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Amas Musical Theatre Honors Leslie Uggams at Nov. 14 Gala Benefit

By: Nov. 11, 2005
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Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director of Amas Musical Theatre, will honor Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman and Tony-Award winner Leslie Uggams at their 3rd Annual Blast from the Past Gala Benefit on Monday, November 14th at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). The evening will also honor JP Morgan Chase and will feature an all-star concert presentation of Damn Yankees set in the Negro Leagues.

Damn Yankees will star Stephanie Pope Caffey as Lola, Darius de Haas as Young Joe Hardy with Alton F. White as the devilish Mr. Applegate), Ira Hawkins as the Coach, Ken Prymus as Older Joe, Vivian Reed as his wife Meg, Tina Fabrique as Sister and Deven May as Mr. Welch.   The concert presentation of Damn Yankees will be directed and choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj with music direction by Charles Creath.   The original production, which opened on Broadway in 1955 and played 1,019 performances, starred Gwen Verdon as Lola and Ray Walston as Mr. Applegate.   The musical has a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and lyrics by Adler and Ross.

 This year, Amas will present The "Rosie" Awards (named for founder Rosetta LeNoire) to Tony Award-winner Leslie Uggams and to The JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and will present The Ossie Davis Award for Inspirational Leadership to Brian Cashman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the New York Yankees.   Maurice Hines will present the awards to this year's honorees.  Leslie Uggams won the Tony Award for Hallelujah Baby! and was nominated for another Tony for her role in King Hedley II.  Her other Broadway credits include On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Girls, Jerry's Girls and Her First Roman.

The Amas Blast from the Past Benefit is an annual event held to raise funds in support of Amas Musical Theatre's ongoing theatre and arts education programs.

The Blast from the Past Gala Benefit evening begins at 7 PM, followed by a buffet dinner, auction and raffle at The Garage (99 Seventh Avenue South). Benefit ticket prices range from $125 (performance only) to $500 (cocktails, premium performance seats and buffet dinner). For tickets, call (212) 563-2565 or go to www.theatermania.com.

 
 




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