Austin Theatre Project's BENDING BROADWAY New Year's Eve Gala & Fundraiser Returns

Austin Theatre Project has announced its third annual New Year's Eve gala and fundraiser, featuring the gender-bending musical revue, Bending Broadway. With a cast of fourteen, the show is filled with Broadway favorites from Sweet Charity, Next to Normal, Into the Woods, Jekyll and Hyde, Book of Mormon, and many more!

In addition to a full, two-act show, the evening will also feature a complimentary appetizer buffet, silent auction, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast to ring in the New Year. "We are thrilled with the response we've seen over the years and with so many people telling us that it has been the most fun they've had on New Year's Eve, we definitely wanted to bring it back again," says David Blackburn, ATP's founding Artistic Director.

"We've stepped it up a bit this year as well." Blackburn continues. "There's more music, we're returning to the main stage of Center Stage Texas, we have a new host, and we've added a drummer to help out with the show."

The evening will be hosted by Michelle Cheney, the Austin cabaret and theatre legend who was recently seen in the role of Joanne in ATP's production of Company. "Michelle brings her mix of elegance, wit, and charm to our show and is a perfect fit," says Jim Lindsay, ATP Board President and director of this year's show.

Other performers gracing the stage are Matthew Burnett (Avenue Q), Kate Clark (Company, National Pastime), R Michael Clinkscales (Avenue Q), Matt Gauck (National Pastime, Baby), C. Taylor Henderson (Carrie: the Musical), Jeffrey Jones-Ragona (Bending Broadway 1 & 2), Chelsea Manaserri (Godspell), Brandon Myers (Company, National Pastime), Meghan Ollivant (Godspell), Suzanne Orzech (Company, National Pastime, Baby), Joseph Ruelle (Godspell), and Rebecca Smootz (Bending Broadway 1).

Bending Broadway is directed and staged by Jim Lindsay (Baby, Bending Broadway 1 & 2) with music direction by ATP's Artistic and Music Director, David Blackburn. Tickets for the evening are $60/couple ($35 for individual tickets) and are available at www.austintheatreproject.org. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Austin Theatre Project 2015 Capital Campaign Drive.