Urban Stages To Honor Credit Suisse's Stanley Zareff may 23

Urban Stages, Founder, Artistic Director and Board of Directors, Frances Hill is pleased to announce that Urban Stages' 27th annual benefit, Stars Shine for Urban Stages' Outreach, will be held at the Boathouse in Central Park on May 23rd, 2011. The event celebrates the company's successful Outreach Program that brings over 350 programs of arts-in-education to schools and libraries throughout the five boroughs. This year Urban Stages will honor Stanley Zareff, Director, Corporate Communications , Credit Suisse along with Urban Stages teaching artists Timothy Connell (actor), Carrie Ellman-Larson (actor), Maggie Keenan Bolger (actor), Liz Parker (actor), Jovoni Serrano (dancer) and J Lyn Thomas (dancer). The gala will be a glamorous "Spring Fling" featuring entertainment by Bob Hardwick, sunset boat rides, dancing under the stars and a live auction.

For over 18 years Urban Stages has been presenting "arts in education" classes, plays and workshops in the community. Being celebrated at the gala are a few of the talented and hardworking actors, musicians and dancers who, as teaching artists, bring their talents to help fulfill the lives of audience of all ages, preschoolers through senior citizens

Stanley Zareff has been associated with Urban Stages for over 20 years as an artist, Board Member and contributor. He will receive Urban Stages' Luminary Award in recognition of his life-long commitment to artistic and cultural organization in the New York community. He is a member of the Lower Eastside Service Center and in 2006, received the Center's 50th Anniversary Outstanding Service Award. He worked with residents at the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center for many years. He has served as Special Events Director of "Broadway Walk of Stars." He joined Credit Suisse in 1986 and provides communications training to executives of the Bank and workshops for employees at all levels globally, while serving as an in-house resources coach on presentation and speaking skills to Credit Suisse clients.

"Stanley is a Renaissance man who bridges the world of the arts, entertainment and business effortlessly, and is a tireless and passionate supporter of not only Urban Stages, but many other important cultural and philanthropic organizations," said Ms Hill.

Urban Stages has brought exciting new plays to the New York stage. Last season the world premiere of the musical Langston in Harlem by Walter Marks, Kent Gash, and Langston Hughes garnered many awards including the Audelco Award for best musical production of 2010. This winter their production of Musical Legends, a series of four tributes to Nat King Cole, Marlene Dietrich, Pearl Bailey and Kaye Ballard, brought a 2011 Bistro Award to performer Janice Hall and a MAC nomination to director Peter Napolitano for their Dietrich show.

Enjoy a "Spring Fling" under the stars at the boathouse while savoring a delicious dinner by Executive Chef Anthony E. Walton. Win a stay at the famous Dromoland Castle in Ireland at the live auction conducted by auctioneer Harmer Johnson. At nine o'clock 20 to 35 year old Urban Stages' "late nighters" are invited to come to the gala for a lower price to dance the night away at the boathouse.
The featured entertainment, Bob Hardwick and his orchestra, has performed throughout the world, including five Presidential Inaugurals, benefit galas and corporate events of all sizes and was designated by Town & Country Magazine as the "Best of the Best" and one of the top dance orchestras in the U.S. Hardwick was the subject of feature articles in People and Fortune magazines and has been profiled on the Fine Living TV network and on Bloomberg Radio.

Stars Shine for Urban Stages' Outreach

At the Boathouse in Central Park
Honoring Stanley Zareff
May 23, 2011
Tickets are $650 per person.
Patron Tickets are $350 per person.
Angel Tickets - $40 per person (18 to 35 after 9PM)
Tickets are available online at www.urbanstages.org or by calling 212 321-1380