Drama League's 2014 Gala Online Auction, Featuring Dinner with Angela Lansbury, Launches Today

The Drama League's 2013 Gala Online Auction opens today, January 13 at www.biddingforgood.com/thedramaleague, featuring over fifty once-in-a-lifetime prize packages, including exclusive celebrity experiences with Dame Angela Lansbury, Emma Thompson, Michelle Williams, opera star Bryn Terfel, guitarist Slash of Guns 'N' Roses, Norm Lewis and Cherry Jones; Broadway opening night tickets and after-parties for Casa Valentina, Violet, and All The Way; backstage visits with Marin Mazzie at Bullets Over Broadway, Jefferson Mays at A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder, Fran Drescher at Cinderella, and with cast members at Rocky; luxury vacations to Morocco, London, Las Vegas, West Palm Beach, and Los Angeles; and over forty additional elegant items and elegant experiences.

Highlights include:

DINNER WITH Angela Lansbury
A private evening with a living legend of the theater! You and a guest will join the spectacular Dame Angela Lansbury for an unforgettable dining experience at the acclaimed Manhattan restaurant, Robert.

A DREAM WEEK IN MOROCCO
A Mediterranean adventure awaits in beautiful Morocco! After round-trip, first-class flights for you and a guest, enjoy eight days/seven nights in one of the world's great cities, Marrakech, beginning at the private Riad 41 and ending at the Royal Monsour Hotel (built by the King of Morocco himself!). While enjoying the sights and sounds, you'll enjoy a private chauffeur courtesy of Boutique Souk, lunch atRichard Branson's elegant Kasbah Tamadot, a deluxe shopping excursion and dinner with Vogue Italia Editor Alessandra Lippini, a class in Moroccan cuisine at La Maison Arabe, and much more. One of the most beautiful places on the planet, and an unforgettable trip of a lifetime!

A WEEK OF CULTURE AND LUXURY IN LONDON
First-class flights for two begin your extraordinary six-day, five-night excursion to London for the theater getaway of a lifetime! You'll stay in the heart of London at the five-star, award-winning boutique hotel Montague On The Gardens, only a few steps from West End theatres and the British Museum. While in town, you'll enjoy a private tour of the Royal Opera House with Ballet Star Philip Mosley(whose life story inspired Billy Elliot) and a private backstage tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Package also include dinner for two at the renowned restaurant Clos Maggiore near Covent Garden.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKEND AND SET VISIT TO ABC'S' "GREY'S ANATOMY"
Live like Hollywood insiders during this one-of-a-kind VIP weekend in L.A. You and a guest will enjoy business class round-trip flights to Los Angeles, where you'll luxuriate in a two-night stay at the plush Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire. You'll be treated like royalty during a private visit to the set of ABC's hit series "Grey's Anatomy" starring Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo. Separately, you'll enjoy a tour of SONY Pictures Studios. As the cherry on top, a "Grey's Anatomy" VIP swag bag will forever remind you of your unforgettable weekend!

BROADWAY OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCES AND CAST PARTIES
Rub shoulders with Broadway's elite with two tickets for the Opening Night Performances of All The Way starring Bryan Cranston, Violet starring Sutton Foster, and Harvey Fierstein's latest play, Casa Valentina. After each performance, you'll also have passes for the exclusive after-party with the cast and crew!

BACKSTAGE WITH Bryn Terfel AND Emma Thompson AT SWEENEY TODD
The stars of the eagerly-awaited New York Philharmonic concert of Sweeney Todd, opera star Bryn Terfel and Oscar winner Emma Thompson, will meet you backstage after you and a guest attend the sold-out performance at Lincoln Center with VIP premium seats. Backstage visits are also on tap for Bullets Over Broadway with star Marin Mazzie, Cabaret with Michelle Williams, and more!

LES PAUL GUITAR, AUTOGRAPHED BY SLASH OF GUNS 'N' ROSES
The rock fan in your life will be over the moon with this Epiphone Les Paul Guitar autographed by Slash, the seminal lead guitarist of Guns 'N' Roses. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, Slash is one of the most influential musicians working today. Other rock packages include signed guitars, jam sessions in studio, and guitar lessons from Mark Tremonti (Creed) and the legendaryLeslie West (Mountain).

Visit www.biddingforgood.com/thedramaleague to view additional items and place your bids.

The auction will conclude at The Drama League's 30th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway, which will honor Neil Patrick Harris onFebruary 3, 2014 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street).

The black-tie gala, featuring dozens of stars from Hollywood and Broadway in a one-night-only evening of musical selections drawn from Mr. Harris's career, will be hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. Performers scheduled to appear include James Barbour, Becky Ann Baker, Katie Finneran, Kate Jennings Grant, Cady Huffman, Eddie Korbich, Marc Kudisch, Aaron Lazar, Norm Lewis, John Cameron Mitchell, Constantine Maroulis, Donna Murphy, Lisa O'Hare, Kal Penn, Bryce Pinkham and Lauren Worsham, with special appearance by Project Runway's Tim Gunn, among others (subject to change).

The production is directed by Michael Mayer and Johanna McKeon with musical direction by David Evans and produced by Roger T. Danforth and Trevor Tamashiro.

The black-tie gala supports The Drama League's educational initiatives for promising young artists. Delta Airlines, the official airline of The Drama League, Financier Patisserie, Carmine Minardi NYC, and Starbright Floral Designs are 2014 Gala Sponsors of The Musical Celebration of Broadway Honoring Neil Patrick Harris.

The Musical Celebration of Broadway brings together 500 of New York City's most influential arts supporters, celebrities, and luminaries for a black-tie evening of cocktails, dinner, and the acclaimed, unforgettable musical revue featuring dozens of stars from film, television and theatre.

The Musical Celebration of Broadway Honoring Neil Patrick Harris raises much-needed funds for the vital education programs of The Drama League Directors Project. Since 1984, The Drama League has honored exceptional artists whose talent and passion have served as a benchmark for others, including Kristin Chenoweth, Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Chita Rivera, Rosie O'Donnell and Terrence McNally.

Ticket prices start at $750, which includes the cocktail reception, dinner, and all performances. For more information, please contact The Drama League at 212.244.9494 ext 27 or click on http://dramaleague.org.