I Love You Because Stars Romance Chatterbox, Feb. 23

I Love You Because stars Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Farah Alvin, Colin Hanlon and David A. Austin will join host Seth Rudetsky for the February 23rd edition of Seth's Broadway Chatterbox.

The weekly chat show, a Broadway institution for some years, features Broadway stars confiding stories to Rudetsky at Don't Tell Mama on Thursdays at 6 PM. The $10 donation benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization.

Very loosely based on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, I Love You Because is billed as a "a modern day musical love story," and concerns "Austin Bennet (Hanlon), a young greeting card writer whose life is turned upside down when he finds his long-term girlfriend Catherine in bed with another man. Forced back out into the treacherous New York dating scene, Austin meets Marcy Fitzwilliams (Alvin), a flighty photographer whose spontaneity is matched only by her ability to drive him insane. This new musical comedy explores the 'rules' and nuances of dating and learning how to love someone, not in spite of their differences, but because of them." 

The musical, with a book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham and music by Joshua Salzman, is currently playing Off-Broadway's Village Theatre (158 Bleecker St.). 

A man of many talents, Rudetsky has teamed up with The Actor's Fund as Artistic Producer, conductor and musical director on star-studded productions of Hair, Chess, Funny Girl and the Dreamgirls 20th Anniversary Concert, and most recently, On the Twentieth Century.  His hit show Rhapsody in Seth, was nominated for a GLAAD Award.  As a pit pianist and conductor, Rudetsky has leant his talents to over 15 Broadway shows, including 42nd Street, The Full Monty, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and The Producers. Rudetsky was part of the three-time Emmy-nominated comedy writing team for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and wrote the lyrics and opening numbers of the 1998 and 2000 Tony Awards shows.  He can be heard everyday as a deejay on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Seth's Broadway Chatterbox is now in it's sixth year and has raised over $25,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS through the admission price and sales of the show's DVDs.  Visit www.sethsbroadwaychatterbox.com to see the list available.  There is also a special DVD for sale which features more than 30 live performances including Idina Menzel singing "Life of the Party", and Betty Buckley singing "Memory".

In addition to the $10 donation, a two-drink minimum is required.

Don't Tell Mama is located in New York City on West 46th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. For reservations, call (212) 757-0788.