OpenStage Raises the Stakes with 'Casino Royale' Fundraiser, 3/26

Make sure you have a British accent in your head before you read the next paragraph. Got it? Now, proceed. 

Theatre. OpenStage Theatre.

OpenStage Theatre and Company's fundraising event scheduled for March 26 is sure to shake things up. Based on "Casino Royale," a James Bond thriller so popular it was made into a movie twice, the event will feature high stakes gaming, signature martinis, an optional Bond-themed costume contest, a silent auction and prizes.

"This is going to be so much fun. I'm dressing as M," said Denise Burson Freestone, Artistic Director and co-founder of OpenStage. "Restaurants in town have created Bond-themEd Martinis for us. We're printing the recipes on playing cards. You get one card every time you order a martini, but you can buy the playing cards just on their own. The best poker hand at the end of the evening wins a prize."

The signature martinis have names like "Live and Let Chai" for a chai tea-infused drink. A Tuaca and orange juice concoction is called "Goldeneye" and "Vesper" is the moniker for a gin and vodka blend. Other signature martinis are "You Only Pom Twice" and "Lemons are Forever."

The evening's gaming activities include Craps, Roullette, Texas Hold ‘Em and Black Jack.

Prizes will be given for the aforementionEd Martini poker hand, as well as for the evening's gaming chip leader and for best Bond-themed costume.

Silent auction items include a Schwinn Sport50 scooter donated by Unique Rides, a private midnight screening of your favorite Bond movie at the Lyric Cinema Café, marksmanship lessons from Front Range Gun Club, combat lessons from Karate West and a martini set from The Cupboard, among many others.

"Casino Royale" will be held at the Sunset Events Center, 242 Linden St. in Fort Collins, Colo. on Friday, March 26 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.openstage.com or (970) 484-5237 for $50, which includes $1,000 in play money gaming chips.

For more information, call OpenStage Theatre & Company at 970-484-5237.