The evening of song features alumni from Lancaster, PA's historic Fulton Opera House, who are gathering to honor the life and artistic legacy of late artistic director Michael Mitchell.
Mitchell, who served as artistic director of the resident Equity company that operates at the Fulton Opera House, lost his battle with cancer in September 2008. Mitchell left the majority of his estate as the lead gift to the endowment in his name.
Sunday at The Beechman with The Fulton, produced by Fulton alumni Chris Crowthers and Stephanie Wilberding, begins at 7 PM. All proceeds benefit the Michael Mitchell Endowment, which supports his legacy of theatre produced at the Fulton Opera House.
Lancaster native and Fulton alumni Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening) leads a cast of performers that includes Rachel Coloff (Lestat, Fiddler On The Roof), Jenna Coker-Jones (Evil Dead: The Musical, Fame on 42nd Street), Christopher Kale Jones (Jersey Boys), Lyndy Franklin (A Chorus Line), Gregg Goodbrod (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Matt Gibson (Gypsy), Michael McGuirk (Play it Cool), Matt Simpkins, Tara Bruno, Jessica Kademenos, Mark Fisher, Steph Wilberding, Julia Osborne, Chris York, Harold Barnard, Nathaniel Shaw, Chris Crowthers, Eric Neher, Eric Ulloa, Michael Strassheim, Nicky Venditti, Gavin Waters, Scott Sussman, Stephanie Lynne-Mason and Danny Gardner.
Mitchell directed more than 150 productions during his career, including the world premieres of the musicalization of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, Cyrano, Treasure and Lightning Rod. Under his ten-year leadership of the Fulton, the theatre commissioned and produced nine world premieres. The 2008-2009 season at the Fulton Opera house includes The Unexpected Guest, The Spitfire Grill, The Foreigner and Les Miserables.
Tickets, priced $10, will be available at the door; there is also a $15 food/drink minimum. Reservations are available by phoning (212) 695-6909. The Laurie Beechman Theater is located within the West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street.
An after party will take place at HK Lounge (405 W. 39th Street) where donations for the Michael Mitchell Endowment will also be accepted.
For information on the Fulton Opera House, visit FultonTheatre.
