About Face Theatre Prepares to Blast Off at WONKA BALL: FORBIDDEN PLANET

Get ready to blast off! About Face Theatre invites guests to the final frontier - space - for an out of this world evening at WONKA BALL: FORBIDDEN PLANET. The company's annual gala will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 at 8 pm (VIP Cocktail Reception at 7 pm) at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or by calling (773) 784-8565.

At WONKA BALL: FORBIDDEN PLANET, guests are invited to strap on their moon boots and asteroid belts and join AFT on the launch pad to enjoy celestial food and cosmic cocktails - and celebrate with a supernova of live entertainment, music and dancing. Plus, the stellar silent and live auctions for which Wonka Ball has become known are guaranteed to send you into orbit. Prepare for a close encounter and some serious stargayzing, and join Chicago's celebrated lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and allied (LGBTQIA) theatre as it celebrates its 21st season on this unforgettable evening.

Put it into hyperdrive and get lost in space with About Face for an exclusive reception beginning at 7 pm, where guests and gayliens alike will enjoy early access to the venue and silent auction, free raffle tickets, signature cocktails, culinary treats, and live entertainment courtesy of DJ Circuit Mom. The reception will be hosted by members of AFT's Board of Directors and the evening's Co-Chairs, Susan Blake & Pat Ewert and Anthony Priore.

WONKA BALL also features the presentation of the annual Leppen Leadership Awards. The 2017 recipients include Latinx LGBTQ Organizer Emmanuel García and Equality Illinois. Named for About Face Youth Theatre supporter Michael Leppen, the annual awards recognize one individual and one organization whose efforts have made an enormous impact within Chicago's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and allied (LGBTQIA) communities.

Additionally, Sandy Nguyen will be honored with the About Face Youth Theatre MVP Award, presented annually to an outstanding youth theatre ensemble member for exceptional service to the company and to the greater LGBTQIA community.

Proceeds from WONKA BALL: FORBIDDEN PLANET will support About Face Theatre's award-winning mainstage programming and nationally-recognized youth education and outreach program. Since 1995, About Face has created exceptional, innovative, and adventurous theatre and educational programming that advances the national dialogue on sexual and gender identity while challenging and entertaining audiences in Chicago and beyond. Support from Wonka Ball enables About Face to thrive as Chicago's celebrated center for LGBTQIA theatre.