2011 Tru Love Benefit November 6, 2011

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) will celebrate its 20th year as a not-for-profit service organization with their annual TRU Love Benefit, Connections: Bringing People Together to Create and Experience the Arts. The event will take place on Sunday November 6, 2011 beginning at 12 noon at Caroline’s on Broadway, 1626 Broadway between 49th and 50th Streets, NYC. It will be hosted by the comedy twins, the Stone Brothers, and will include songs from musicals that TRU has helped develop over the years: Orfeh (Legally Blonde, Saturday Night Fever) will recreate her performance from The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Darren Ritchie (Wonderland) will sing a song from Saint Heaven, Lawrence Clayton (Les Miz 25th anniversary, The Civil War, Saturn Returns) will perform a number from the 2010 TRU Voices musical Ocean in a Teacup. There will also be a special performance by Liz Larsen (Tony nominee for The Most Happy Fella, Hairspray, Damn Yankees revival); and Jana Robbins (Gypsy, Tale of the Allergist's Wife) will help pay tribute to TRU friend and advisory board member, the late Randall Wreghitt.

The 2011 recipient of the TRU Spirit of Theater Award, given to a member of the theater community who has demonstrated exceptional generosity of spirit and a willingness to support emerging artists and producers, will be Bruce Lazarus, a producer of Broadway and off-Broadway shows including Say Goodnight Gracie, The Gathering, Only Kidding, Shakespeare’s R&J and Maybe, Baby It’s You . Lazarus is also an entertainment attorney who in his 20 year career has represented such shows as the original productions of Blue Man Group and The Lion King, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Aida in his capacity as head of business and legal affairs for Walt Disney Theatricals.

TRU will also present their annual TRU Humanitarian Award to Ben Cameron on behalf of Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for their invaluable work supporting the arts during this period of economic crisis, and for their commitment to supporting theater as a means of improving the quality of people’s lives. This year’s award for a successful self-producing artist, the TRU Entrepreneur Award, will be given to Lou Rodgers for keeping her company Golden Fleece Ltd. vital for over 36 years, supporting new works of musical theater and commissioning new works nearly every year.

A prominent lineup of industry luminaries lends their names to the event. The Honorary Benefit Committee includes attorney Brooke Barona of Sterling Publishing; Andre Bishop, artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater; Anne Bogart, artistic director of SITI Company; entertainment attorney and general manager Peter Breger, chairman of the Off-Broadway Alliance; Lauren Class Schneider, executive producer of Play On Broadway; Oskar Eustis, artistic director of the Public Theatre; Carl Flanigan, creative producer of Blue Man Group; producer Marty Gasparian; producer and general manager Roger Gindi; advertising executive Bill Hofstetter of hofstetter+partners / agency212; Todd Haimes, artistic director of Roundabout Theatre; Susan Lee of Camp Broadway; producer Barbara Ligeti; producer Dana Matthow; director Eleanor Reissa; marketing consultant and producer Michael Roderick; Tim Sanford, artistic director of Playwrights Horizons; publicist Keith Sherman; and producer Elsa Suisman.

The proceeds from this event directly benefit the programs of Theater Resources Unlimited, a not-for-profit service organization that educates people in the business of the arts, with a focus on producers, emerging theater companies and self-producing artists. Programs include monthly panels, workshops, a Producer Development and Mentorship Program, a new plays and new musicals reading series and a community e-newsletter of jobs, services, resources and theater events. Caroline’s on Broadway, the scene of the last four TRU benefits, will again host.

The afternoon will feature a cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres, a three-course luncheon and an awards show with entertainment. Talent from the Broadway and cabaret stages that have performed at TRU benefits over the past 10 years have included Joanna Gleason (Into the Woods), Melba Moore (Purlie!), Nancy Anderson (Yank!), Fisher Stevens, Jana Robbins, Chuck Cooper (The Life) and Tonya Pinkins (Caroline or Change).

Tickets for the event will be $175 Premium Patron Level reserved seating on the first tier near the stage and $150 for Patron Level reserved seating on the first tier sides and second tier. Non-reserved General Admission tickets may be purchased for $100. Tickets are available through the TRU Store at www.truonline.org/store-new.html.

For inquiries about the event or to request a formal invitation package, email [email protected] or call 212/714-7628. For more information about TRU membership and programs, visit www.truonline.org or call 212-714-7628.

Official Website: http://www.truonline.org