Lindsay Mendez, Jay Armstrong Johnson & Kyle Barisich Set for TriArts Sharon Playhouse Gala, 5/24

TriArts Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, is proud to announce Broadway's Lindsay Mendez (Wicked, Dogfight), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Encores! The Most Happy Fella, the NY Philharmonic's Sweeney Todd), and Kyle Barisich (The Phantom of the Opera) will headline 25th Anniversary Season Gala on Saturday May 24 on the TriArts Mainstage.

The evening begins at 5:30 with cocktails on the terrace, followed by a 6:30pm performance. The entertainment features material from the Broadway canon of yesterday - as well as exciting new theatre songs performed by three of Broadway's hottest performers. The evening is directed by John Simpkins with music direction by Joshua Zecher-Ross.

"Our 25th Anniversary has given us a chance to look back with great affection on the artists, audiences, and supporters who have contributed to the Sharon Playhouse over the years," said Artistic Director John Simpkins. "While we celebrate that heritage, we also look forward with great anticipation to the future. With a new energy, a terrific and supportive audience and Board of Directors, and a new management team, we are very excited to begin the next 25 years. We thought there was no better way to look to that future than to welcome three of Broadway's brightest stars to Sharon for an evening of songs and celebration."

There will be a post-show 'Grazing dinner' featuring small plates from various local restaurants including The Woodland, Boathouse, Hathaway Young, Pastorale, Salisbury Breads, Country Bistro, Serevan, Sweet William's Bakery, and When Pigs Fly. There will also be dancing to DJ Joe Kool.

Gala tickets are $125 (cocktails & performance) and $250 (cocktails, performance, dinner & dancing). For Gala tickets, please visit www.triarts.net or call (860) 364-SHOW (7469).

Spotlight Gala is chaired by Priscilla McCord.

TriArts 25th Anniversary Season includes the award-winning musicals LES MISERABLES (June 18-29), Falsettos (July 11-20), and Disney's The Little Mermaid (August 13-24) on the Mainstage. Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie (July 3-6) and the new musical Nine Wives (by Douglas J. Cohen and Dan Elish) will play July 24-27 Stage 2 in the Bok Gallery. The Youth Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening (August 1-3).