Laura Benanti Set for TUTS' 2014 Broadway Empire Gala, 4/26

Save the date as Theatre Under The Stars will host its 2014 "Broadway Empire" Gala on Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Enter the era of bootleggers, flappers and gangsters as TUTS transforms the Hobby Center into a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Sensational musical entertainment, fine dining, dancing, and an auction will make this an evening like no other!

Headlining the evening's entertainment is Broadway phenomenon and Tony Award-winning musical theatre actress Laura Benanti. She'll perform a selection of songs from her show In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention as well as share her experiences growing up in musical theatre. A seasoned performer, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical in 2008's Gypsy playing opposite Patti LuPone and has been nominated for a Tony Award three additional times. Benanti made news most recently for her appearance as Elsa Schraeder in NBC's "The Sound Of Music Live!" in December 2013. She lists "Nurse Jackie" and "Law and Order: SVU" among her other TV credits.

Adding more excitement to the night, the evening's auction will boast several enticing prizes. One lucky winner will walk away with a Paris culinary experience, which includes a 5-night stay at the Four Star Hotel D'Aubusson, a gastronomic adventure for two at the internationally recognized Le Cordon Bleu, a trip in the Champagne region including historical attraction sites and tastings at Moet and Chandon, and airfare for two on United Airlines. Two other individuals will win walk-on roles in TUTS' 2014-2015 season opener Victor/Victoria. If those prizes weren't enough, guests will also be treated to a select number of grab bags featuring items from Elaine Turner.

A trio of men will serve as the Broadway Empire Gala chairs: Steve Burkett, Doug Dawson and Greg Harper. Burkett serves as Executive Vice President in Jones Lang LaSalle's tenant representation group. He is a former chairman of the TUTS Board. Dawson owns Dawson Financial Services and serves on the TUTS Board. Harper is the Executive Vice President at Enbridge and is the current chairman of the TUTS Board.

To purchase tickets or tables to this black tie event, guests may contact Ashly Alberto at 713-558-2656 or Ashly@TUTS.com. Guests may also visit www.TUTS.com/Gala to purchase tickets directly. Tickets start at $1,000 and tables start at $7,500.

Need more Houston Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...