VIP Fundraiser with Former NFL Starsfor Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett Medical Center Set for 1/14

Support two of Gwinnett's great non-profits on January 14 at Aurora Theatre. Guests will get a chance to rub elbows with former NFL players and get an exclusive sneak-peek at The Brand Signature Series production Lombardi by Eric Simonson, based on the book When Pride Still Mattered - A Life of Vince Lombardi written by David Maraniss. The idea came from former Detroit Lion and Life After the Game founder, LaMar Campbell who thought this event would be a great way to support the arts in our community and bring awareness and support to the new Concussion Institute at Gwinnett Medical Center. Concussion safety and treatment is a topic near and dear to many current and former NFL stars and Mr. Campbell has thrown his full support behind this event. With that in mind, several former NFL greats scheduled to attend, including: David Greene (UGA & Seattle Seahawks), Chuck Smith (Atlanta Falcons), Matt Stinchcomb (UGA, Oakland Raiders & Tampa Bay Buccaneers), as well as Super Bowl Champions from the Green Bay Packers - Eric Matthews and Georgia Tech alum Dorsey Levens. And more are expected. Tickets include a VIP reception at the theatre at 7pm and the show beginning at 8pm. The cost to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event is just $25 and the proceeds benefit the Concussion Institute at Gwinnett Medical Center and Aurora Theatre.

"We are always looking for ways to deepen our relationship with community partners. Gwinnett Medical Center is a long-time supporter of Aurora's Christmas Canteen. An event like this gives us an opportunity to show our appreciation of them not only as a sponsor and a community asset, but as a state-of-the-art medical provider," Aurora Theatre Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez.

"One of Gwinnett Medical Center's many cutting edge services is our new Concussion Institute," said Jason Chandler, President of the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation. "We believe this partnership is a wonderful way to communicate with the community the importance of having outstanding concussion prevention and management. We are so very grateful to Aurora Theatre for helping us in our ongoing mission to transform healthcare in the community we share."

Although football's Super Bowl trophy is named for him, few know the real story of Vince Lombardi - his inspirations, his passions and his ability to drive people to achieve what they never thought possible. In the play, a diligent young reporter named Michael McCormick takes us inside the life of this legendary icon. Lombardi ran on Broadway in 2010-2011 coinciding with Green Bay Packer's championship run. The production features an all-star Atlanta cast with Bart Hansard in the title role. He will be joined by Carolyn Cook, Jacob York, Brody Wellmaker, John Stewart and Chris Moses. The show runs January 16 through February 9, 2014.