MTC's 'An Intimate Night' Winter Benefit with Jackson, Naughton and More Held 1/26

MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB will present its annual Winter Benefit: An Intimate Night, an evening of cocktails and dinner followed by a special one-night-only cabaret-style show featuring the fresh faces of 2009, on Monday, January 26, 2009 at the Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor). Two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton will host, introducing three exciting young Broadway performers -- Renee Elise Goldsberry, Cheyenne Jackson, and Leslie Kritzer. Tony Award winner John Rando will direct the show.

James Naughton is the winner of two Tony Awards as Best Actor in a Musical for his work in Chicago and City of Angels. His other Broadway credits include I Love My Wife, Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, and Whose Life Is It Anyway. He directed the Broadway revivals of Our Town and The Price. His screen credits include The Devil Wears Prada, Factory Girl and "Ally McBeal." An acclaimed cabaret performer, he has sung at such notable clubs as Café Carlyle and Feinstein's and won a MAC Award for his cabaret evening, "James Naughton: Street of Dreams."

Renee Elise Goldsberry played Mimi in the closing cast of Rent, originated the role of Nettie in The Color Purple, and played Nala in The Lion King. On television, Renee earned two Daytime Emmy and two NAACP Image Award nominations for her portrayal of Evangeline Williamson on "One Life to Live". Her role as Sylvia in Two Gents earned her a Drama League Nomination and "Best of 2005" in NY Magazine.

Cheyenne Jackson was most recently in the New York City Center production of Damn Yankees. He was awarded the Drama Desk Award and earned a Drama League Award nomination for his starring role in Xanadu. His Broadway credits include All Shook Up (Theatre World Award winner, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League nominee), Aida and Thoroughly Modern Millie. His film credits include the Oscar nominated United 93, Curiosity, Family Practice, and the upcoming Hysteria.

Leslie Kritzer has been seen on Broadway in Legally Blonde, Hairspray and A Catered Affair, for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Other off-Broadway credits include Bat Boy and Godspell. She has won the Clarence Derwent Award for Most Promising Performer and received a Time Out New York Award for her show, Leslie Kritzer Is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches.

The evening begins with a 7pm cocktail reception, followed by dinner at 8pm and the show at 9:15pm. All monies raised from this annual event will benefit MTC's extensive educational outreach programs, as well as its artistic development program.

MTC Board members Bethany Millard and Fiona Kirk are the Co-chairs.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country's most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. MTC productions have earned numerous awards, including 16 Tony Awards and five Pulitzer Prizes, an accomplishment unparalleled by a New York theatrical institution. Renowned MTC productions include Top Girls; From Up Here; Come Back, Little Sheba; The Receptionist; LoveMusik; Blackbird; Translations; Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Kimberly Akimbo; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Love! Valour! Compassion!; Sylvia; Four Dogs and a Bone; Putting It Together; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain't Misbehavin'.

Individual tickets for MTC's Winter Benefit, including cocktails, dinner and the show are available for $2,500 and $1,500. Tables of ten are also available for $25,000, $20,000, and $15,000. For more information, call (212) 399-3000, ext. 4145.