Nice People Theater Announces NICE PEOPLE IDOL Fundraiser

Nice People Theatre Company announces that they are hosting their own version of American Idol to raise funds for their upcoming 2009-2010 season. This will be the company's 3rd annual "Nice People Idol" fundraiser. The event will be held Friday, March 6, 7:00 p.m., at the Prince Music Theatre's Independence Foundation Blackbox, 1412 Chestnut Street. Tickets cost $20 and are available online at www.nicepeopletheatre.org.

The fundraiser begins with a cocktail hour sponsored by Tria Café (www.triacafe.com) and Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) at 7 p.m.. Nice People Idol follows the cocktail hour. During the competition, local singers will compete for the title, a $100 cash prize, and one of three two-person subscriptions to Nice People's 2009-2010 season. Guest judges include Wilma Theatre dramaturg Walter Bilderback, Azuka Theatre Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum, and City Paper Theatre Critic Mark Cofta. The contestants perform and the judges will offer ‘nice' constructive criticism, then the audience votes for the winner and two runners up.

During the event, Nice People Theatre Company will unveil the final contending plays and musicals for its 2009-2010 season. There will be a special performance by Conor Mitchell and playwright Matthew Hurt, creators of "Have a Nice Life," who are visiting Philadelphia to work on the first Nice People Theatre Company commission, the musical currently titled "Certain Old Clothes." Mitchell will take time out of his busy life as a composer on London's West End to be at the event.

The event will also feature a silent auction filled with fantastic items such as a one-week stay at a hotel in Nassau Bahamas, Steven Starr Restaurant Gift Certificates, Yoga class packages, 76ers club box tickets, and more. Food and wine for the event are donated from Tria and Whole Foods.

About Nice People Theatre Company: Nice People Theatre recognizes the importance of collaboration and that the process is equally as important as the final product. The company strives to work with "nice" people of diverse theatrical backgrounds. They are focused on intellectual, thought provoking, Philadelphia premieres that entertain, educate, and enrich the artistic fiber of the Philadelphia theatre community.