Musical Theatre West Hosts Annual Broadway In The Park Fundraiser 8/8

Musical Theatre West's annual fundraiser Broadway in the Park will be held Saturday, August 8, 2009 in the Park Estates area of Long Beach, CA. MTW hopes to raise $125,000 to benefit programs including the Youth Education and Outreach Program, which reaches over 17,000 young people each year, introducing them to the magic and excitement of live theater through special daytime performances and visits to the classroom. Over the last eleven years, MTW has raised over $1 million dollars benefiting outreach programs to local youth.

Broadway in the Park, now in its 11th year, has become one of MTW's most popular fundraisers, with over 500 people attending last year's event. The event will feature previews of the 2009- 2010 57th season productions of Meet Me In St. Louis, Sweeney Todd, The Marvelous Wonderettes, 1776 and RENT. Besides this wonderful entertainment under the stars, the evening will also include dining, a silent auction of over 100 items, and a live auction with Randy Gordon, (Long Beach Chamber CEO) and Don Knabe (L.A. County Supervisor) as auctioneers. VIP tickets for Broadway in the Park, which include a private cocktail party, are available for $225. General admission tickets are available for $150. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Musical Theatre West box office at (562) 856-1999 x 4 or visiting the box office at 4350 E 7th Street in Long Beach.

Under the direction of Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman, Musical Theatre West has become Southern California's premier musical theatre company. One of the oldest and most respected theater production companies, Musical Theatre West continues to be one of the fastest-growing arts organizations in the Long Beach area. Originating in Whittier/La Mirada, Musical Theatre West is enjoying its 56th season and is currently celebrating eleven years in Long Beach. MTW has recently reached out to surrounding communities, performing at the Heritage Forum in Anaheim and the Curtis Theatre in Brea. Visit Musical Theatre West on Facebook and Twitter.

The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center is located at 6200 Atherton Street, Long Beach, on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. The theater is just west of Palo Verde Avenue.

For more information visit www.musical.org.