The Magical Music of Stephen Schwartz, presented at 6 PM, will celebrate the Academy Award-winning and Tony-nominated composer-lyricist's writing for theatre and film. Calarco will direct.

Vereen, who starred as the Leading Player in Schwarz's Pippin in 1972, also appeared as the Wizard in Schwartz's hit musical Wicked on Broadway. He will be joined by Baldwin (Westport's I Do! I Do!, Finian's Rainbow), Noll (Ragtime) and composer Lippa (The Addams Family, Wild Party).

The concert will also boast Max Von Essen (Xanadu), Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party), Steven Pasquale (Reasons to Be Pretty), Darius de Haas (Children of Eden). Additional artists will be announced shortly.

The gala evening will include cocktails, dinner, a champagne reception and silent auction. In previous seasons Westport celebrated the work of Stephen Sondheim and John Kander and Fred Ebb in star-studded gala concerts.

Schwartz, a five-time Tony nominee for the scores of Pippin, Godspell, Working, Wicked and his lyrics for Rags, has earned Academy Awards for "Pocahontas" and "The Prince of Egypt." He earned three Academy Award nominations for his work on "Enchanted." Schwartz also received Grammy Awards for the recordings of Wicked, Godspell and "Pocahontas."

For tickets, phone (203) 227-5137 ext. 122. Visit WestportPlayhouse.