Press Release: $50 Seats Available for Broadway PROs Benefit in LA

Parkinson's Resource Organization announced today that Pat Boone will serve as Honorary Chair for its 15th Annual Autumn Gala, October 2, 2004 at the St. Regis Hotel & Spa in Los Angeles. Jo Rosen, PRO's Volunteer President and Founder, said, "I feel especially honored because of Pat Boone's relationship to Parkinson's disease." Mr. Boone's manager and friend of 40+ years, Jack Spina, lived with the challenges of Parkinson's.

Special $50 Show-Only seats are now available and may be purchased by calling the office Toll Free at 877.775.4111. These seats MUST be purchased in advance of Friday, October 1st.

Pat Boone will be among the many celebrities scheduled to appear in the event. This year, for the first time, PRO will be bringing Broadway to the West Coast. For the evening's entertainment, Jamie McGonnigal, director of the 2004 Nightlife Awards as well as producer of the concerts of Children of Eden, Snoopy starring Tony-Winner Sutton Foster and the upcoming Pippin for The National AIDS Fund, will direct stars of Broadway Fame in "Broadway PRO" – a Broadway celebration in tribute to the Parkinson's Resource Organization. Andy & Bob's Big Band will provide the music. Among those lending their voices: Daisy Eagan (Tony Winner - The Secret Garden, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Susan Egan (Tony Nominee - Disney's Beauty and the Beast), Malcolm Gets (Caroline in the City), Deborah Gibson (80's Pop Icon, Broadway Star of Cabaret, Gypsy), Jodie Langel (Les Miserables, Author of Making it on Broadway), Alec Mapa (Connie & Carla), Erin Quill (Avenue Q), Jack Plotnick (Gods and Monsters, Girls will be Girls), Lea Thompson (Back to the Future, Caroline in the City) and Adrian Zmed (TJ Hooker, Grease 2).

Stephen Macht, Actor, Director and Producer will emcee the evening. Lew Cunnington will conduct the Live Auction. Additional celebrity guests include: "Bond girl" Maud Adams, Actors Michael Durrell and Charlotte Savitz and Comedian Louie Nye.

The Gala will truly be a magnificent evening, beginning with a reception at 5:30 pm, live and silent auction, dinner, dancing, Broadway celebrities performing Broadway entertainment, and a Grand Prize Drawing for a fabulous trip: "Italy – Three Cities in Grand Style – Seven Nights of Luxury" in Rome, Florence and Tuscany; BusinessFirst airfare for two provided by Continental Airlines. Invitations are being sent throughout the United States and PRO anticipates a full house.

The year's celebration honors Jo Rosen. Ms. Rosen is founder of the Parkinson's Resource Organization and has been its Volunteer President for over fifteen years. Her unwavering dedication to PRO, and all who support her efforts, has resulted in much-needed help to hundreds of families affected by Parkinson's.

About Parkinson's Resource Organization

Parkinson's Resource Organization is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 1990 and headquartered in Palm Desert, CA. The Parkinson's Resource Organization is a lifeline for the families of people with Parkinson's disease. Being a caregiver is a major lifestyle change that often comes without any prior warning. PRO is there to offer emotional support and education to those who must cope with the daily care of a person with Parkinson's. PRO also raises funds for respite care for caregivers who otherwise could not afford to take time off from caring for someone with fourth or fifth stage Parkinson's.

The funds raised by the annual Autumn Gala event represent a significant portion of Parkinson's Resource Organization's annual program budget. PRO has support groups throughout Southern California and an outreach, by way of a monthly news letter, throughout the U.S. and the world. These dollars help PRO offer these programs at no cost to the families with Parkinson's.