Tesori, Milburn, Vigoda, Teng Join TheatreWorks's Gala 40 Concert 5/8

In a night of rare performances by beloved Broadway celebrities, TheatreWorks presents a thrilling one night only Gala 40 Concert, celebrating the company's 40th anniversary. Broadway composers and hit-making recording stars are flocking to Mountain View to celebrate with the nationally acclaimed theater company in what promises to be an unforgettable evening, 8:30pm Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets ($125) and information, the public may call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Hosted by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, the concert features a stunning array of distinguished talent, including performances by acclaimed recording artist Vienna Teng, who developed a new musical in association with TheatreWorks' 2008 Writers' Retreat, and GrooveLily stars Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda, composers of TheatreWorks holiday hits Striking 12 and Long Story Short. The concert will also feature a special appearance by Tony-nominated composer Jeanine Tesori of Caroline or Change and Shrek the Musical, who will make a rare musical performance at the event, as well as songs from Emma and Daddy Long Legs, by Paul Gordon, who will also be in attendance. The entire evening will honor innovation in the arts by TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and innovation in technology by Frank Quattrone, CEO of Qatalyst Group.

The concert will additionally feature a lineup of TheatreWorks veterans and favorites including Noel Anthony (Merrily We Roll Along; Jane Eyre), Molly Bell (Bat Boy: The Musical; Memphis), Robert Brewer (Merrily We Roll Along; Into the Woods), Chris Critelli (Tinyard Hill), Lianne Marie Dobbs (Emma; Jane Eyre), Ryan Drummond (Caroline, or Change), Timothy Gulan (Emma), Julian Hornik (Caroline, or Change; Merrily We Roll Along), Michelle E. Jordan (It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues; Crowns), Sophie Oda (A Little Princess; The Joy Luck Club), Courtney Stokes (Snapshots; Into the Woods; A Little Princess), and C. Kelly Wright (A Civil War Christmas; Caroline, or Change)

The concert is preceded by a festive pre-show cocktail party at 7:30pm in the lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts. Patrons will have the opportunity to try TheatreWorks' signature cocktail, "The Encore," sign a note of congratulations to Robert Kelley, and purchase raffle tickets for exciting prizes ranging from concert tickets to see the legendary rock band Journey to dance lessons for two at Arthur Murray Dance Studios, before the concert begins at 8:30pm. Additionally, a post-show dessert reception will give patrons the chance to mix and mingle with performers in a delightful finish to an inspiring evening.

Funds raised at the event will support TheatreWorks' outstanding performances and innovative education, community, and new works programs. Gala 40 Co-Chairs are Michelle Kwatinetz (Atherton) and Ronni Watson (Menlo Park), working with committee members Anne Hambly (Los Altos), Gina Klein Jorasch (Palo Alto), Julie Kaufman (Atherton), Cynthia Keely (Portola Valley), Judy Kleinberg (Palo Alto), Gayla Lorthridge (Los Altos Hills), Leslie Murphy-Chutorian (of Palo Alto), and Carolyn Schutz (Redwood City).

With over 8,000 subscribers and 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatre-goers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast from across the country. TheatreWorks has just unveiled the line-up for its 41st season, which will begin in July 2010, and will include three more World Premieres, bringing the company's total to 56. Last fall, TheatreWorks celebrated the arrival on Broadway of the hit musical Memphis (developed at TheatreWorks New Works Festival and presented on its Main Stage). Memphis is now in its 7th month on Broadway, has played to more than 600,000 patrons and grossed more than $11.6 million to date. TheatreWorks recently concluded a held-over run of the World Premiere musical Daddy Long Legs, by John Caird and Paul Gordon, which has become one of the best attended shows in TheatreWorks history. TheatreWorks is currently honoring the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird with a production called "gripping," by the San Francisco Chronicle and "a sensitive revival of an American classic" by the San Jose Mercury News. Its present season will wrap-up in June with Opus, a comedic look at a string quartet forced to find a new player just days before a performance at the White House.

WHEN: Saturday, May 8, 2010
7:30pm Pre-Show Cocktail Hour
8:30pm Gala 40 Concert

WHERE: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
TICKETS: For concert tickets ($125) and information, call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Photo Credit: David Allen

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