MRT's 'A Cause for Applause' Benefit Raises Over $116,000

On Thursday, June 20 the Friends of MRT held their "A Cause for Applause"charity auction to benefit Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT). The event was held at the UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center and featured celebrity auctioneer Susan Wornick, a live and silent auction, and a seated dinner. With almost 300 people in attendance, "A Cause for Applause" raised over $116,000 for MRT, which will benefit the theatre's mainstage and education programs.

Joellen Scannell, Chair of the Friends of MRT was thrilled with the event. "This auction is always a fun evening out, but I feel this was our best one to date! We were able to garner more sponsors and community support than ever. Susan Wornick was amazing as always, and provided us with some hilarious entertainment during the live auction, which featured some fabulous prizes. We raised a lot of money for a very worthy cause, one that certainly adds to our community."

Items featured in the live and silent auction included a trip to Bermuda, a cruise, tickets to the sold out Jason Aldean concert at Fenway, a dream car experience, and more. This year, local artists from the Lowell area were asked to enter their pieces in for the auction, which provided a wonderful showcase for the artists in the community.

TICKETS: Single tickets to all productions in the 2013-2014 Season will go on in sale August. Tickets begin at $20. Tickets may be purchased online at MRT.org or by calling the Box Office at 978-654-4MRT (4678). Merrimack Repertory Theatre's Box Office is located at 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA.

DISCOUNTS: Senior discount 10% off adult ticket price. Student tickets $15. Group discounts are available for groups of six or more by calling 978-654-7561. Half-Price Rush Tickets - Stop by or call the box office (978-654-4678) after 5pm on any Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday evening and get 50% off remaining seats for that night's performance.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Don't miss a single show! Discount subscription packages are now on sale for MRT's 2013-2014 Season. All subscriptions include exclusive subscriber-only benefits, including free parking, restaurant and theatre discounts, lost ticket insurance and free, unlimited ticket exchanges. For season or subscription information, call 978-654-4678 or visit MRT.org.

For MRT show times, tickets, season information, or directions, please visit MRT.org or call the Box Office at 978-654-4MRT (4678).

MRT (Merrimack Repertory Theatre) is one of Massachusetts' most highly-regarded theatre companies and one of only three theatres in the state to be a member of LORT (the League of Resident Theatres) which represents the 74 leading non-profit theatres in America. Under the artistic direction of Charles Towers since 2001, it has become known for producing an eclectic mix of new plays and regional premieres, with an emphasis on writers giving voice to the American experience. Now preparing for its 35th Season, MRT attracts over 40,000 people each year to its newly-renovated Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Since its founding in 1979, MRT has served as a vital cultural, educational and economic resource for Greater Lowell and its surrounding region. Nationally-recognized professional theatre artists from New York and across the country are attracted to Lowell by MRT's reputation for artistic excellence, for maintaining a steadfast commitment to theatre as an art form of substance and meaning, for regularly selecting fresh and challenging material, and for cultivating an uncommonly loyal, intelligent and appreciative audience. Because MRT believes in the essential value of the art of theatre for all people, and that a theatre production is not complete until an audience helps bring it to life, prices are scaled to be affordable for all.

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