ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE Star Jacqueline Petroccia to Headline STAGES' 2013 Gala, 11/15

On Friday, November 15, 2013 STAGES ST. LOUIS will welcome distinguished guests from the St. Louis Region during its twelfth annual APPLAUSE! Gala at the Ritz-Carlton. A benefit to support the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. The 2012 APPLAUSE! Gala raised proceeds of over $325,000, 8% of its $3.9 million budget. The event will be hosted by STAGES' own Kari Ely and David Schmittou. Lynne Turley and Lisa Nichols serve as event Co-Chairs. The headlining entertainment will be provided by Jacqueline Petroccia, the star of STAGES' recent hit production Always... Patsy Cline. The live band from the show, led by STAGES Music Supervisor Lisa Campbell-Albert, will accompany Petroccia as she sings some Patsy Cline standards as well as selections from the American Songbook. The evening will also feature the teen a cappella sensation TeamSTAGES with a special performance by Triple Threats, STAGES Performing Arts Academy's Advanced Musical Theatre Performing Group.

In 2013, STAGES Performing Arts Academy programs brought Musical Theatre arts education to over 3,200 students, awarded 800 Scout badges, engaged 1,000 parents/guardians and their children in interactive dramatic play via Stories@STAGES, and entertained thousands of audience members at TeamSTAGES performances. Our regionally unique Access the Arts program continues to bring the beauty of Musical Theatre to youth with developmental and physical disabilities. Since its inception, the Urban Arts Initiative has conducted more than 160 programs for 3,000 underserved students. By ensuring access to a rich performing arts education, the next generation is transformed and our community enriched. Sponsorship monies raised tonight will help to support all of these wonderful and vital programs, as well as our artistic endeavors.

The 2013 APPLAUSE! Gala will be attended by nearly 500 guests representing the region's top corporations and organizations. The magical evening will also include Silent and Live Auctions featuring exclusive experiences, specialty handmade items, high end wines, fine jewelry, and more. Single tickets to the black tie event are $300.00 per person and sponsorships begin at $3,000. For more information contact STAGES Development Department at 636.449.5776.

STAGES ST. LOUIS is the region's foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education. In 2014, STAGES celebrates its 28th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, presenting 124 performances from May through October to nearly 50,000 patrons.

STAGES opened in 1987 with a budget of $50,000 and a part-time seasonal staff of eight. Today, the company employs a full-time staff of more than 30 overseeing a budget of nearly $4 million. During the performance season, an additional 150 actors and crew members bring the productions to life. To date, STAGES professionals have produced 94 musicals, with over 2,900 performances, playing to over 900,000 patrons. In 2005, STAGES added its annual Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) production to encourage multiple generations to attend professional, live musical theatre together on family-friendly schedules. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org.