Connick Jr. to Auction Watches at Pajama Game Benefit Shows

Swiss watch brand Longines has created five limited edition timepieces to support Broadway's The Pajama Game benefit auction to raise funds for Harry Connick, Jr.'s various charities, including the Actors' Fund of America, The New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village and Roundabout Theatre Company's Education Programs & Musical Theatre Fund.

Although the limited run of The Pajama Game is sold out, tickets are still available for the benefit performances, which will run June 13 – 17th, at 7:00pm, at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. One watch will be auctioned off by Sotheby's and Connick Jr. on stage each night immediately following the show for live audience members only. "The five exclusive Longines evidenza limited edition watches will have a timeless tonneau-shaped rose gold case with case-back signed by Connick Jr., who is currently nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Sid Sorokin. Other features include: chocolate brown 39.4mm/40mm dial with white sub-dials and roman numerals, automatic movement caliber L650 and chocolate brown alligator strap," state press notes. The watches have a retail value of $8,500 each and can be found by visiting: www.longines.com. Connick Jr. is the watch brand's ambassador and "Icon of Elegance," as chosen by the American people via a Longines/Harris Poll on elegance. "The Broadway community has been so supportive and welcoming to me in my debut that I simply HAD to find a way to show my appreciation," stated Connick Jr. "The producers, cast and crew have generously agreed to join me in extending the run of The Pajama Game for a series of benefit performances. All proceeds from these five shows will benefit the Broadway Community as well as the displaced musicians of my hometown of New Orleans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and as we say in New Orleans, 'EH LA BAS!'"The Pajama Game, which opened at the American Airlines Theatre on February 23rd, also stars Kelli O'Hara as Babe Williams and Michael McKean as Hines, as well as Megan Lawrence as Gladys, Joyce Chittick as Mae, Peter Benson as Prez, Michael McCormick as Pop and Ganzenlicher, Richard Poe, and Roz Ryan as Mabel. The revival of the classic musical comedy, with a score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and a book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell, is directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Its limited run plays through June 11th.

The Pajama Game was recently nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Connick, Jr.), Best Actress in a Musical (O'Hara) and Best Direction and Choreography of a Musical.

The Pajama Game has been announced to transfer, with a new cast, to another Broadway theatre in the fall. The cast recording is currently available as part of the "Harry on Broadway, Act 1" CD set, which also includes songs from Connick Jr.'s 2001 Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not.

The Pajama Game is set during union disputes at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory, and centers around a love story between two people representing opposing sides of the dispute. The Pajama Game originally opened at the St. James Theatre on May 13th, 1954 to run for 1,063 performances; the show won Tonys for Best Musical, for Bob Fosse's choreography and for Carol Haney as Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Tickets for the five benefit performances range from $250 to $2,500. Please call (212)719-1300 or visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.

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