Lainie Kazan Headlines North Coast Rep's Spotlight Gala Tonight

The "Spotlight Gala" benefiting North Coast Repertory Theatre is scheduled for tonight, April 21st, at the Del Mar Country Club. The evening includes a cocktail reception, gourmet sitdown dinner and entertainment by multi-award winning singer and actor Lainie Kazan. During the course of her storied career, Kazan has received Tony, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominations.

Kazan first gained attention as Barbra Streisand's understudy in the Broadway production of "Funny Girl." She later received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the musical version of "My Favorite Year." A native New York, Kazan appeared in nightclubs and as a guest on virtually every top variety and talk show on television. While appearing at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, she was noticed by Francis Ford Coppola who offered her a movie role in "One from the Heart." The next year, Kazan was nominated for a Golden Globe Award as "Best Supporting Actress" in Richard Benjamin's "My Favorite Year" with Peter O'Toole. Her many other films include "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

Ms. Kazan has two films due for release in 2013, "Divorce Invitation" and "Finding Joy." She was nominated for an Emmy Award for "St. Elsewhere" and received a CableACE Award nomination for "The Paper Chase." She has guest starred on "Will & Grace," had recurring roles on "The Nanny", "Desperate Housewives" and played Arthur's romantic interest on "King of Queens." She has appeared on "Modern Family" and the Disney Channel series "Jessie."

As a recording artist, her CDs include her jazz collections, "Lainie Kazan-In The Groove" and "Body and Soul." She has recorded under the MGM label and was awarded Best New Artist award in 1968. Ms. Kazan is now teaching at UCLA and is starting a Cabaret program there as well.

For more in formation on Lainie Kazan visit:
www.lainiekazan.com.

Tickets are still available to the event and include the cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, Artists' Advocacy and much more. For tickets or information, call Kathryn Byrd at 858-481-2155, Ext. 211, or e-mail her at kathryn@northcoastrep.org. To purchase tickets click here now.

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