Eden Espinosa to Headline APACF's GREAT GATSBY WEEKEND, 8/24-25

The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation (APACF) (http://www.apacf.org) has announced that Anaheim native and Broadway star Eden Espinosa (Broadway: WICKED, RENT, FLORA THE RED MENACE) will be the headlining entertainment at the third annual GREAT GATSBY WEEKEND which is to be held on August 24 & 25 at Fox Pointe Manor and the Lost World Estate, the magnificent estate residences of Dr. Howard and Linda Knohl and Patrick and Jolynn Mahoney in Anaheim Hills.

Eden Espinosa was born and raised in Anaheim. She is most recognized for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production of "Wicked." She has also performed the role of the green witch to critical acclaim in both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Other musical theater accomplishments include originating the title character in "Brooklyn the Musical" from the original workshop through its Broadway run, starring as Flora in the Reprise Theater Company's production of "Flora the Red Menace," and playing Maureen in the closing company of "Rent," the final performance of which was filmed live for Sony and is available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Eden is also well recognized from her many television appearances on shows such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Good Morning America," "The Today Show," "Law & Order," "Ugly Betty," The 2008 Tony Awards, and The 2008 Alma Awards performing with BeBe Winans. Her voiceover credits include several episodes of "Robot Chicken," "MADtv" and as Sasha Caylo in "Titan Maximum."

Known for her powerful and emotionally charged vocal style, she was the featured soloist in "Magical," the fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort, and can be heard on such recordings as "Hair" (BCEFA benefit recording), "The Maury Yeston Songbook," "Bright Lights, Big City," "John McDaniel Live at Joe's Pub," and Scott Alan's "Dreaming Wide Awake." Eden made her solo concert debut in Los Angeles with her show "ME" in December 2008. She then took the show to New York, where she performed to four sold-out audiences at Joe's Pub in March 2009. On July 24, 2009, she brought the show back to Los Angeles and performed at the Ford Amphitheatre to a sold-out audience. In 2010, her show "From Eden With Love" was performed to sold-out crowds in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Currently, Eden is touring in support of her critically acclaimed debut album "Look Around," which has made it onto the iTunes pop charts alongside many of today's most notable pop vocalists. "Look Around" includes several modern Broadway hits arranged with a pop sensibility aimed at pleasing both die-hard Broadway fans and mainstream pop music listeners alike.

Honorary Chairperson for the GREAT GATSBY WEEKEND is Joel Zwick. Mr. Zwick is a film, television and theater director and is best known for his work on "Perfect Strangers," "Full House" and "Family Matters" as well as directing the theatrical films "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Second Sight" and "Fat Albert."

After only a few years, the GREAT GATSBY WEEKEND is one of the most fashionable and heavily anticipated fundraising events in Orange County.

Saturday: Enjoy fine wine, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction at The Lost World Estate home of Patrick and Jolynn Mahoney, followed by sumptuous dinner and stellar entertainment under the stars at Dr. Howard & Linda Knohl's Fox Pointe Manor.

Sunday: Delight in an afternoon with a festival of wine and beer tastings; fine food from some of the best restaurants in the Anaheim area as well as a unique shopping experience and blues entertainment on the Great Lawn at Fox Pointe Manor.

SAVE THE DATE! August 24 & 25, 2013. You won't want to miss this fun-filled and exciting weekend! Tickets to the GREAT GATSBY WEEKEND are $250 for Saturday, $45 for Sunday, or $275 for the entire weekend of events. For more information or to be added to mailing list, visit www.apacf.org or call 714-554-2711.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the APAC Foundation whose mission is to build a performing arts center in Anaheim.

The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt organization, has been formed to build and maintain a signature building with state-of-the-art performance and educational facilities. Working with the City of Anaheim, corporate and private sponsors, we are dedicated to making the dream of a cultural center and performing arts theater in Anaheim become a reality.

Photo courtesy Eden Espinosa.