Grey, Crivello, Henshall, Etc. to Honor Kander & Ebb in May

Tony Award-winners Joel Grey and Anthony Crivello will join West End theatre star Ruthie Henshall in celebrating the work of John Kander and Fred Ebb, according to Whatsonstage.com.

"The Night of 1000 Voices," hosted by Myleene Klass ("I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!") and presented on Sunday, May 6th at London's Royal Albert Hall, with proceeds to benefit the National Autistic Society. 

Cast members of London's Avenue Q will also join Grey (Tony- and Oscar-winner for Cabaret, George M, Wicked), Crivello (Tony-winner for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular) and Henshall (Olivier Award-nominee for Chicago, Broadway's Putting it Together) in performing songs by Kander and Ebb.  Other stars who will participate in the evening include Terri Bibb (The Phantom of the Opera), Kenneth Nichols (Show Boat), and David Michael Johnson (We Will Rock You in Cologne).

"Since 1999, The Night of 1000 Voices has delighted capacity audiences at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2007, once again thrill to the sight of dazzling lighting and fireworks, and the sound of the huge Sing Live UK massed choir from around the British Isles, and The City of London Philharmonic who will accompany some very special stars in a musical night to remember. Along with the most voted-for favourites such as 'You'll Never Walk Alone' from Carousel, 'Superstar' from Jesus Christ Superstar and 'The Tonight Quintet' from West Side Story, in 2007 there will be a major tribute to the words and music of John Kander and Fred Ebb," state press materials.

The songwriting partnership of John Kander and Fred Ebb (who died on September 11th, 2004) marked one of the most successful and enduring collaborations in Broadway history. Together, they penned Flora, the Red Menace, Cabaret (their first major hit), The Happy Time, Zorba, 70, Girls, 70, Chicago, The Act, Woman of the Year, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Steel Pier, as well as The Visit (which was presented at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago but has yet to see Broadway). They also wrote the scores for films and TV specials such as New York, New York, Funny Lady and "Liza with a Z."

Kander and Ebb's Curtains, with book by Rupert Holmes, will open at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on March 22nd.

Since 1999 over £250,000 has been raised for The Caron Keating Foundation, The Alan Jay Lerner Fund for Cancer Research at the Royal Marsden Hospital, The Missing Person's Helpline, The Lord's Taverners and Variety Club Children's Charity.

Tickets for this year's event range from £17.50 to £60; there are a limited number of gala packages priced at £150.   Visit www.royalalberthall.com.  Visit www.TheNightof1000Voices.com for more information.

Photo - Joel Grey