Christine Ebersole Headlines The Women's Association of The New Jersey PAC's Spotlight Gala 10/3

Broadway, film and television star (and New Jersey resident) Christine Ebersole has been tapped to headline the Women's Association of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's annual Spotlight Gala, the largest and most eagerly anticipated nonprofit fundraising event in the State of New Jersey, to be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009.

Sure to be a highlight as NJPAC begins its 13th season of bringing the world's finest performers to the State, the black-tie evening begins with cocktails at 5:30pm, followed by an awards ceremony and Ms. Ebersole's performance, with dinner and dancing to follow. Ticket packages for the evening's festivities, including premium seating for ten people in PrudentiAl Hall, are available at the following levels: Vice-Chair Table ($50,000), Platinum Table ($35,000), Gold Table ($25,000), and Silver Table ($15,000). Single tickets for the evening begin at $1,000. For Gala package information, call Gail P. Stone, Managing Director, Women's Association of NJPAC at 973-297-5806 or e-mail gstone@njpac.org.

Since its inception, the Women's Association of NJPAC has raised nearly $30 million in support of general operations and Arts Education programs at NJPAC through its annual Spotlight Gala, annual Spring Luncheon and Auction and various other events.

This year's Gala Chair is Audrey Bartner of Verona. The Spotlight Gala Dinner Co-Chairs are Brendan Dougher, Managing Partner, NY Metro Area, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Susan N. Sobbott, President, American Express OPEN. As in past years, the Women's Association of NJPAC will present awards to individual, corporate and community leaders during the evening's ceremonies. This year's honorees include: Honorable Nina Mitchell Wells, Esq. and Theodore V. Wells, Jr., Esq. will receive The Ryan Award for their "Commitment to NJPAC and Leadership in the City of Newark;" Marc E. Berson will receive The Chambers Award for his "ServIce To the Community and to the Arts;" and, J. Chris Scalet, Executive Vice President, Global Services, and CIO, and Merck & Co., Inc. will receive The Vagelos Award for their "Corporate Commitment to the Arts."

Maplewood's Tony® Award-winning actress-singer, Christine Ebersole has enchanted audiences throughout her performing career, from the Broadway stage to television series and specials, film, concert and cabaret appearances and recordings.

Established in 1994, the Women's Association of NJPAC (WA) is a self-supporting, volunteer group comprised of diverse members actively engaged in regional and national business endeavors, politics, cultural, and social causes. As NJPAC ambassadors, the WA members seek to increase awareness and educate the public about NJPAC, and provide financial support to programs and educational activities through their Annual Spring Luncheon, Spotlight Gala in the Fall, and other events and membership activities.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in the heart of a newly emergent downtown Newark, New Jersey, is the sixth largest performing arts center in the United States. Home of the Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, NJPAC has been widely cited as a catalyst in the revitalization of New Jersey's largest city, attracted over 6 million visitors (including one million children) in its first twelve seasons of operations.

Funding has been made possible through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

NJPAC is a wheelchair accessible facility and provides assertive services such as TTY ticket purchase, designated seating, Sennheiser infrared listening devices and seat cushions.

Photo credit Walter McBride