The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival will announce the program for this year's theme, Tennessee Williams and Music, at its first gala fundraising dinner on June 2, 2012. Guests will be treated to a sneak preview of one of this year's productions, "Autumn Song," an exclusive auction and art exhibition of white-line woodcuts by Bill Evaul, and a special appearance by entertainer Zoe Lewis.
A series of works created by renowned Provincetown artist Bill Evaul especially for this year's Festival will be revealed in a one-night exhibition of Tennessee Williams and Music White-line Woodcut Prints.
Co-founder and curator of the festival David Kaplan says, "It's apt that our image reflect Provincetown's artistic heritage with woodcuts created for us by a master of this genre. Bill's style, energy and love of music perfectly convey the pleasures of music integral to this year's shows."
The first print Evaul created, the portrait of Tennessee Williams with musical notes rising from his cigarette smoke, will be sold in a live auction, exclusively for dinner guests.
Other special Williams' items to be auctioned live are:
A French Quarter Getaway for Two – a week in New Orleans, where Tennessee Williams lived, wrote and set some of his plays, including A Streetcar Named Desire. Package includes z one-bedroom apartment, a personal tour of places that were important to Williams, Harrah's casino credits, and dinner for two at a local restaurant.
A Playbill from the original 1947 Broadway production of Williams' groundbreaking play, "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Minneapolis Composer and pianist George Maurer, will appear with the multi-talented bassist and vocalist, Jeff Engholm, to perform a number from "Autumn Song." In this innovative new production, Tennessee Williams will meet Rainer Maria Rilke in a dramatic musical conversation. Executive Director of the Festival, Jef Hall-Flavin says, "Tennessee Williams was a first a poet and during the time he lived in Provincetown he was inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry. George Maurer fuses jazz and gospel into an emotional song style that's perfectly suited for Rilke and Williams' poetry."
To round out the evening, the popular Zoe Lewis, singer and multi-instrumentalist will make a special appearance, singing and playing her own brand of music with a world-beat groove.
The award-winning Far Land Provisions will serve up a creative assortment of hors d'oeuvres, followed by a sumptuous summer dinner created by Guest Chef, Derik Burgess. To date, sponsors are Far Land Provisions, PAAM, Perry's Liquors, and 8 Dyer Hotel.
The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival takes place in various venues throughout the seaside village of Provincetown from Thursday, September 20 through Sunday, September 23, 2012. Theater artists from around the globe come together to perform classic and innovative productions to celebrate the enduring influence of America's great playwright Tennessee Williams in the 21st Century.
The gala takes place at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, 460 Commercial Street.
6:30 pm - Cocktail Hour with Bill Evaul; 7:30 pm - Dinner and Entertainment with Live Auction
$75 - Cocktail Hour Only; $125 - Dinner for One; $1000 - Table of Eight.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased at www.twptown.org or by calling 866/789-TENN (8366).
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