John W. Engeman Theater At Northport Announces Briefing on Goal to Raise 50k For AIDS Care 7/28

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport announced today that Kevin J. O'Neill, Executive Producer and Jon Cooper, Majority Leader, Suffolk County Legislature, will lead a press conference on Tuesday, July 28 at 11:00 am to discuss the theater's set goal to raise $50,000 for AIDS care on Long Island during the Long Island professional premiere of the award winning Broadway hit RENT this fall (September 10 - November 1, 2009).

The press conference, to be held in the theater's Green Room Lounge, will also include representatives from The Long Island Association for AIDS Care, Inc. (LIAAC), and Thursday's Child. Each organization, which provides exemplary AIDS care to Long Islanders, is a selected beneficiary of a theater fundraising effort through which a portion of tickets sold during the production of RENT will be donated.

"For Patti and Kevin O'Neill, giving back to their community is a tradition that runs in the family. After naming the newly renovated Northport Theater after Patti's brother, John W. Engeman, who gave his life for our country while serving in Iraq, they have chosen two important non-profit organizations to give back to now," said Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper. "LIAAC and Thursday's Child are very lucky to have been selected to benefit from the O'Neill's' generosity. I encourage everyone to visit the quaint village of Northport and come see RENT this fall at the John W. Engeman Theater. You'll not only have a true Broadway experience but will also help support two very worthwhile organizations."

"We are happy to help raise funds for organizations that do good works in our communities", says Kevin J. O'Neill, Executive Producer of the theater. "This fundraising campaign is part of an ongoing effort and we are proud to help those impacted by HIV/AIDS get the care they need."

RENT is the groundbreaking theater experience that transformed a generation of theater-goers and developed legions of devoted fans throughout the world. Set in New York City's gritty East Village, this revolutionary rock musical, written by Adelphi University alumnus Jonathan Larson, is an imaginative retelling of the classic Puccini opera LA BOHEMEbringing a universal message of hope for everyone. It is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Four Tony Awards, a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Six Drama Desk Awards, Three Obie Awards and a Drama League Award.

The Long Island Association for AIDS Care, Inc., (LIAAC) is a full-scale community-based HIV/AIDS organization providing direct client services, prevention education and HIV/Hepatitis C testing to all Long Island residents. "LIAAC is proud to be a recipient of Northport's John W. Engeman Theater's benefit for HIV/AIDS services on Long Island," says the President and CEO of LIAAC Dr. Gail Barouh, "The commitment of a local business working in partnership with Long Island charities is to be commended for community leadership.

The second beneficiary, Thursday's Child was founded in 1989 and was named to speak to the hope and promise of a better tomorrow during the darkest days of AIDS ravaging our community. The organization is committed to serving Long Islanders living with HIV/AIDS; programs include independent, supportive housing; emergency financial assistance for food, clothing, and warmth; and their Safety Net Project which supports families in need. Program Manager, Gregory L Noone says the John W. Engeman Theater's production of RENT "...truly contains the raw emotions we all felt 20 years ago; "please see RENT this autumn and support the essential, humane services provided by Thursday's Child to our neighbors in need who are living with HIV/AIDS across Long Island."

Tickets for RENT are on sale now and are $60. A portion of ticket sale proceeds will go to benefit LIAAC and Thursday's Child. Tickets may be purchased by calling (631) 261-2900, by visiting www.engemantheater.com , or at the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport NY. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted.
The John W. Engeman Theater is Long Island's only year round professional theater company, utilizing actors from the Broadway union - Actors' Equity Association. Shows are performed year round in the heart of Northport village amidst a scene of elegant restaurants and beautiful boutiques. The newly renovated Theater offers stadium-style seating, a full orchestra pit, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and a classic wood-paneled piano lounge with full bar.

Now playing is the Tony Award Winning Gershwin Musical CRAZY FOR YOU which plays from June 25 - August 16, 2009.

For more information contact the theater directly at 631-261-2900, visit the box office at 250 Main Street, Northport or visit www.EngemanTheater.com . For more information about LIAAC visit www.LIAAC.org , and for information about Thursday's Child visit www.THURSDAYSCHILDOFLI.org .

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