Press Releases

Event: Algonquin Arts Theatre's Annual Gala
Starring Ben Vereen
Date: Thursday, May 19, 2011
Event Location: Algonquin Arts Theatre
Manasquan, NJ
Ticket Prices: $45-$150
Algonquin Arts Box Office:
732-528-9211 www.algonquinarts.org

Algonquin Arts Theatre is set to host its annual gala this year starring Tony Award winner Ben Vereen, on Thursday, May 19, 2011, presented on the Algonquin Arts stage. Patricia Tully Osborn of the Spring Lake School of Dance is the Arts Education Honoree of the evening, and a variety of ticket options are being offered for guests.

$150 tickets include cocktails at 5:00 pm and dinner at 5:30 pm at Remington's Restaurant located at 142 Main Street, across the street from the Theatre. The $150 ticketholders will also receive access to an open bar, entrance to the concert with premiere seating and entrance to the post-concert reception with Mr. Vereen. $75 tickets include two complimentary beverages, entrance to the concert with premiere seating and entrance to the post-concert reception with Mr. Vereen. $45 tickets include entrance to the concert and access to a cash bar.

All guests will have the opportunity to participate in the silent and live auctions. The silent auction will take place at 7:30 pm. The live auction will take place on the Algonquin stage during a portion of the concert. At 8:30 pm, the concert starring Ben Vereen will begin. Mr. Vereen's show is a unique blend of artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and a very special tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. Featuring hit songs such as "Defying Gravity," "My Way," "Mr. Bojangles" and "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries," this concert is a contemporary and timeless journey. Each performance is filled with song and dance, stories of his life, a great deal of humor and always, multiple standing ovations. A Tony Award winner for his renowned performance in Bob Fosse's Pippin, Ben Vereen has gone on to solidify his place among Broadway royalty, with starring roles in such Broadway productions as Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Jelly's Last Jam, Grind, A Christmas Carol and I'm Not Rappaport. He recently starred in the new play Fetch Clay, Make Man, directed by Jersey Boys director Des McAnuff.

Mr. Vereen, a legend of the stage and screen, is best known for his iconic role as Chicken George in the ground-breaking television miniseries Roots. This season, Ben has a recurring role on the television show How I Met Your Mother. Recent television appearances also include Grey's Anatomy (Prism Award), Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and co-starred in the Emmy nominated made-for-TV-movie, An Accidental Friendship, for which he earned a NAACP nomination. In addition to his television work, Ben continues to be the spokesman for the leading pharmaceutical company sanofi-aventis U.S., spearheading a proactive and preventive campaign for those living with diabetes.

Arts Education Honoree Patricia Tully Osborn of the Spring Lake School of Dance, is a gifted dancer and instructor who has been changing the lives of students at the Jersey Shore for over 25 years. As founder of the Spring Lake School of Dance, she has instructed countless students and established a broad-reaching scholarship program to area students. As a dancer, she performed with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes for fifteen years, in addition to performing in the film Annie, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Night of 100 Stars, Super Bowl '88 and alongside many celebrities including Gwen Verdon, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Gregory Hines, and Peter Allen.

Event sponsors to date include: Robert & Linda Daleo, Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman, Dauna Gudaitis of Aculabs, George & Ruth Harms of George Harms Construction, UBS Financial Services, Leslie H. Bird. Carol Doherty of Silpada Jewelry, Gayle and David Donnelly, Doolan's Shore Club, Fran & Jack Drew, Buren Gilpin & Christina Sanes, Hutchins, Farrell, Meyer & Allison, John Newman & Kevin Sarte of Bouquets to Remember, and OceanFirst Bank.

For tickets and more information about this performance, contact the Box Office at 732-528-9211 or by emailing [email protected]. Visit www.algonquinarts.org to learn about other upcoming events. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 12 to 6 pm and Saturday from 12 to 4 pm. Algonquin Arts Theatre is located at 173 Main Street in downtown Manasquan, NJ.

Algonquin Arts Theatre was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization to provide cultural enrichment and educational enhancement of the highest quality for the residents of New Jersey's central region. Algonquin Arts Theatre is handicap accessible. Assisted listening devices are available upon request. Please notify us in advance of your needs by contacting the box office. Programming of Algonquin Arts Theatre is made possible as a result of the continued philanthropic support of private citizens and organizations such as New Jersey State Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, PNC, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Target, The Community Foundation of Monmouth County, The Paul F. Zito, MD Foundation, Manasquan Savings Bank, Woman's Club of Brielle, Janice Blanton, Jules Plangere III, as well as many generous individuals and local businesses. This season is sponsored in remembrance of Marialana and her love for children and the arts.