The 6 PM Westport fundraiser includes a silent auction, dinner and a musical performance by celebrated Broadway actors. In fact, the evening boasts a trio of Gypsy stars, including Tony Award winners Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters, as well as 2008 Tony winner Laura Benanti. Peters will honor Lansbury in a special tribute. Also set to entertain are Steven Pasquale (A Man of No Importance), Raúl Esparza (The Homecoming), Kerry Butler (Xanadu), Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins), Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid), Nedra McClyde (The Actors Rap), Julia Murney (Wicked), Q. Smith (Les Miserables) and Aurelia Williams (All Shook Up).
Footlights and Film: A Celebration of the Great Musicals from Stage and Screen is directed by Joe Calarco with musical direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell and choreography by Tim Federle.
The gala – chaired by Laurie Lister, Judd Burstein, Sharon Sullivan and Jeff Kindler – also honors Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright.
The silent auction features numerous backstage packages including visits with Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Lithgow, Laura Benanti, Raúl Esparza, John Tartaglia and Adam Reigler.
Funds raised by Footlights and Film benefit artistic and educational programming at the Westport Country Playhouse. For further information visit www.westportplayhouse.org.
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In its 78-season history, the Westport Country Playhouse — located in Westport, CT — has produced more than 700 plays, 35 of which have transferred to Broadway.
