Jill Larson Hosts Urban Stages' 2013 Gala Tonight

Hosted by two-time Emmy nominee Jill Larson, Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founder/ Artistic Director) and the Urban Stages Board, will honor the tireless work of the Urban Stages' Teaching Artist and their campers as they create the next generation of theatre professionals. Honorees include: Tim Connell, Cordis. Heard, Laura Lindsey, Heather Nielsen , Liz Parker, Meghan Santelli, Kathryn Swanson and J Lyn Thomas, tonight, May 13, 2013 at the historic Central Park Boathouse beginning at 6PM.

For five weeks every year at Urban Stages, theater professionals teach approximately 15 students (10-14 years old) dance, voice, acting, stagecraft, and playwriting at Urban Stages Theatre. At the end of camp, a delightful musical show is created, produced and performed by our campers! Our theatre camp provides a safe summer haven, encourages collaboration, helps students build confidence in all their abilities and grants need-based scholarships for students to attend.

Two-Time Emmy Award Nominee, Ms. Jill Larson is best known for her portrayal of Opal Cortlandt on the ABC daytime drama, "All My Children." After 22 years, she is now reprising that role for "Prospect Park/All My Children", airing on Hulu, iTunes and TOLN. Some of her film and television credits include Shutter Island, White Squall, Were the World Mine, Desperate Housewives, Hallelujah, CSI, Law & Order. She has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway and regionally in theaters across the country. Ms. Larson has been part of the Urban Stages' family for many years: starting with the readings series at the Mercantile Library, acting in a full production, "The Trials and Tribulations of Every Woman in Brooklyn" and as a member of the Theater's board. She is delighted to be participating in what she maintains is the "most-fun-fund-raiser in NYC."

Urban Stages just ended a run of Greg Kalleres' Honky, directed by Luke Harlan. The black comedy was called "Hilarious, irreverent, it keeps you laughing from start to finish." by the NY Times and was extended due to popular demand.

The fund-raiser will celebrate summer with entertainment provided by L & S Entertainment. Boat rides will be enjoyed on the lake. A special dinner with summer treats will be prepared by the Boathouse chef. Harmer Johnson will act as the evening's auctioneer, with items such as trips to Mexico, Telluride, and Japan.

The Urban Stages Benefit Gala will be held tonight, May 13, 2013 at Central Park Boathouse, 6 - 11PM. Tickets are from $370 to $650 for adults. Tickets for those under $35.00 are $160.00. Tickets available on Urban Stages website: www.urbanstages.org. For more information call 212 421-1380. Buy Tickets and Tables at urbanstages.org. ***Junior Tickets Available for supporters 35 years old & under***

URBAN STAGES (Producer) is an award-winning, not-for-profit Off-Broadway Theatre Company founded in 1984 by current Artistic Director Frances Hill. Over the past 29 years, Urban Stages has produced over 80 productions (mostly world premieres) including the world premiere of the award winning musical Langston in Harlem by Kent Gash, Walter Marks with Langston Hughes poetry, this production received a Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress, a John Callaway Award for Best Choreography and four Audelco Awards including Best Musical. The New York Premiere of ReEntry by KJ Sanchez and Emily Ackerman produced in 2010 is currently touring military bases and regional theatres across the country. The world premiere of the Joe Iconis musical ReWrite, Urban Stages' 2011 Musical Legendsand Winter Rhythms 2011 and 2012 music series have garnered several nominations and awards from the prestigious Bistro and MAC Awards. Urban Stages also presented the American Premiere of Oxford Roof Climbers' Rebellion by Stephen Massicotte which transferred to Albany's Capital Repertory Theatre. Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Eisa Davis' Bulrusher (2007), two Drama Desk nominations, an Outer Critic's Circle Award, an Obie nomination, and eight Audelco nominations. Our productions of Men On The Verge Of A Hispanic Breakdown, by Guillermo Reyes, and Minor Demons, by Bruce Graham subsequently moved to commercial theatres.Chili Queen, a play by newscaster Jim Lehrer, transferred to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (1989). The majority of works developed at Urban Stages have had further productions commercially, regionally, and abroad. Numerous projects developed at Urban Stages have been adapted into film and television projects, including Scar, by Murray Mednick, Conversations with the Goddesses, by Agapi Stassinopoulos, and Cotton Mary, by Alexandra Viets. Urban Stages has a consistent history of discovering new writers to the theatre community and introducing their plays into the theatrical repertory.

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