Play Company's "Cabaret Gourmet" Benefit February 7

The Play Company proudly announces its 2005 winter benefit, Cabaret Gourmet, to be held on Monday, February 7th at Canal Room (285 West Broadway @ Canal Street). After a successful debut last year, Cabaret Gourmet returns as a celebration of the shared spirit of the culinary and theatre arts. Both offer delightful "food" for the soul…but dinner theater, this is not! The evening will feature samplings from New York City's top chefs and renowned restaurants, while favorites from the stage serve up tasty treats of their own. This year's event will include performances by Michael Cerveris, Sarita Choudhury, Peter Dinklage, Ana Gasteyer, Buck Henry, Anthony Mackie, Karen Ziemba and writers Colman Andrews (Saveur Magazine) and Calvin Trillin (The New Yorker) among others.

Act I – "First Course" warms up the crowd with dishes selected and prepared by top New York chefs, along with specialty cocktails and classic wines to complement the dishes. Mix, mingle, sample and enjoy!

Act II – "Main Dish" shines in the spotlight as 'cabaret meets gourmet' with food-inspired entertainment and show stopping performances – songs, skits, readings and on-stage cooking – from some of Broadway's brightest stars. A distinguished cast of actors, writers and chefs will serve up an eclectic array of acts.

The evening will feature silent and live auctions with exciting prizes such as prime seats to some of Broadway's hottest shows, travel packages, culinary treats and more.

Participating Restaurants include: AIX/Jehangir Mehta, BLT FISH/Nancy Olson, DJANGO/Cedric Tovar, FORNINO/Michael Ayoub, ONERA/Michael Psilakis, SAPA/Patricia Yeo, SPICE MARKET/Pichet Ong, THE PALM/Sergio Nigito

The Play Company, a not-for-profit theatre, brings an international view of contemporary playwriting to New York, developing and producing adventurous new plays by writers from around the world. Their work links American theatre with world theatre, American artists with the global community of artists, and American audiences with a whole world of plays. The Play Company was launched in 1999 and most recently presented the acclaimed production of world-renowned Indian playwright Vijay Tendulkar's Sakharam Binder, directed by Maria Mileaf (October, 2004).

Cabaret Gourmet will take place on Monday, February 7th from 7:00 – 9:30 PM at Canal Room (285 West Broadway @ Canal Street). Silent Auction throughout. Tickets are $200; and $2,5000 - $3,000 per VIP prime seating table (limited availability). For reservations call The Play Company at (212) 398-2977 or contact Special Events Manager Phillip Guttmann (pguttmann@playco.org).