Bradley Dean, Luann Aronson et al. Set for 'Gateway to the Future' Benefit, 7/23

Broadway veterans Luann Aronson, Dan Cooney, Bradley Dean and Kingsley Leggs will headline the first annual "Gateway to the Future" benefit for the Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County on July 23 at 6pm at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport.

Aronson, Cooney, Dean and Leggs, all Gateway alumni, have combined to hold principle roles in numerous Broadway productions including "The Color Purple," "Les Misérables," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Monty Python's Spamalot," and "9 to 5." Leggs can currently be seen as Curtis in Broadway's "Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy," which was nominated for five 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Cooney is scheduled to be a part of the upcoming Broadway adaptation of "Bonnie and Clyde."

"These performers each jumped at the chance to come back to Gateway and make a difference," said Paul Allan, President of the PACSC and producer of The Gateway. "Our posters for the evening say ‘Let's Get This Party Started' and the presence of these incredible talents will allow us to truly kick off our new non-profit status in style."

The program will also include a retrospective of the theatre, a presentation from The Gateway's student production of "The Who's Tommy" which will play July 20-30, swing music performed by a live orchestra and live and silent auctions.

"Dozens of Long Island businesses have made generous contributions to our auctions," Allan said. "This, coupled with our volunteer committee, allows our event to truly be a community celebration."

"Gateway to the Future" is the first major fundraiser for the PACSC. Proceeds will benefit the PACSC's production wing, known as The Gateway, and the Gateway Acting School, now in its 18th year of operation. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (631)-286-7027, with tables of ten available for corporate, bank and personal sponsorship. Seating is limited. Admission includes dinner, cocktails and a voucher that can be redeemed for admission to "Monty Python's Spamalot," playing from July 13-30 at The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts. For additional information, visit www.gatewayplayhouse.org.

The Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County seeks to provide theatre of the highest caliber to audiences within the Long Island region and beyond. It continues the tradition established by the Gateway Playhouse over its past 62 years of service and remains Long Island's oldest professional theatre.