Bill Russell and Tim Gunn to Host Special Benefit Performance of 'Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens'

A New York revival of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens will be presented by Sweet &Tart Productions in association with Summoners Ensemble Theatre at the Laurie Beechman Theater on October 10, 11, 17, and 19. In keeping with the company's mission of giving back to the community, 25 percent of all proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Performance times are 7 p.m. on October 10 and 17; 3 p.m. on October 11.. The Laurie Beecham Theater is located at 407 West 42nd St at 9th Avenue. Tickets are $25.00 plus a 2 drink minimum. For tickets, call 212-695-6909 or visit www.sweetandtart.org.

"I am delighted that (director) Brad Caswell is putting together the first New York production of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens in several years," said Elegies... author Bill Russell. "Unfortunately, AIDS is still very much with us and hopefully his company of generous performers will help remind people of that."

Bill Russell and television personality Tim Gunn are scheduled to host a special benefit performance of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens on Sunday, October 19 at 6 pm with proceeds also benefiting Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. The evening will feature a sumptuous dinner and bar provided by the West Bank Cafe and a live and silent auction of a variety of unique items from various New York merchants and businesses including jewelry, clothing, gift certificates, and handbags. Tickets are $125 for this special one night only performance. Call 212-695-6909 for reservations.

Elegies..., with book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Janet Hood, was inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and Edgar Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology. Originally titled The Quilt in the late 1980s, this "song-cycle" has been seen in New York City in 1989, 1990 and 2001 featuring a cast which included Mario Cantone, Christopher Durang, Brian d'Arcy James, Norm Lewis, Joe Piscopo, Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner. A production of Elegies... played London's West End in 1993.

Featuring a cast of over 40 New York actors, singers and dancers, this new production of Elegies... is directed by Brad Caswell with musical direction by Julie McBride and choreography by Venita McLemore. For more information visit www.sweetandtart.org; for reservations, call 212-695-6909.

The cast will include: Michael Beatty, Ken Bolander, Jane Brockman, Brad Caswell, Charlie Coniglio, Carla Davenport, Phillip Deyesso, Rhonda Dodd, Jill Edwards, Morgan Foxworth, Scott Fried, Amy Garson, TraCy Grant, Jarrod Hicks, John Kevin Jones, Mike Lesser, Gary Lizardo, Michael Lundy, India McDonald, Venita McLemore, Jimmy Moon, Terry Olear, Miles Phillips, Rebecka Ray, Dan Renkin, Beatrice Rigaud, Troy Valjean Rucker, Tiffany Smetak, Joey Stocks, Sandra Trullinger, Nikki Van Cassele, Alyssa Van Gorder, Nefeli Vasiliadou, Ricardo Valdez, Kimberly Vaughn, Joshua Warr, Miranda Wilkins, DaRon Williams and Kit Williams.