In addition to the recently-announced October 16th concert of the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the Actors' Fund of America has announced additional one-night-only events
in New York and Los Angeles. The proceeds of all events support the
national human services programs of The Actors' Fund, serving
professionals in entertainment and performing arts who are in need,
crisis, or transition.
The
Fund will hold a series of benefit events in New York in more
intimate venues. The first is on Monday, June 19th, when actor,
playwright, novelist, screenwriter, director, and drag legend Charles
Busch takes to the boards at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street)
for a staged reading of
Die! Mommie! Die!, his homage-cum-parody to
big-screen soaps that was originally performed in Los Angeles.
Busch
also starred in the film version of the play and received a 2003
Sundance Film Festival award for best performance.
Die! Mommie! Die!
was also chosen to be the opening night selection at both the Miami and
San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film festivals. The June 19th benefit
will be the first, and only, New York performance of this cult classic.
Busch's actor/playwright credits include
Psycho Beach Party, Vampire
Lesbians of Sodom and
The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. He received a
2003 Drama Desk award for career achievement and a Best Play Tony
nomination for
The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. This one-night-only
event will be directed by his long-time collaborator
Carl Andress.
The
second in this series will be an "intimate evening" with one of
Broadway's leading ladies – to be announced – and the final event this
year will be a holiday celebration on Monday, December 4th. Much in the
spirit of a Stage Door Canteen, this performance/party will feature
live entertainment, food and dancing.
Previously announced were the Fund's Spring Galas. The
Actors' Fund New York Annual Gala is on May 8th at Cipriani 42nd
Street, and the annual Tony Awards® party in Los Angeles is on June
11th. The black tie New York gala, honoring Rocco Landesman, president
of Jujamcyn Theaters, begins with cocktails at 6 PM followed by dinner
and tribute performances. Special tributes will also be paid to Jed
Bernstein, President of the League of American Theatres &
Producers, and
Alan Eisenberg, Executive Director of Actors' Equity
Association. Bernstein is leaving the League after a decade to produce
and Eisenberg is retiring from Equity after 25 years of service. The
evening will feature special appearances and performances by Matthew
Broderick,
Kevin Kline and the stars of
Jersey Boys. For tickets and
information, please phone 212.786.6186 or email
AFAGala@cmevents.net.
On
June 11th, The Actors' Fund hosts their annual Tony Awards party at
the Skirball Center in Los Angeles, where
Liza Minnelli will be honored
with the 2006 Julie Harris Lifetime Achievement Award. The legendary Minnelli is one of the few artists who have won entertainment's top
four awards - the Academy Award, the Tony, the Emmy and the Grammy. The 10th annual awards bash, hosted by
Sam Harris, will feature a wine tasting, dinner, a silent auction
featuring Broadway memorabilia, collectibles and travel packages, and
the only live feed of the Tony Awards® broadcast from New York. To
purchase tickets to the event, please call 323.933.9266, ext. 54.
"Founded
in 1882, The Actors' Fund of America is the national human services
organization helping all entertainment and performing arts
professionals in television, film, music, theatre, opera and dance. The
Actors' Fund's broad spectrum of programs includes comprehensive social
and health services, supportive and affordable housing, career
counseling, and skilled nursing and assisted living care. Actors' Fund
programs address the essential needs of people in our industry.
Administered from offices in New York City, Los Angeles and
Chicago,
The Fund is a safety net, providing essential support for those in
need, crisis or transition," state press notes.
Specific event and ticket information for all benefit events can be found at
www.actorsfund.org or by calling 212.221.7300 ext. 133 (New York) or 323.933.9266 ext. 54 (Los Angeles).
