Richard Jay-Alexander & Baayork Lee Helm NAAP's PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE Gala Tonight

National Asian Artists Project celebrates its 5th Anniversary of "showcasing the work of Asian-American theatre artists through performance, outreach and educational programming" tonight, October 5th at 8pm at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (56 LaGuardia Place) with PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE, a one-night-only Gala Benefit evening featuring a line-up of show-stopping wall-to-wall musical numbers from Broadway shows, highlights from past NAAP productions and current material, as well as what Ms. Lee hopes to stage in the future.

With a cast of over one hundred supervised by Ms. Lee and acclaimed director Richard Jay-Alexander, the evening will feature seasoned Broadway professionals -- friends and supporters of NAAP -- staging many of the numbers. With a full orchestra led by Broadway musical supervisor and conductor Kevin Stites and lighting & sound design by Matt Berman, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support this worthy company as they head into the future. To see established Broadway stars and the young members of NAAP "side-by-side" is sure to be a night to remember.

"I am very excited that we are celebrating our 5th anniversary with this benefit gala, PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE,"states Ms. Lee. "It has been a long road for me and my co-founders Steven Eng and Nina Zoie Lam, as we continue our mission to make a difference in our community. This celebration will showcase the talent of our Asian-American performers as never before. We are so grateful to Richard Jay-Alexander for his belief in our mission and his willingness to help us take National Asian Artists Project to the next level. As he says, 'Go big, or go home'."

"Last year, I went to see NAAP's production of Oliver!," notes Mr. Jay-Alexander." I knew that Cameron Mackintosh had granted special rights for the presentation in New York and that this was a big deal. The show is near and dear to Cameron's heart and there has not yet been a Broadway revival or U.S. Tour since the successful 2009 West End revival. As I sat in the tiny theatre, my jaw dropped! What I witnessed was accomplished on very limited means, but BIG on heart and skill. NAAP does great work and it needs support - both in constituents and financially. Audiences and families need to know about them! The organization serves a "gap" in the community and that is why I signed on immediately. Baayork is Broadway royalty, but a reluctant hero in the important work that she is doing here. I'm proud to stand by her side and put on the best show possible, in addition to raising as much money and awareness as we can."

Tickets are $35-$100 (VIP tickets at $250 include post show party) and are available for purchase online at nyuskirball.org/calendar/pastpresentfuture on the phone at (212) 998-4941. For further information visit www.naaproject.org.

Photo by Walter McBride