Shields Returns to 'Bdwy' for Roundabout's 2009 Annual Spring Gala

Brooke Shields is returning to Broadway, the actress will be a member of the starry roster of talent for Roundabout's 2009 Annual Spring Gala hosted by Tony Award winner Nathan Lane.

The actress' announcement comes just days after she confirmed her TV show Lipstick Jungle had been axed by network NBC. Shields, however, is remaining coy about her role in the Roundabout benefit show.

She tells the New York Daily News, "I don't want to ruin the surprise, but I can tell you I'm the only one in the show who gets to flirt. And, trust me, I flirt a lot!"

On Monday, April 6th, 2009, Roundabout will take their guests back in time to the heyday of big bands and classic songs in New York City with a unique evening called "Take Me Back to Manhattan" at Roseland Ballroom (239 West 52nd St, NYC).

For one night only, Roundabout will recreate a swanky nightclub circa 1940 featuring the music of the day's great composers: Rodgers, Porter, Arlen, Berlin, Ellington, Gershwin and more. The golden age will be recaptured as guests are treated to a gourmet dinner, live auction and the highlight of the evening, an original musical revue created by Tony Award® winner Kathleen Marshall, director and choreographer of The Pajama Game and Grease. The revue will feature today's hottest Broadway stars revisiting the classic songs that were the popular hits of the day.

Roundabout Theatre Company's 2009 Spring Gala will begin at 7:00PM with dinner and a live auction.

The musical revue begins at 9:00PM, directed by Tony Award® winner Kathleen Marshall and including performances by Brooke Shields, Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Kelli O'Hara, Audra McDonald, Mario Cantone, Boyd Gaines, Denis O'Hare, Katie Finneran and more! Special guest artists include: Alec Baldwin, Matthew Broderick, Cynthia Nixon, Michael Cerveris, Margaret Colin, Bill Irwin, Richard Thomas and more. All celebrity appearances are subject to change.

Underwriter and above ticket buyers are also invited to a private VIP Cocktail Party with guest artists and other entertainment VIP's at 6:00PM.

The Gala chairman is Lois Robbins-Zaro. Catering will be provided by Creative Edge Parties.
All proceeds from this event benefit Roundabout Theatre Company's Musical Theatre Fund.

Ticket prices are:
$1,250 Patron Single Ticket (includes dinner and the musical performance).

**$1,500 Benefactor Single Ticket (includes dinner and the musical performance).

**$2,500 Underwriter Single Ticket
(includes VIP cocktail reception, dinner and the musical performance).

**$3,500 Celebrity Circle Single Ticket
(includes VIP cocktail reception, dinner and the musical performance).

**$5,000 Producer's Circle Single Ticket
(includes VIP cocktail reception, dinner and the musical performance).

**10-person group table seating also available at this level.

To purchase tickets to Roundabout's 2009 Spring Gala contact: Ashley Firestone, Special Events, at 212-719-9393.
For more information: www.roundabouttheatre.org/gala.htm

ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY is one of the country's leading not-for-profit theatres. The company contributes invaluably to New York's cultural life by staging the highest quality revivals of classic plays and musicals as well as new plays by established writers. Roundabout consistently partners great artists with great works to bring a fresh and exciting interpretation that makes each production relevant and important to today's audiences.

Roundabout Theatre Company's 2008-2009 season includes Lisa Loomer's Distracted featuring Cynthia Nixon, directed by Mark Brokaw; Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Paul Sparks and Peter Stormare, directed by Ian Rickson; Christopher Hampton's The Philanthropist, starring Matthew Broderick, directed by David Grindley; Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, starring (in order of speaking) Nathan Lane, Bill Irwin, John Goodman, John Glover, directed by Anthony Page. Roundabout's sold out production of The 39 Steps made its second Broadway transfer to the Helen Hayes Theatre on January 21, 2009.

Roundabout Theatre Company's 2009-2010 season includes Patrick Marber's After Miss Julie, starring Sienna Miller, directed by Mark Brokaw; Michael Stewart, Lee Adams and Charles Strouse's Bye Bye Birdie, directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom and Noël Coward's Present Laughter starring Victor Garber, directed by Nicholas Martin.

www.roundabouttheatre.org/gala.htm

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.