ONE STARRY NIGHT Benefit to Conquer ALS Comes to Pasadena Playhouse, 4/20

The ALS Association Golden West Chapter cordially invites you to a special performance dedicated to conquering ALS. Co-Producers Juliana Hansen, Melissa Verdugo, Jonathan White, and Patrick McMinn will present The 2015 Gala -- ONE STARRY NIGHT, a one-night only-benefit performance held on Monday, April 20, 2015, at the historic Pasadena Playhouse. The evening will also include a silent auction and VIP post-show meet-and-greet. Proceeds will provide critical funding for The ALS Association Golden West Chapter's mission priorities in care services, public policy, and cutting-edge global research toward treatments and cure for ALS.

For their 2015 Gala, the Golden West Chapter is pleased to partner with producers Juliana Hansen, Melissa Verdugo and Jonathan White. Hansen and White produced last year's inaugural ONE STARRY NIGHT performance, which played to a sell-out crowd at the legendary Pasadena Playhouse in January 2014. Grammy Award-nominee Bruce Kimmel returns to write and direct, with music direction and orchestrations once again provided by Richard Allen.

The evening will feature performances by (in alphabetical order) Micky Dolenz ("The Monkees"), Juliana Hansen (NBC's Grease, You're The One That I Want!), Jean Louisa Kelly (Mr. Holland's Opus), Richard Sherman (Academy Award-winning Songwriter: Disney's Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book), Reagan Pasternak (Disney Channel's "In A Heartbeat," CBC's "Being Erica"), and more to be announced!

"I am very pleased to once again open the doors of our beautiful theatre to our friends at The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, and to all who are dedicated to the fight to end ALS," said Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse. "I look forward to a wonderful evening of masterful entertainment to support this vital cause. The Playhouse is thrilled to welcome the artists and audiences who will lend their generosity to ONE STARRY NIGHT."

In a joint statement, co-producers Juliana Hansen, Melissa Verdugo, and Jonathan White offered these comments. "We are so delighted, proud and grateful to grow our wonderful partnership with The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. The 2nd ONE STARRY NIGHT will be bigger and better, with spectacular entertainment from celebrity artists to benefit a deeply important cause, which is very dear to our hearts. We know that supporters and audiences will have an unforgettable evening on April 20th at The Pasadena Playhouse, while generously providing crucial support in the fight to end ALS."

In addition to the performances, the Golden West Chapter will also be presenting several special honors to notable supporters of the ALS community. The Essey Awards are the Golden West Chapter's highest honor, named for one of the Greater Bay Area Chapter's founding members, Richard Essey. These awards are presented annually to esteemed members of the ALS community for their outstanding efforts in research, philanthropy and public awareness.

"The ALS community is grateful to all involved with this production for their creativity, dedication, and passion in the fight against ALS," said Fred Fisher, President and CEO of The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Ave, Pasadena, 91101. Tickets and Sponsorships: $75 per ticket - Balcony Seating; $150 per ticket - Rear Orchestra Seating; $200 per ticket - Orchestra Seating and Reception. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or tickets, visit our website or contact: Giovanna D'Angelo, Director of Special Events, at gdangelo@alsagoldenwest.org or (818) 865-8067.

About ALS - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease", is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. People with ALS lose the ability to walk, talk, speak, swallow and eventually to breathe, while their five senses and, in most cases, their minds continue to function normally. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from time of diagnosis. However, with recent advances in research and improved access to medical care, people with ALS are living longer, more productive lives.

The ALS Association and the Golden West Chapter - The mission of the ALS Association is to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig's Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support. The Golden West Chapter currently serves people with ALS and their families in 31 counties throughout California and the state of Hawaii. Proceeds from this event will provide critical funding for The Golden West Chapter's interdependent mission priorities in care services (which includes regional care management, support groups, loans of durable medical equipment and augmentative communication devices, community outreach and education, and multidisciplinary clinical care); global cutting-edge research for treatments and cures; and important state and federal public policy initiatives.

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