Cady Huffman Headlines Half Moon Theatre's 2014 Gala Tonight

The Culinary Institute of America and Half Moon Theatre, the Hudson Valley's leading year-round professional theatre company, are excited to announce a partnership that will bring New York-style theatrical performances to the Hyde Park campus of the world's premier culinary college. The CIA's new 800-seat, state-of-the-art Ecolab Auditorium in the Marriott Pavilion makes it possible for visitors to experience one of Half Moon Theatre's productions after enjoying a meal at The Bocuse, American Bounty, or Caterina de' Medici restaurants on the CIA campus.

The CIA will offer a special pre-show, three-course, prix fixe menu prior to select performances, for $39 per person. As many of the productions will feature food themes, the CIA's chefs will create unique menus for specific performances, giving diners a special experience of the arts.

Now entering its eighth season, Half Moon Theatre (HMT) is a Hudson Valley-based company of local actors, directors, playwrights, designers, and producers, who have also worked extensively in New York, Los Angeles, and at regional theaters around the country. HMT has produced world premiere plays, recent Broadway hits, an original children's opera, and an annual 10-Minute Play Festival.

"We are excited to welcome Half Moon to the CIA's campus," says Dr. Tim Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of America. "Now the community, our staff, and students can enjoy world-class dining and theater together, right in the Hudson Valley, in our spectacular new Marriott Pavilion."

"Half Moon Theatre is thrilled to be partnering with an esteemed institution like The Culinary Institute of America to combine the arts of gastronomy and theater into a unique cultural experience," says Molly Renfroe Katz, Executive Director of HMT. "We are honored to be invited by Dr. Ryan to fill the beautiful Marriott Pavilion with music, theater, and top-notch entertainment. We will be providing dynamic, accessible programming-suitable for all ages-which we hope will enrich campus life at the CIA as well as enhance a popular attraction for local residents and visitors to the Hudson Valley."

Ms. Katz continues, "Nowhere else could we find a magnificent venue that provides an exceptional culinary experience coupled with Broadway-caliber talent and a spectacular view of the Hudson River. We are excited about the myriad of creative possibilities that this collaboration will spark."

Half Moon Theatre's season at the CIA will kick-off with an Inaugural Benefit Gala tonight, October 25, 2014. The Gala features Tony Award-winning actress Cady Huffman, who will perform her show And She Can Cook Too!, which debuted at Broadway cabaret hotspot 54 Below in New York City. Cady is best known for originating the role of Ulla in The Producers opposite Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane. She was also a judge on Iron Chef America for 10 years. Cady's duel passions for food and theater make her the ideal guest performer to headline Half Moon Theatre's new partnership with The Culinary Institute of America.

Half Moon Theatre will continue the season in The Marriott Pavilion with the following exciting productions:

• The World Goes Round, a musical revue of Kander and Ebb's greatest Broadway hits.
• It's A Wonderful Life, the 1946 live radio play that is a holiday show perfect for the entire family.
• Fully Committed, a hilarious one man comedy about the "behind the scenes" drama at Manhattan's top restaurant.

Tickets are $35-$45 and are available at halfmoontheatre.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006. To make reservations for lunch or dinner at The Culinary Institute of America, visit ciarestaurantgroup.com or call 845-471-6608.

Additional information about the shows:

The World Goes Round is a stunning revue of the music of Tony Award-winning songwriters Kander and Ebb. From Cabaret to Chicago, the non-stop hit-parade features unforgettable gems including "All That Jazz," "Cabaret," and "New York, New York," seamlessly interwoven into an up-tempo evening of musical theatre. November 1-16, 2014.

It's a Wonderful Life: The 1946 radio play adapted by Anthony Palermo. Family members ages eight to 80 will love this timeless tale of love and redemption. With six actors playing 25 roles, the production features a live sound-effects person encouraging audience participation by kids and adults alike. Reserve a table at one of the CIA's extraordinary restaurants, and you have the perfect family holiday tradition, right here in the spectacular Hudson Valley! December 5 - 20, 2014.

Fully Committed by Becky Mode. This devastatingly funny comedy follows a day in the life of Sam Peliczowski, an out-of-work actor who staffs the red-hot reservation line at Manhattan's top restaurant. This hilarious show features one versatile actor who plays 40 wildly diverse characters including the maître' d, the chef, and a variety of scheming socialites and celebrities -- who all want a table at the number-one restaurant in town. January 16-25, 2015.

About The Culinary Institute of America - Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering associate and bachelor's degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, applied food studies, and culinary science, as well as certificate programs in culinary arts, and wine and beverage studies. As the world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides thought leadership in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and world cuisines & cultures through research and conferences. The CIA has a network of 46,000 alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Roy Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Johnny Iuzzini, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The CIA also offers courses for professionals and enthusiasts, as well as consulting services in support of innovation for the foodservice and hospitality industry. The college has campuses in Hyde Park, NY; St. Helena, CA; San Antonio, TX; and Singapore.