Star Power at TUTS' American Musical Theatre Awards - Rivera, Tune, Holliday, Cuccioli and More

Some of Broadway's finest take over Sarofim Hall stage on Thursday, April 28 to salute one of Broadway's most prolific writing teams, John Kander and Fred Ebb, during Theatre Under The Stars' 2005 American Musical Theatre Awards. The longest-running music-and-lyrics partnership in Broadway musical history, Kander and Ebb have created such revered musicals as Chicago, Cabaret, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Steel Pier, among others.

Saluting these Broadway legends through song will be Chita Rivera (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Tony Award; The Rink, Tony Award; Chicago, stage and film, Tony nomination); Houston's own Tommy Tune (Cabaret); Houston's own Jennifer Holliday (Chicago); Robert Cuccioli (The World Goes 'Round); Karen Ziemba (Steel Pier, Chicago, The World Goes 'Round); Karen Mason (The World Goes 'Round); Houston's own Caitlin Carter (Chicago); Deidre Goodwin (Chicago, stage and film); and Houston's own and TUTS Humphreys School alumnus Tracy Shayne (Chicago).

As Broadway and regional theatres continue to keep Kander and Ebb's musicals alive on-stage, the film duo, Rob Marshall and John DeLuca, are keeping their work alive on celluloid as the creative partnership behind the 2003 Oscar-winning film version of Chicago. TUTS will present Marshall and DeLuca special Director/Choreographer awards on behalf of their outstanding work in the field.

Chaired by Marilyn and George DeMontrond, TUTS' American Musical Theatre Awards will feature a stellar evening of cocktails, entertainment, the awards presentation, and dinner and dancing. Serving on the Host Committee are Houston business and civic leaders: Sofia Adrogue & Sten Gustafson, Traci & Kevin Corcoran, Wanda & Carl Dalton, Shannon & Doug Dawson, Wendy & Alistair Dawson, Doe & Henry Florsheim, Charlotte & Morris Foster, Leslie & David Frankfort, Cynthia & Ben Guill, Janet & Mark Jacobs, Cindy & Kent Kahle, Trinidad Mendenhall, Barbara & Geoff Roberts, Janet & Ron Rossi, Marsha & David Taylor, Leticia & Stephen Trauber, and Kim & Chuck Watson.

Developed by TUTS in 2002, the American Musical Theatre Awards honors distinguished individuals who have contributed significantly to the American musical theatre.

Individual tickets, which include the cocktail reception, awards ceremony, and dinner and dancing, are available for $1,000. Table sponsorships begin at $10,000. To purchase tickets or a table, call Carly Glackin at Theatre Under The Stars at (713) 558-2600, ext. 3656.

For more information on the evening, click here.