Tony Winner Beth Leavel to Co-Host 17th Annual COLUMN Awards Gala

THE COLUMN Awards Organization announced today that one of Broadway's brightest stars will serve as the guest star and Co-host for the 17th Annual COLUMN Awards Gala, Tony Award winner Beth Leavel.

THE COLUMN Awards is the only awards organization in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex that honors excellence in theater, both in equity and Non-equity. They also use their annual gala as a fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. They hold the great honor to be the only awards organization in the United States that does this. This past year they donated $6,500.00, since their inception they have raised over $100,000 for BCEFA.

Ms. Leavel received Tony, Drama Desk, NY Outer Critics Circle and L.A. Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in the mega hit smash musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received a Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nomination for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby It's You. She recently made her NY Cabaret debut at 54 Below to sell out audiences. She has performed the roles of Dolly in Hello Dolly at Cape Playhouse, Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias at the North Carolina Theatre and the much put upon maid, Berthe, in Boeing-Boeing at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Other Broadway roles Emily in Elf, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Tess in the original company of Crazy For You, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War, Ellie in Hal Prince's Showboat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street. Ms. Leavel was also seen in New York City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette as Lucille. Numerous Off-Broadway, regional theatre, commercials, and TV, including the final episode of ER. MFA from UNC-G. Proud mom to T.J. and Sam. She is grateful to my boys @ BRS/GAGE

From New York Ms. Leavel stated, "I am so very honored, delighted and tickled to be joining my Dallas/Fort Worth sisters and brothers for THE COLUMN Awards! Woo hoo!! It is guaranteed to be a night of celebration, song and laughs!!...and all benefiting an organization near and dear to my heart...BCEFA! Who knows...there maybe a little "Stumble Along" before the night is over...the possibilities are endless.....See you then!"

John Garcia (Executive Director/Producer/Founder of THE COLUMN Awards) stated, "Ever since I saw her slay the audience in laughter on Broadway in The Drowsy Chaperone I knew we just had to have her as our guest star! And her Tony award acceptance speech is one of the greatest speeches ever given! Having seen her also in interviews, she is just so hilarious and quick witted. That is the perfect combo platter for our gala audience! Our audience will see this Broadway treasure perform live and bring so much laughter to our evening! My board of directors and I are just bursting with thrilling excitement on having this Tony Award winning star come to THE COLUMN Awards Gala! It will be a fantastic evening for sure! "

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