Tony Winner James Naughton is Master of Ceremonies at American Cancer Society's Starry Night Gala Tonight

Two-time Tony Award winning actor James Naughton will be the Master of Ceremonies at this year's Starry Night Gala - Celebrating 100 Years of the American Cancer Society.

Best-known for his magnetic work on the musical stage, Mr. Naughton began his Broadway career in the 1970's with his debut role in "I Love My Wife," followed by star turns in "A Long Day's Journey into Night," "City of Angels," for which he won a Tony in 1990, and a second tony for his role as "Billy Flynn" in the Broadway revival of "Chicago," in 1997. In addition to his work on the Broadway stage, Mr. Naughton is a director, frequent television actor, and has taken to the cabaret circuit where his simple, relaxed singing style has caught on, especially in his award-winning one-man show entitled "Street of Dreams."

At this year's Starry Night Gala, Mr. Naughton will preside over a room of 300 guests at the Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, New Jersey. The event will commence at 6:00 PM tonight, May 11^th, with an elegant cocktail reception followed by a world-class gourmet dinner and a live and silent auction. There will be live musical entertainment throughout the evening furnished by New Jersey's favorite Oldies Group, "The Cameos."

Mr. Naughton will also introduce this year's four honorees who come from the worlds of business and medicine. They are Peter Cocoziello, President and CEO of Advance Realty; John F. X. Graham, Chairman and CEO of Fairview Insurance Agency Associates, Inc.; Ellen M. Early, MD, and Steven W. Papish, MD, FACP with Regional Cancer Care Associates LLC - Morristown.

"As we mark our 100^th Anniversary this year, we also celebrate the thousands of birthdays we've helped make possible," said Nancy Marino, Director of Distinguished Events. "More than half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthy choices like not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active, and getting the correct screenings at the correct time. As we enter our second century, we want to help people fight cancer and fight getting cancer as well."

All proceeds from the Starry Night Gala go to support the American Cancer Society's mission of eliminating cancer as a major health concern. The event attracts close to 300 guests and has become one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year.

Tickets to the Starry Night Gala start at $500, and Chairperson Barbara Ann Sellinger is optimistic that corporations, sponsors and individuals will prove even more generous than last year. Sponsorship continues to grow, with current sponsors including: Atlantic Health System, Avis Budget Charitable Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and KDC Solar LLC. Adams Addressing Associates, Inc. of East Hanover, NJ is the printing sponsor, Regional Cancer Care Associates LLC is the entertainment underwriter, and Madison Jaguar is the automotive underwriter. New Jersey MonthlyMagazine and The Daily Record newspaper are the two media sponsors for the Starry Night Gala event.

To purchase tickets to the Starry Night Gala and view the live and silent auction items online, visit the Starry Night Gala website. For additional information contact: Nancy Marino, Director of Distinguished Events, American Cancer Society (973) 285-8039, nancy.marino@cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress, nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it, will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.