BWW Previews: COLLABORACT Is Louisville Milestone

We hold this truth to be self-evident: There is a lot of theatre in Louisville. But with this incredible abundance of creativity comes a culture where companies and audiences alike can get stuck in the world of a single producing organization. Acting Against Cancer is looking to change that compartmentalization for one night with the Friday, June 26 event COLLABORACT!.

COLLABORACT! is a massive musical theatre concert taking place in The Bomhard Theater of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. The event will be hosted by Tom Dunbar and feature performances from Acting Against Cancer, Theatre [502], StageOne Family Theatre, CenterStage and Pandora Productions. As it showcases some of Louisville's favorite theatre companies all on one stage, it will truly be a milestone for the arts community.

In the lobby of The Kentucky Center, there will be both pre and post-show receptions. First, there's the Prelude. You arrive at The Kentucky Center at 6 p.m. and immediately are surrounded by an open wine and beer bar, a delectable array of heavy hors d'oeuvres, an engaging bunch of representatives from Louisville theatre companies and an exciting and robust silent auction. Among the items up for auction are a night at 21C, $500 to Genesis Diamonds and a stay at a cabin on Lake Tahoe.

As you mingle, sip and snack, a film highlighting best moments of Acting Against Cancer history will be playing in the background. Yelp and Do502 will also be on-hand to provide some silly activities such as a theatre-themed photo booth. Then, once 7:30 hits, it's time for the show.

From the lobby, you will migrate up the stairs and into The Bomhard Theatre where an absolutely spectacular performance will take place. From Acting Against Cancer, you'll see songs from SPRING AWAKENING, RENT and NEXT TO NORMAL in addition to a few from shows from the company's upcoming season with THE ADDAMS FAMILY and AMERICAN IDIOT.

And that's just the hosting company; guest organizations will be dazzling the crowd as well. Theatre [502] is bringing a piece from their superbly strange show MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY. Meanwhile, StageOne Family Theatre is staging a preview of their Christmas show, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. CenterStage will tease their upcoming season with "Pinball Wizard" from the first show of their season: THE WHO'S TOMMY. Finally, Pandora Productions will also sample a show to come with various selections from Stephen Sondheim's PASSION, the first show of their upcoming season.

This incredible collection of musical theatre performances will be strung together by the wit and charm of emcee Tom Dunbar, who will also be performing a song all on his own during the concert. Gil Reyes and Gayle King - two Louisville arts powerhouses - will be coming together for the first time to perform Irving Berlin classic duet "Cheek to Cheek."

Following the concert, guests will emerge from the theatre and re-enter the lobby for the Encore, or afterparty. There, the acoustic musicians Tricycle will provide live music as guests enjoy dancing, more drinks and gourmet snowcones from SnoWhat Louisville. It will be a causal and low-key way to end an exceptionally eventful evening.

Tickets for the full experience are $80, and tickets for a more limited experience - the show and afterparty with no access to the open bar - are $45. More information about the event and tickets are available at actingagainstcancer.com or by calling The Kentucky Center at 502.584.7777. All profits from COLLABORACT! will go toward the funding and sustaining of the art therapy program of The Addison Jo Blair Cancer Care Center at Kosair Children's Hospital.

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