Civic's TONYS & TAPAS Returns 6/8

On Sunday, June 8, the same day as the nationally televised Tony Awards Ceremony, Civic Theatre of Allentown will present its 4th annual Tonys & Tapas Benefit to raise money for the theatre. Guests will enjoy vocal performances from recent productions, as well as appetizer samplings from some of the Valley's finest restaurants and caterers. There will also be a silent auction, open wine bar, and signature cocktails. The festivities will be held on Sunday, June 9, at 4 - 6:30 PM at Civic's Nineteenth Street Theatre.

Civic's Tonys and Tapas honors the theatre's link to the larger American Theatre community as that community celebrates its biggest night of the year -- the handing out of the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards for Excellence in Broadway Theatre. Civic's celebration not only includes a brief musical performance by the theatre's acting company, but highlights the culinary offerings of area restaurants and caterers -- who are providing small bites, or tapas, for the celebration's guests.

The catering for the event includes "Tapas" stations by Blue, Cactus Blue, The Cakesmith, Catering by Karen Hunter, Front Porch Family Farms, Kome, La Dolce Vita, Italian Bakery, Louie's, Maison Blanc Catering, Melt, My Grandmother's Table, Ringer's Roost, Shanty on 19th, Southern Delights and Sugar & Spice Pies.

The stations will be set up on the stage of the 19th Street Theatre, as well as in a special tented area at the theatre, giving each business to bask in the spotlight in a very theatrical setting.

"Civic Theatre is proud of the role it plays in the Lehigh Valley's cultural community. We are just capping off a great year of live performances on stage at our historic 19th Street Theatre, so it seems fitting to invite patrons and friends to join us for a mini-feast on that same stage -- and sample the culinary offerings of some of the regions' best restaurants and caterers," says Michael Traupman, Managing Director.

Tonys and Tapas Daddy Warbucks Level Sponsors are Grandview Systems, Lindsay and Jon Brachle, Lisa Lake Photo & Design, Scott Rothenberger's PLACE. Gypsy Rose Lee Level Sponsors are Miller, Searles, Bahr & Wills, LLC and the Dietrick Group, LLC. Auntie Mame Level Sponsors are Dr. and Mrs. Barry Glassman, Caruso Benefits Group and National Penn Bank.

Among the items up for auction this year include original artwork by Renzo Faggioli, Paul Harryn and Kip Frace; designer sunglasses for men, women and children; jewelry and designer watches; restaurant certificates and more.

Tickets cost: $75/single, $140/double, and $250/patron double, and are available at civictheatre.com, at the Nineteenth Street Theatre box office, or by calling (610) 433-8903.