Richard Kind, Karen Akers Host The Play Co's CABARET GOURMET '09 4/27

Off-Broadway's The Play Company brings together some of NYC's top chefs and theater artists for its sixth annual gala CABARET GOURMET 2009 -- a unique evening hosted by Broadway's Richard Kind (THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE and THE PRODUCERS) and featuring musical entertainment by cabaret legend Karen Akers (NINE and GRAND HOTEL), along with savory and sweet dishes prepared by chefs from several of the city's most celebrated restaurants -- on Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at the American Airlines Theatre Penthouse (227 West 42nd Street) in Manhattan.

CABARET GOURMET 2009 offers theatergoers and gourmet-food aficionados alike the opportunity to mingle in an intimate setting and taste epicurean dishes prepared by well-known chefs from around the city. Participating chefs include Chef David DeCarlo from Angus McIndoe, Chef Jehangir Mehta from Graffiti, Chef Nancy Olson from Gramercy Tavern, Chef Mickey Price from Market Table, Chef Josh Eden from Shorty's .32.

Honored guest Karen Akers, who received a Tony Award-nomination for her performance in NINE and was one of the original stars of the Tony Award-winning music GRAND HOTEL, is one of America's leading concert and cabaret stars, having appeared at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, New York' Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel and London's Pizza on the Park, as well as three performances at The White House. She starred in two PBS television specials, "Presenting Karen Akers" and Karen Akers: On Stage at Wolf Trap," and on film, most notably portrayed the femme fatale in Mike Nichols' "Heartburn," opposite Jack Nicholas and Meryl Streep.

Host Richard Kind has appeared on Broadway in THE PRODUCERS, THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and SLY FOX and the New York City Opera production of CANDIDE, and is best known for his roles on TV's "Spin City," "Mad About You," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." He recently starred opposite Michele Pawk in Jeffrey Sweet's FLYOVERS, and will be seen in the upcoming Coen Brothers movie "A Serious Man."

The evening also includes a silent auction and raffle offering jewelry from Lead Sponsor Verdura, tickets and backstage passes to Broadway's hottest shows, exclusive dining and spa packages, and much more.

Honorary chairs for CABARET GOURMET 2009 are David Hyde Pierce, Anna George and Gabriel Byrne, and gala chairs are Ruth and Stephen Hendel. The gala committee includes Buck Henry, Amy Larocca and Will Frears, Christine McNamara and Eric Case, Marianne and Steve Mills, Jonathan Marc Sherman and Alexandra Shiva. The Play Company's board of directors includes Michael Dweck, James V. Hart, Ruth Hendel, Lawrence Kaplen, Kate Loewald, Victoria Reese, George Sheanshang, Jeffrey A. Sine and Christian Yegen.

The Play Company's current project is the Off-Broadway premiere of Lloyd Suh's new play AMERICAN HWANGAP, a collaboration with Ma-Yi Theater, with Off-Broadway previews to begin May 9 at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan, and performances set to run through June 7. Trip Cullman directs an ensemble cast featuring James Saito, Michi Barall, Mia Katigbak , Peter Kim, and Hoon Lee.

The Play Company produces an international season of new plays, linking NYC audiences with a whole world of theatre. Recent productions include the U.S. premieres of Przemyslaw Wojcieszek's MADE IN POLAND (Poland); Robert Farquhar's BAD JAZZ (England); Vijay Tendulkar's SAKHARAM BINDER (India); Yoji Sakate's THE ATTIC (Japan); and The Presnyakov Brothers' TERRORISM (Russia); as well as world premieres of the American plays SMASHING by Brooke Berman and HIGH DIVE by Leslie Ayvazian. Play Co. received a 2007 Obie Award for its "unique contribution to the theatre community." The Play Company is under the guidance of Kate Loewald, Founding Producer, and Lauren Weigel, Managing Producer.

Tickets to CABARET GOURMET 2009 are $75-200; tables for 10 are $3,000-5,000. For reservations and information, contact Matt Morrow at 212-398-2977 or email mmorrow@playco.org. For updates on celebrity guests, featured chefs, auction items and more, please visit www.playco.org.

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