Origin Theatre Company kicks off its thirteenth season of producing the New York premieres of plays by contemporary European playwrights at its annual benefit on Thursday June 18, at 6:30pm. Hosted by Mutual of America, 320 Park Avenue, the evening features a smorgasbord of international pleasures, including rollicking musical entertainment, and appearances by a colorful cross-section of local and visiting theatre luminaries, business leaders and supporters of the arts.
The evening honors New York business leader Ronan Downs, who helped transform the Financial District's historic Stone Street (New York's oldest paved thoroughfare) into one of the city's most distinctive food and entertainment destinations. Among Downs' meticulously crafted bars and restaurants are Route 66 Smokehouse, the Bavaria Bierhaus, The Dubliner and Beckett's Bar and Grill. A trio of Broadway stars will make special musical appearances throughout the evening: Matt Doyle (Elder Price in "Book of Mormon," original cast of "War Horse"), Christine Dwyer (Elphaba in "Wicked"), and Kevin Santos ("In the Heights"). Participating in the celebrity auction are Downton Abbey's beloved Mrs. Patmore Lesley Nicol; author Malachy McCourt; Irish International rugby star Gordon D'arcy and Irish middleweight boxing champion Andy Lee, among others. "What a joy it is to recognize a business man and restaurateur like Ronan Downs who focuses on his customers' experience, who values craftsmanship, who cares about pleasure and beauty," says Origin artistic director George C. Heslin. "We care about the same things in the theatre so this honor is deeply resonant to our entire Origin community!"Videos