TRU LOVE BENEFIT to Honor Davenport and Romoff 11/9

Theater Resources Unlimited, in association with sponsors Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Elysabeth Kleinhans, C2 - Caption Coalition, Sound Associates and the Players Theatre, announces the eighth annual TRU LOVE BENEFIT.  The event will honor producing maverick Ken Davenport and Arlene Romoff, advocate for open captioning for live theater, at a luncheon benefit on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Caroline’s on Broadway. The event, themed “Believe ... in the possibilities of theater,” begins with a cocktail hour reception at noon followed by a luncheon at 1pm, with entertainment and an awards ceremony to start at 1:45 and a Silent Auction throughout the afternoon.

In keeping with the theme, as well as the advocacy of honoree Romoff, the event will be completely handicap accessible, and will offer open captioning as well as Assisted Listening Devices for attendees with hearing loss. “Theater can portray a world of unlimited possibilities. It needs to be accessible for everyone,” stated TRU president Bob Ost.

Ken Davenport is the recipient of the 2008 TRU Spirit of Theater Award, which is given to someone in the theater community who is generous, supportive and inspiring. TRU honors Mr. Davenport for his dedication to and belief in the possibilities of off-Broadway and theater in general; his use of new producing models and innovative technology have breathed new life into the business of theater, not only for his own productions but for many others who have followed his lead. Previous honorees include the late Fredric Vogel, Woodie King Jr., Philip Rose and Cheryl Wiesenfeld.

TRU recognizes Arlene Romoff, president of the Hearing Loss Association of New Jersey, and author of “Hear Again - Back to Life with a Cochlear Implant,” with a Humanitarian Award for her work to bring open captioned performances to live theater, making theater accessible for people with hearing loss.

Entertainment will include excerpts from Davenport shows, including the cast of Altar Boyz in a special number cut from the show, accompanied by show composer Gary Adler; Nancy Anderson (A Class Act, Wonderful Town, Kiss Me Kate tour and London, Fanny Hill) in a song from the Broadway musical 13; The Awesome 80’s Prom cheerleaders; and Trazana Beverly (Tony Award-winner for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf) in a monologue from My First Time. New musicals developed by members of TRU’s Producer Mentoring program will also be represented: Kristy Cates (Wicked) in a song from the New York bound Rooms by Paul Scott Goodman, accompanied by the composer; Michael Dionissiou in a song from TRU Voices 2007 finalist Opa!; and Jill Paice (Curtains, Woman in White, Gone with the Wind) and Matthew Scott (Jersey Boys, A Catered Affair) in a number from the Broadway-bound Ace the Musical.

The Honorary Benefit Committee includes composer Gary Adler (Altar Boyz), director Stafford Arima (Altar Boyz); Brenda Battat, Executive Director of the Hearing Loss Association of America; producer/general manager Peter Breger; writer Kevin Del Aguila (Altar Boyz); producer Angelo DelRossi; choreographer Christopher Gattelli (Altar Boyz, South Pacific, 13); producer Robyn Goodman (Altar Boyz, Avenue Q, In the Heights); Dr. Laurie Hanin, Executive Director of the League for the Hard of Hearing; Beverley Mac Keen of New World Stages; John McEwen, Executive Director of NJ Theatre Alliance; Karen Ratner, President of the Hearing Loss Association of America/NY State Association; Catherine Russell of the Snapple Theatre Centre; and producer Tom Smedes (Ace the Musical, Naked Boys Singing).

Theater Resources Unlimited is a service organization that provides guidance, information and support to producers and theater companies, including self-producing artists.  Programs include Producer Mentorship, a weekend Boot Camp for aspiring producers, a new play and musicals reading series, an annual audition event, Actor Resource Nights and scholarships to the Commercial Theater Institute.

 The 2008 TRU Love Benefit will take place on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at noon at Caroline’s on Broadway, 1626 Broadway, NYC.  Tickets for the luncheon, performance and awards ceremony are $150 for “Circle of Angels” Patron Level tickets and $100 for unreserved general admission tickets.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.truonline.org/store.html.

Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, as well as generous support from the Friar’s National Foundation Association.

For more information about TRU, visit www.truonline.org or call 212-714-7628.

Photo of the cast of The Altar Boyz by Peter James Zielinski

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