Playwrights' Arena Honors Theresa Chavez et al. at HOT NIGHT IN THE CITY, 5/8

Playwrights' Arena with Artistic Director Jon Lawrence Rivera, the only theatre dedicated to discovering, nurturing and producing original works written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with their annual fund-raiser presenting HOT NIGHT IN THE CITY: an evening of songs by local composers and lyricists on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the Los Angeles Theatre Center -- our home in historic downtown Los Angeles. The special performance, which benefits the programs of Playwrights' Arena, celebrates the works of Los Angeles' most adventurous resident composers and lyricists writing for the theater today and honors Theresa Chavez & Rose Portillo (Artistic Director and Associate Director of About Productions) and Velina Hasu Houston (Playwright) with the *lee Melville Award for their outstanding contribution to the Los Angeles theater community.

Composers and lyricists include Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Jason Robert Brown, ERIN KAMLER, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, plus many more.

HOT NIGHT IN THE CITY featured guest performers (scheduled to appear) are Joan Almedilla, JULIE GARNYE, Jennie Kwan, Leslie Margherita, Kevin Odekirk, Jennifer Paz, Corey Reynolds and many more.

HOT NIGHT IN THE CITY begins at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. VIP tickets are $100.00 (includes pre-show reception at 6:30 P.M. at The Gorbals across the street in the Alexandria Hotel with Honorees and Artists with reserved seating), Premium tickets are $50.00 and General admission tickets are $20.00 before April 30th. (After April 30, reserved VIP tickets will be $150.00, Premium tickets are $75.00 and General admission tickets will be $30.00 at the door). The Los Angeles Theatre Center is located at 514 South Spring Street (between 5th and 6th Street) in historic downtown Los Angeles. For reservations please call (866) 811-4111) or by credit card at www.thelatc.org.

*The lee Melville Award is named in honor of lee Melville for his over fifty years in show business.