Mauer, Southard Headline Webber Benefit Evening 4/18 In NJ

Two longtime veterans of Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera will be headlining a star-studded Benefit Evening, MASQUERADE: Andrew Lloyd Webber'S GREATEST HITS, on Saturday, April 18, at the Bickford Theatre, 6 Normandy Heights Road, in Morristown, NJ.

Among the many artists scheduled to appear are Gary Mauer (The Phantom, The Phantom of the Opera), and Elizabeth Southard (Christine, The Phantom of the Opera).

Also starring are Julie Waldman-Stiel (The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, National Tour), Carbonell Award-nominee Rachel Cohen (Evita, Cats National Tour), Mark Montague (Show Boat with Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli and Gay Willis), Jennifer Montague, Christopher A. Budinich, and Jodi Chekofsky.

This fundraiser for the Bickford Theatre Guild directly benefits audio and visual assisted performances and scholarships for underprivileged at the theatre's performing arts school.

"MASQUERADE" features the best-loved songs from the mega hits composed by the Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer, including Broadway show-stoppers from Cats, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Song & Dance, Starlight Express, Aspects of Love, Whistle Down the Wind, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Audiences can expect to hear such classics as "Memory," "Music of the Night," "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina," "I Don't Know How To Love Him," "As If We Never Said Goodbye," "Love Changes Everything," and many more!

Universally hailed as the greatest Phantom ever, Gary Mauer recently starred as the Phantom in the Hal Prince touring production of The Phantom of the Opera. Previously, he starred in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, performing the romantic leading role of Raoul over 1500 times (more than any other performer in the history of the show) and covering The Phantom. In addition, Mr. Mauer performed in the Broadway production of Les Miserables in the role of Enjolras, the revolutionary leader, a role he also performed with the National Tour in the US and Singapore.

In addition, he performed the leading role of Gaylord Ravenal in the National Tour of Show Boat, opposite his wife, Elizabeth Southard. Mr. Mauer was also a featured soloist in the world tour of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Michael Crawford, bringing him to Japan, Australia, England, Scotland and culminating back in the US, where he performed for two weeks at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Regionally, his numerous credits include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance, Anthony in Sweeney Todd, Tony in West Side Story, Whizzer in March of the Falsettos and Danny in Baby. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Mr. Mauer has performed with symphony orchestras all over the world. In October, 2006, Mr. Mauer performed with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. He is the tenor soloist in the popular BRAVO Broadway!

Elizabeth Southard has worked extensively in musical theatre, on Broadway and in National Tours. Recently, Beth starred on Broadway as Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, a role she also performed in the Vancouver, B.C. production. She was chosen by Harold Prince to star as Magnolia in his latest revival of Show Boat in the First National Tour. She was also seen Off-Broadway in Jack Eric William's Swamp Gas and Shallow Feelings as Sherlyn.

Other tours include Christine in the Yeston/Kopit Phantom and The Sound of Music with Marie Osmond. Regional highlights include Yum-Yum in The Mikado and Claudia in Nine. She has been fortunate enough to perform with various orchestras throughout the U.S. Beth received her degree in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College School of Music. She received a scholarship to study at the prestigious American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria and went on to receive first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. Beth is joyously married to actor Gary Mauer and plays Mommy to Nicholas and Eden.

Tickets are just $125 and include a cocktail reception with delectable hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., the performance at 8 p.m., and a "Mingle-With-The Stars-Celebration" featuring elegant desserts following the show. Patron Packages are also available ranging from $500 to $2500 and above. All Patron Packages include Priority Seating, program listing, and an autographed CD. Please call the Bickford Box Office at 973.971.3706 for tickets.

About The Bickford
The Bickford Theatre (Eric Hafen, Artistic Director) is a professional theatre that produces and presents year-round entertainment, including a Main Stage Series, two Children's Theatre series, and a Jazz Showcase. The theatre is a Senior Member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization of 30 professional theatres throughout the state, and works in conjunction with Actors' Equity Association and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. From its beginnings in 1994 to the present, thousands of theater-goers from across the tri-state area have enjoyed the Bickford Theatre's many entertaining and diversified offerings in theatre, music and dance.

The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located at 6 Normandy Heights Road, in Morristown, New Jersey, within the Morris Museum, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-up hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For further information, please visit the Bickford Theatre at www.bickfordtheatre.org.

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