Julie White & Tony Goldwyn Host BORN FOR BROADWAY Benefit Tonight, 5/21

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation previously announced that theater and film stars Julie White ("Transformers," "Little Dog Laughed") and Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost," ABC's new hit series "Scandal") would host the third annual Born for Broadway benefit, which takes place at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street, tonight, May 21, 2012 at 8 PM.

The news came as Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer declared today, May 21, 2012 as "Born For Broadway Day" in the Borough of Manhattan. Deputy Manhattan Borough President Rosemonde Pierre-Louis presents a proclamation to Executive Producer Sarah Galli. Tony nominated director Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime) directs; Lawrence Yurman (On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Grey Gardens) is Musical Director.

Tony winner James Naughton, Richard Kind ("Luck," "Mad About You," "Spin City"), "Glee" star Jenna Ushkowitz, Book of Mormon Tony winner Nikki M. James, Tony nominee Malcolm Gets, "NewsRadio" star Vicki Lewis, Tony nominee Orfeh, and Aaron Lazar are among the 30 Broadway and TV stars performing, all donating their time and talent.

The evening also features Adrian Bailey, Ali Stroker, Andy Karl, Ben Cook, Carmen Ruby Floyd Callaway, Carole Lasser, Chris Pinnella, Christiane Andreas, Christiane Noll, Drew Gehling, Emma Hunton, Graham Rowat, Jamie LaVerdiere, Jenny Powers, Jesse Ruben, Jim Brochu, Marianne Tatum, Richard B. Watson, Robert Petkoff, Ron Bohmer, and Steve Rosen.

Born for Broadway was created nine years ago as a student sponsored cabaret at Marymount Manhattan College, where Founder & Executive Producer Sarah Galli was enrolled as a performance major. Sarah created the show as a way to give back after her brother, Jeff, suffered a spinal cord injury in 1998 in a diving accident. He became a quadriplegic with a very similar injury to that of Christopher Reeve.

The evening benefits the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy.

Past hosts included Richard Kind and Kathie Lee Gifford with performers including James Naughton, Malcolm Gets, Lesley Gore, Douglas Sills, Kate Baldwin, and Jenna Ushkowitz.

Tickets are now for sale, ranging from $125 to $30. For ticket sales and further information, please visit www.bornforbroadway.com.

To learn more about the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, go to www.ChristopherReeve.org or call (800) 225-0292.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.