Wonka Ball 2009 Returns To About Face Theatre 5/7, Baim To Be Honored

About Face Theatre today announced Wonka Ball 2009, a celebration of past, present and future supporters of the Theatre. The popular annual soiree will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Salvage One, 1840 W. Hubbard Street. The main event begins at 7:00 p.m. with a VIP reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

"This year's event is special because it's an opportunity for us to say a heart- felt thank you to the thousands of people who have rallied to support us in the past and especially over the last few critical weeks," says Artistic Director, Bonnie Metzgar. "We are thrilled to raise a glass to those here in Chicago who have worked hard to make the Face the Future campaign a success as well as to honor Windy City Media.

This year, About Face will honor Tracy Baim and Windy City Media Group (WCMG) with the annual Leppen Leadership Award. Windy City Media Group is the largest chain of Chicago's LGBT online and print media, and this May marks publisher Tracy Baim's 25th anniversary as an out journalist. Windy City Times, Chicago's oldest gay newspaper, is among an elite group of the top gay newspapers in the U.S.

"About Face is honored to present Tracy Baim and Windy City Media Group the Leppen Award for their profound contribution to the City of Chicago," says Metzgar.

In February 2009, battling the ravages of the economic downturn that has threatened countless theaters nationally, About Face Theatre launched Face the Future, a highly successful fundraising campaign to stabilize the theatre. Leveraging both conventional outreach methods, online video appeals and social networking Web sites, About Face has quickly turned around its economic status, erasing all past debt and positioning the theater for a healthy and sustainable future.

"With the help of a new challenge grant from a local Chicago funder, About Face is closing in on its goal. We hope everyone will come out to support us at Wonka Ball and celebrate a new future at About Face," says Metzgar.

Featured Performers at the 2009 Wonka Ball include the cast and band of the hit new production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (produced by American Theater Company in association with About Face), drag sensation Dida Ritz and the New York nouveau-nerd band "The Gay Agenda."

More than 600 people are expected to attend this year's Wonka Ball, the celebrated annual event that was rated the Best Event in Chicago 2008 by Biz Bash, the national event magazine. Past Wonka Ball attendees have included Mayor Richard M. Daley and Mrs. Daley, Nate Berkus, Top Chef
Finalist Dale Levitski and Project Runway contestant Steven Rosengard. The hottest social event of the year will feature live entertainment, a silent auction and an open bar.

Wonka Ball 2009 is co-chaired by About Face Board members Dennis Remer and Mike Sullivan. Event VIP hosts, led by About Face Theatre co-founders Eric Rosen and Kyle Hall, include Jim Andrews, Nate Berkus, Peter Calibraro, Mike O'Brien, Charles Garrido, J. Mark Roberts, Ted Grady, Lauri Heisler, Criss Henderson, Rick Boynton, Chris Landgraff , Eileen Dordek, Robert Levine, Bryan Boomershine, Dwight A. McBride, Robert McCamant, Kevin McGirr, Bill Michel, Mark Botelho, Scott Reichelsdorf, Greg Rose, Heather Schmucker, Lisa Freeman, Kyle Spainhour, Mark Robertson, Noah Uldall and Denis Weil.

Event sponsors to date include Exclusive Corporate Sponsor Motorola, along with Center on Halsted, Entertaining Company, Dennis Remer at Frost Lighting, Hamburger Mary's, J & L Catering, Rockit Bar & Grill, Erik Roldan, Salvage One, the Scofield Company, Sidetrack, Sweet Mandy B's, Wolfgang Puck Catering.

To purchase tickets or for more information please visit www.aboutfacethreatre.com or call OvationTix at (866) 811-4111.