will support the artists in Asolo Rep's 2016-17 season and the theatre's award-winning Education & Outreach programs, which help students develop an appreciation for the arts while gaining empathy and insight into the lives of others through experiencing, discussing and creating live theatre.

"My co-chairs Ann Charters, Caroline Ellerson, Jill Ramsey and I have had an absolute blast planning this year's event as an homage to the iconic character of James Bond and his lavish lifestyle, filled with opulence at every mysterious turn" said Gala Co-Chair Susan Malloy Jones. "Buy a ticket in our raffle for a chance at 007's Weekend in London or a Bond Girl Spa & Shopping Day at The Met. Or play your hand in the live auction for James Bond's Virgin Island Getaway or Top Secret European River Cruise. The proceeds from the event allow Asolo Rep to continue its award-winning Education & Outreach programs. The power of this magical gift cannot be underestimated in its effect on our future generations."

The theatre is also offering a Bond-themed raffle to win one of two items: 007's London Weekend with tickets to Dreamgirls or The Bond Girl Shopping & Spa Day at The Met - Fashion House, Day Spa & Salon on St. Armands. Raffle tickets are $100 each and will be sold during the gala and before the gala at www.asolorep.org/annualgala. Winners will be selected on the evening of the Gala. Gala attendance is not required to participate in the raffle.

Immediately following the gala, the theatre will once again host a late night after party at Louies Modern from 10:30pm - 1:30am. Tickets are $40 and include a complimentary specialty drink, discounted cash bar, light bites, DJ and entertainment.

Tickets for the gala range from $300 - $1,000 and tables range from $3,000 - $10,000. For tickets and information, contact Asolo Rep Special Events Manager Laura Stuart Wood at 941.351.9010 ext. 4712 or Laura_Wood@asolo.org. More information and online tickets are also available by visiting www.asolorep.org/ANNUALGALA.

Veronica J. Kuehn* made her Asolo Rep debut as Miss Adelaide in the theatre's 2016 production of Guys and Dolls. Broadway and National Tour credits include Jovie in ELF: The Musical (Madison Square Garden), Euterpe/Kira u/s in Xanadu (Helen Hayes Theatre) and Ali/Sophie u/s in Mamma Mia! (Winter Garden Theatre). Veronica also starred Off Broadway as Kate Monster/Lucy in Avenue Q and as Monica Lewinsky in Clinton: The Musical, both at New World Stages. She can be heard on Clinton's Original Cast Recording, and has twice soloed with The Boston Pops at Boston's Symphony Hall. BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory. Thanks to Henderson Hogan and Tara Rubin Casting. @veronicajkuehn

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