Jefferson Mays, Heather Ayers and More Set for Hartford Stage's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, 9/27

Hartford Stage presents "A Grand Night for Singing," an evening of cabaret and a fundraising event to benefit Hartford Stage on Thursday, September 27. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m., and a reception follows at 8:45 p.m.

Join Hartford Stage at the Aetna Theatre at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum for a fun-filled musical evening, featuring the composer Steven Lutvak and the cast of the world premiere musical comedy, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, music and lyrics by Lutvak, and directed by Darko Tresnjak. Following the show, meet and mingle with the cast at a champagne and dessert reception.

The international ensemble, veterans of Broadway and London's West End, will perform some of the most popular and beloved show tunes in musical theatre, in addition to premiering a number from A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. The cast includes Connecticut native Jefferson Mays (Tony Award for Broadway's I Am My Own Wife, Encores! Of Thee I Sing); Heather Ayers (Broadway's A Little Night Music and Young Frankenstein); Ken Barnett (Broadway's Wonderful Town and The Green Bird); Rachel Izen (Broadway's Mary Poppins); Chilina Kennedy (Broadway's Jesus Christ Superstar); Lisa O'Hare (My Fair Lady U.S. Tour); KendAl Sparks (The Muny's The Producers and Les Misérables); and Price Waldman (Broadway's The Little Mermaid and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas).

One of New York's top cabaret writers and performers, Lutvak has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Russian Tea Room, and the Hotel Algonguin's Oak Room. His many songwriting credits include the title theme to Paramount's hit film Mad Hot Ballroom. To hear him perform "Sibella" from Gentleman's Guide, visit http://www.hartfordstage.org/gentlemans-guide/.

Tickets to the performance are $75; tickets to the performance and reception, $125. RSVP by September 20 to Kristen Mauro at 860.520.7241 or kmauro@hartfordstage.org. Space is limited.

Hartford Stage, since its founding in 1963, has been known for innovative revivals of classics and the development of important new works, including 65 World or American premieres. Recent work includes Quiara Alegria Hudes'Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Horton Foote'sThe Orphans' Home Cyclewhich had a celebrated run at the Signature Theatre in New York during the 2009-2010 season; a landmark production of Harper Lee'sTo Kill a Mockingbird;the premieres of Michael Kramer'sDivine Rivalry;and Daniel Beaty'sResurrection (later retitledThrough the Night,which had a successful run off-Broadway during the 2010-11 season). In 1998 the theatre launched an unprecedented ten-year retrospective of Tennessee Williams, which included the premiere of three plays. Other new work includes the premieres of Eve Ensler'sNecessary Targets, Edward Albee'sAt Home at the Zoo,Matthew Barber'sEnchanted April(which transferred to Broadway), Matthew Lombardo'sTea at Five, and many others. The theatre has earned numerous distinguished honors, including a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Margo Jones Award, OBIE awards, New York Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. In 2005 Hartford Stage was awarded The Hartford Courant's Tapestry Award recognizing its outstanding work in diversity, and in 2008 it was awarded the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder's Award recognizing its excellence in building community in Greater Hartford. Hartford Stage is currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts.