Matthew Morrison to Appear at Westport Country Playhouse's Gala, Honoring Kelli O'Hara

Matthew Morrison will be among the Broadway talents saluting 2015 Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara at Westport Country Playhouse's annual fundraiser on Monday, September 21. Additional guests participating in the event, "Something Wonderful: A Gala Evening Celebrating Kelli O'Hara," will be announced soon.

Morrison played opposite O'Hara in "The Light in the Piazza," for which the two actors were each nominated for Tony Awards. He also portrayed Lt. Cable, while O'Hara played Nellie Forbush, in the Tony Award-winning revival of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center Theater.

Morrison currently stars on Broadway as J.M Barrie in the Harvey Weinstein musical "Finding Neverland." He recently wrapped the final season of Fox's musical comedy series "Glee," where he starred as the director of the glee club, Mr. Schuester. The show received Golden Globe Awards for "Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical" in 2010 and 2011.

This August, The Weinstein Company will release the soccer-centric animated comedy, "Underdogs," with voices led by Morrison. He will next be seen in "Tulip Fever," opposite Jack O'Connell, Christoph Waltz, and Dame Judi Dench.

Morrison studied musical theater, vocal performance, and dance at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He made his debut on Broadway in "Footloose," but his big break came when he was cast as heartthrob Link Larkin in the Broadway hit "Hairspray."

Gala proceeds will benefit the non-profit, professional producing theater, now in its 85th season - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community. The gala includes a one-night-only performance by Broadway talent, and surprise guests. Artists are subject to change.

A cocktail party will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. performance. Dinner with the evening's artists and special guests will be at 8:30 p.m. A silent auction will be on-going throughout the evening. Attire is festive; black tie optional.

The Gala Committee co-chairs are Ania Czekaj-Farber of Westport, and Jake Robards of Greenwich. Karen Parrella of Weston is auction chair.

Bank of America, U.S. Trust; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Cohen & Wolf, P.C.; First Niagara; KPMG; People's Bank; and Pitney Bowes are early corporate partners. Additional corporate sponsorship packages are available.

Gala tickets range from $2,500 to $250. Benefactor level, at $2,500 per person, includes a cocktail party, highest priority seating at performance, post-performance dinner with the evening's stars, and an invitation to a Benefactor Preview Party; Patron level, at $1,000 per person, includes a cocktail party, priority seating at performance, and post-performance dinner with the evening's stars. A limited number of Supporter tickets are available at $250 per person and include a cocktail party and the evening's performance. For more gala information or ticket purchases, contact Elizabeth Marks Juviler, director of corporate relations and special events, at (203) 571-1293 or ejuviler@westportplayhouse.org.

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