Broadway and Local Talent Join Forces for Riverdale YM-YWHA's CITY OF ANGELS Gala

Broadway luminaries and Riverdale's most talented performers will join forces for a Gala concert production of the multi-Tony Award-winning film noir musical comedy set in 1940s Hollywood, CITY OF ANGELS. The one-night only event will feature an onstage 20-piece orchestra, and will be performed at the Riverdale YM-YWHA on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 7:00.

The performance and honoree ceremony will be preceded by an open bar, dinner, auction, and entertainment from the award-winning teens for the Riverdale Rising Stars at 5pm, and a tribute to Gala Honoree Gerald Goldsmith at 6:45pm.

The honoree for this event is Gerald Goldsmith, Vice President of the Riverdale YM-YWHA Board of Directors, and a Board Member since 1972. In addition, Mr. Goldsmith produces the Jazz at the Riverdale Y program, which brings world-class musicians to the local Bronx community.

This one-night only Gala event will benefit programs at the Riverdale Y, including the Riverdale Rising Stars scholarship fund, which enabLes Children and teens to participate in the organization's theatrical productions.

CITY OF ANGELS is two musicals in one: the story of a novelist adapting his book into a Hollywood screenplay, and an onstage enactment of the film he is writing about his alter-ego, a private eye in the mold of Sam Spade. Art imitates life and vice versa as the full-color real world hilariously collides with the black-and-white "reel world."

CITY OF ANGELS features a sizzling jazz score by Cy Coleman (Sweet Charity, Little Me) with lyrics by David Zippel (Disney's Hercules and Mulan), and an ingeniously funny book by Larry Gelbart (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, TV'S "M*A*S*H" and the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Tootsie). The original 1989 New York production won six Tony Awards, including the trifecta of Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. CITY OF ANGELS played for 879 performances on Broadway, and starred Gregg Edelman, James Naughton and Randy Graff.

This concert production will be directed by Bob Walton (performer in the original Broadway production of City of Angels), and the onstage 20-piece orchestra will be conducted by Jeffrey Saver (Allegiance, Chicago, End of the Rainbow), and music direction is by Justin Fischer (Trip of Love).

This one-night-only concert event at the RiverdaleYM-YWHA stars Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre veterans including Laura Dadap (VOCA PEOPLE), Danielle DeVito, Jamey Hood (The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World), Ken Jennings (Urinetown, the original productions of Side Show and Sweeney Todd), Justin Keyes (How to Succeed, Spelling Bee), Jimmy Kieffer (Peter and the Starcatcher), Lauren Marcus (Be More Chill at Two River Theater), Kevin Pariseau (Legally Blonde), Aaron Ramey (The Visit, The Bridges of Madison County), Jim Stanek (Fun Home, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), Alex Walton (Bye Bye Birdie at Goodspeed), Emily Walton (Peter and the Starcatcher, August: Osage County), Riverdale YM-YWHA Director of Performing Arts Laurie Walton (Show Boat), and Harry Zittel (All-American, "As the World Turns").

The cast is rounded out by Riverdale Repertory Company members including Lily Bayrock, Jay Braver, Esther H. Cohen, Wylie Cohen, Arianne DeCerb, Patrick Dwyer, Timothy Mathis, Luz Montez, Hayden Nadine, David Newman, John Palacio, Marilyn Raider, Katie Rhoades, and BARBARA SALANT.

CITY OF ANGELS will be performed at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, located at 5625 Arlington Avenue (just off of Riverdale Avenue and West 256th Street), in Riverdale, Bronx, NY. Tax-deductible tickets to the show/open bar/dinner are $125. Sponsorship packages, include benefits like VIP seats, program ads, and acknowledgment in next season's programs, begin at $100. In addition, raffle tickets -- for items including tickets to the upcoming Bette Midler revival of Hello, Dolly and a 50/50 cash prize -- are available for $20 each (or 6 for $100). All the above may be purchased by may be purchased by visiting www.riverdaley.org/gala or by calling 718-548-8200.

Riverdale Rising Stars was created to provide the teens of the Riverdale community and beyond a professional repertory company experience. Since its inception in 2000, the organization has expanded its programming to include Rising Stars Jr., Riverdale Repertory Company, and the Riverdale Performing Arts Conservatory (RPAC), an educational program for adults and children. Of greatest importance is the way that all build self-esteem, learn enormous respect for others, develop camaraderie and create lifelong friendships. Together, these award-winning companies provide a world of expression, passion and creativity for all ages.

In addition to CITY OF ANGELS, the 2016-2017 theatre season at the Riverdale YM-YWHA also includes Into the Woods (teen performers: March 18-April 2, 2017); The Little Mermaid Jr. (child performers: May 18-28, 2017); and Disaster! The Musical (adult performers: June 21-28, 2017). For more information on all performing arts programs at the Y, visit www.RiverdaleRisingStars.com.

The mission of the Riverdale YM-YWHA is to be the hub that brings together members of the Jewish and wider community. At the Y, individuals and families of all backgrounds and abilities gather to grow, to learn, and to deepen their understanding of themselves and their connections to one another. Rooted in Jewish values, our cultural, social, educational, health and wellness programs offer members of all ages multiple pathways into the richness of our local community life. Through our programs and partnerships, we strive to improve the quality of life in the Riverdale community and celebrate its uniqueness and its diversity. Visit www.RiverdaleY.org for more information.