Gifford To Host B'way Event to Benefit Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 10/4

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation today announced television host, actress, singer, playwright, songwriter and author Kathie Lee Gifford will host the second annual Born for Broadway, to be held Monday, October 4th at 8:00 p.m. at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, New York.

Once again featuring the work of director Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Tony nominee, "Ragtime") and musical director Larry Yurman ("Grey Gardens"), Born for Broadway is a one-night celebrity cabaret, featuring both established Broadway performers as well as undiscovered talent. Proceeds will benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Tickets for Born for Broadway 2010 are now on sale through Telecharge (www.telecharge.com) and www.bornforbroadway.com. Ticket prices range from $76.50 to $126.50 with $31.50 tickets available at the box office. Student discounts are also available.

** If you can not attend, you can still donate online! **

The 2010 cast includes Adrian Bailey, Jim Brochu, Brandi Burkhardt, Ben Cook, Christopher Cox, Quentin Earl Darrington, Erin Davie, Malcolm Gets, Josh Grisetti, Jeremiah James, Leigh Anne Larkin, Lesley Gore, Carole Lasser, Jamie LaVerdiere, Eliza Hayes Mayer, Jeff McLean, Kathleen Monteleone, Christiane Noll, Orfeh, Robert Petkoff, Chris Pinnella, Sarah Rosenthal, Kaylie Rubinaccio, Christopher Sieber, Bobby Steggert, Ali Stroker, John Tartaglia, Josh Walden, Noah Weisberg, and Lillias White, all subject to change.

Born for Broadway first began as a student-sponsored musical revue at Marymount Manhattan College, where founder and executive producer Sarah Galli was enrolled as a performance major. Galli started the event as a way to involve the theatre community so beloved by Christopher and Dana Reeve, as well as raising funds for a worthwhile organization. Galli's brother is a high level quadriplegic.

"We are thrilled that Kathie Lee will be joining us for what promises to be an evening of moving performances," said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation. "We are extremely appreciative of our talented and dedicated Broadway friends who are donating their time to raise critical funds to help improve the lives of those living with paralysis."

Though best known for her 15 years on Regis and Kathie Lee (11 Emmy nominations), and currently acting as co-host on the fourth hour of the Today Show with Hoda Kotb, Gifford has always pursued projects which inspire and challenge her. Gifford made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's 'Putting it Together' in 2000, then originated the role of Marta Dunhill in Rupert Holmes' 'Thumbs' and played Miss Hannigan in a record-breaking run of "Annie" at Madison Square Garden. In 2005 her first musical 'Under The Bridge' (book and lyrics) opened off Broadway. She was one of several collaborators (lyrics) to the score of HATS! which had its world premiere in October 2006 in Denver.

"Special thanks to our many friends and sponsors whose generosity of time and resources made Born for Broadway 2010 possible, especially Brad Falchuk and Suzanne Bukinik, and Joe Patane and the Patane Foundation," said Galli. Falchuk is the executive producer of the hit Fox television show "Glee," which features a character with a spinal cord injury. Patane creates ‘Dream Camps' nationally to inspire and encourage challenged teens.

Photo credit: Monica Simoes

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