Eartha Kitt Joins Star Cast for Westport's Kander Tribute

Eartha Kitt, Emmy Award winner, and Grammy and three-time Tony Award nominee, has joined previously announced award-winning talents Shuler Hensley, Debra Monk, James Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth, David Hyde Pierce, Ben Vereen and Karen Ziemba to honor John Kander, the Tony Award-winning composer of Chicago, Cabaret and Curtains, on Monday, September 24, at Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Connecticut.

Kitt has an enduring international career that spans theatre, cabaret, television and the recording industry.  She won the 2007 Emmy Award for her performance as the voice of Yzma in Disney's series The Emperor's New School; she had been nominated twice for a Grammy Award and three times for a Tony Award, one for the title role of Mrs. Patterson in 1955 (a part she later played at Westport Country Playhouse); Timbuktu! in 1978 and The Wild Party in 2000.  In 2003, Kitt appeared as Liliane Le Fleur in the revival of Nine, The Musical.

The annual benefit to support Westport Country Playhouse will honor the theatrical achievements of legendary songwriting team John Kander and the late Fred Ebb.  Honorary chairs of the fundraiser are Joanne Woodward, artistic director emeritus of Westport Country Playhouse, and Paul Newman.  Co-chairs are Kim and Niv Harizman of Westport, Barbara and John Streicker of New York, and Sharon Sullivan and Jeffrey Kindler of Westport, aided by a group of dedicated volunteers from Connecticut and New York.  

The celebratory evening will include a private, cocktail reception for benefactors with guest of honor John Kander and artists at 6PM, a star-studded musical performance in the Playhouse's Jason Robards Theatre at 7:30PM, and dinner with celebrity guests at 9PM.

Funds raised by the event will further artistic and educational programming at Westport Country Playhouse, now open year-round.  Benefit tickets are $2,000 and $1,000 for cocktail party, performance and dinner; $500 for cocktail party and performance only.  Corporate and individual sponsorships with seating for 10 are $25,000.  Reservations are limited by the intimate size of the theatre.  For more information or to request a benefit invitation, call 203-227-5137, ext. 138.  A schedule of year-round events at the Playhouse is available online at www.westportplayhouse.org.