The Broadway star's appearance helps raise the profile of the Equity company, once a flush-with-money cultural program of Oakland University but now run as an independent troupe that, in recent seasons, has offered small-cast works until they can be more ambitious. The Tony Award-winning star of the original A Chorus Line will perform her cabaret show, Gypsy In My Soul, 8 PM Sept. 15 as a fundraiser for Meadow Brook Theatre, at the theatre in Rochester, MI. McKechnie has roots in nearby Pontiac and Royal Oak, MI.

Tickets are $75 for the performance only and $125 for both the performance and a post-show reception with McKechnie. The event will coincide with the release of McKechnie's new book, "Time Steps, My Musical Comedy Life," due to be released in September.

Featuring celebrated moments of McKechnie's career (including "Music and the Mirror" from A Chorus Line), Gypsy In My Soul "is structured around Donna's gypsy ways on the road and the difficulties of a life spent traveling for your art."

The show features memorable songs by Gershwin, Sondheim, Johnny Mercer and Burt Bacharach among others. McKechnie appeared in Broadway's How to Succeed in Business, Company, Promises and A Chorus Line, all of them groundbreaking works. She also starred in State Fair on Broadway.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Meadow Brook box office at (248) 377-3300 or through Ticketmaster. For more information visit www.mbtheatre.com.