Huntington Theatre Co Honors Kenny Leon and Bank of America 4/25

The Huntington Theatre Company will honor Broadway director Kenny Leon and Bank of America, the organization's Education and Access Partner, this Sunday, April 25, 2010 at its Spotlight Spectacular! annual gala benefit. Leon and Bank of America will receive The Wimberly Award, the Huntington's highest honor.

Leon's relationship with the Huntington dates back to 1993 and includes seven productions, most recently September 2009's acclaimed Fences and February/March 2010's record-breaking Stick Fly. He will open a Broadway production of August Wilson's Fences starring Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Tony Award winner Viola Davis on Monday, April 26. Bank of America's generous and longstanding investment in the Huntington supports the organization's nationally recognized, award-winning programs that reach more than 20,000 students and adults annually through unique education and accessibility programs.

Held at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Towers, the event raises money to support the programs of the Huntington, including its award-winning Youth, Education, and Community initiatives. It will feature entertainment by Broadway and television star Jasmine Guy, best known for her roles as Whitley on "The Cosby Show" spin-off "A Different World," as well as Velma Kelly in Chicago and Rizzo in Grease on Broadway, and music by three-time Boston Music Award-winning band Eye 2 Eye, named Boston's Best Band by the Improper Bostonian.

Chaired by Huntington Trustee Carol Deane and Huntington Overseer Bryan Rafanelli, Spotlight Spectacular! 2010 will feature an elegant cocktail reception, a silent auction filled with unique and exciting items, a seated dinner, live auction, entertainment, and dancing.

An online auction, now open at www.huntingtontheatre.org/auction, allows Huntington patrons and friends to bid on items prior to the event. Online and Silent auction items include Red Sox/Yankees tickets, a cocktail reception for 30 on the set of "America's Test Kitchen," the opportunity to serve as a Boston Celtics Ball Boy/Ball Girl, Beer for a Year from Samuel Adams Brewery, and much more. The "live" auction at the event will feature a VIP trip to the Tony Awards with private jet to New York, a "walk-on" role in an upcoming a feature film, a Red Sox Executive Suite for 22, and a private meal prepared by Chef Barbara Lynch in the winner's home. The gala will also offer the opportunity for guests to "Sponsor-a-Class" for the Huntington's Student Matinee Series.

The 2009 Spotlight Spectacular! raised more than $650,000 and sold out. A limited number of tables and tickets are still available to this year's event. Table prices range from $7,500 to $25,000; individual tickets are $500 and $1,500. For more information about the event, to sponsor a table, or to purchase tickets, contact Michelle Cicerano at 617 273-1536 or MCicerano@huntingtontheatre.bu.edu.

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