Theaterworks USA Honors Chalfant, Moynihan & Velasquez at Annual Gala Benefit, 10/26

On Monday, October 26, 2009, Theatreworks USA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Director; Ken Arthur, Producing Director), a leading not-for-profit professional theatre will honor Kathleen Chalfant, Mike Moynihan and Patricia Velásquez with the Lee Salk "Goodworks" Award at its annual awards dinner and gala. The event begins at 6pm at The Pierre in midtown Manhattan, with cocktails and silent auction followed by dinner, awards, and live entertainment.

Hosted by Colman Domingo, star and author of the critically acclaimed play A Boy and His Soul (now playing at the Vineyard Theatre), the Gala is Theatreworks USA's major fundraising event of the year. Proceeds from the Gala enable Theatreworks to bring its plays and musicals to three million children across North America every year, and to support its annual Free Summer Theatre program, bringing the magic of live theatre to nearly 20,000 disadvantaged New York City youth every summer.

Theatreworks USA's Goodworks Award was established in 1985 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of business, philanthropy and/or the arts. The award was renamed in 1992 to the Lee Salk Goodworks Award in memory of Theatreworks USA's dedicated board member.

Award recipient Kathleen Chalfant is best known for her performances in Wit (Drama Desk, Obie, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics awards) and Angels in America (Tony and Drama Desk nominations). Additional Awards include the 1996 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance and the Drama League and Sidney Kingsley Awards for her body of work. Kathleen is a founding member of the Women's Project and sits on the boards of The Vineyard Theatre, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and the advisory board of the New York Foundation for the Arts. She also appeared in Theatreworks USA's 2006 production of Great Expectations as Miss Havisham. On hand to present her award will be two-time Tony Award-winning actor, Frances Sternhagen.

Honoree Mike Moynihan is the Vice President of Marketing for LEGO Systems, Inc. (the retail sales & marketing division in North America, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland, all of which are divisions of the family-owned and privately-held LEGO Group, the world's fourth largest toy company.) The LEGO Group is proud to join Theatreworks USA in celebrating the creativity of every child. Presenting the Award to Mr. Moynahan will be Judy Franks, the Founder and President of The Marketing Democracy, an innovative marketing consultancy.

Born in Venezuela, honoree Patricia Velásquez became the first Latina runway supermodel for Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera, and has appeared on many magazine covers, on television and in film, most recognizably in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. She made her stage debut in the School of The Americas, at NYC's Public Theater. Patricia Velásquez is a UNESCO Artist for Peace and is an active charity worker. She also received the Women Together award at the UN. Her Wayuu Taya Foundation is dedicated to improving the living conditions of Latin American indigenous groups while respecting their culture. Her award will be presented by the media entrepreneur Earl L. Jones, Jr., Founder, Chairman & CEO of Jones Broadcast Group, LLC.

In addition, the Gala will feature performances from the Broadway casts of Memphis: A New Musical (Chad Kimball, singing "The Memphis in Me"), West Side Story (Kyle Brenn, singing "Somewhere") and Avenue Q (Ann Harada, singing "The More You Ruv Someone," accompanied by Tony Award-winner Robert Lopez). In addition, Lopez and his wife, lyricist Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Finding Nemo: The Musical), both Theatreworks alums, will present a song from their new show, Up Here, performed by Allison Case (Hair). Audiences will also be treated to a sneak peek at Theatreworks USA's new musical We the People with a performance by Theatreworks alums Eric Petersen (Shrek: The Musical), Maria-Christina Oliveras and Jaclyn Huberman.

The cocktail reception and silent auction begins at 6pm, followed by dinner, awards and live performances at 7pm. Tickets for the event are $500 to $1,000, and tables for ten may be purchased for $7,500 to $10,000. A special theatre industry rate of $250/seat is also available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Gala, call Liz Alsina, Theatreworks USA's Director of Development, at 212.647.1100 x 129.

Founded in 1961, Theatreworks USA, America's foremost not-for-profit professional theatre for young and family audiences, is the most prolific producer of professional theatre in America. During the 2009-2010 season, it is producing 28 different productions of 15 original plays and musicals with full Equity casts, both in New York City and on tour, reaching an audience of more than three million in 45 states. Recent New York City productions at the Lucille Lortel Theatre include Click, Clack, Moo, Seussical (three Lortel Award nominations including "Outstanding Revival"), The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks, Junie B. Jones (two Lortel Award nominations including "Outstanding Musical"), Max & Ruby and Anne of Green Gables.

Now in its 49th season, Theatreworks USA's productions have been seen by audiences of nearly 100 million. Theatreworks USA has received a myriad of honors including the 1996 Drama Desk Award, the 1996 Lucille Lortel Award, the 1998 Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence, and the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Award. Their 2009-2010 touring season includes Charlotte's Web; A Christmas Carol; Click, Clack, Moo; Freedom Train; Henry & Mudge; If You Give a Pig a Pancake & Other Story Books; Junie B. Jones; The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe; Max & Ruby; Nate the Great; and Seussical. For more information, visit www.twusa.org.