Pride Films and Plays annual fall benefit Simply Sensational: Legends will reach new heights this year when Tony Award Winner Donna McKechnie headlines the event on October 20. WGN’s Dean Richards serves again as the emcee, which features a preshow reception at 6 pm, the performance at 7, and a post show champagne toast with Ms. McKechnie.

McKechnie created the role of Cassie in the original production of A Chorus Line, and her breathtaking song and dance number “The Music and the Mirror” are part of American musical theater lore.

A full line up of talent – including performances from many of Chicago’s esteemed musical theaters, along with Spoken Word performer C.C. Carter and Performance Artist Kimberly Dark. There will be a dance from The Chicago Academy for the Arts Repertory Dance Company, Randy Duncan, Artistic Director. You will see excerpts from PFP’s upcoming productions of The Submission by Jeff Talbott and Angry Fags by Topher Payne. And we will be introduced to the first number from the world premiere of Jeff Award winning composer Leo Schwartz’ new musical The Book of Merman, featuring Libby Lane as Ethel Merman, with musical director Robert Ollis on the piano.

VIP Tickets for Simply Sensational are $100 for the center section of Stage 773’s Thrust Stage. For VIP ticket holders, the evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a pre-show cabaret reception featuring an appetizer buffet and cash bar at Cooper’s, 1232 West Belmont. Members of Pride Films and Plays Artistic Ensemble will perform cabaret style songs to provide entertainment during the pre-show.
General Admission side seating is $75. Admission at either the VIP or General Admission level includes one free cocktail from Stage 773’s bar.

The program will be performed at 7 pm in the thrust space of Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont, on Monday, October 20, 2014.

And tickets to a post performance reception with Ms. McKechnie, including post show chocolates and champagne, can be purchase for an additional $25.
There will also be a raffle for terrific fabulous door prizes, including airline tickets, theater tickets, hotel stays, dinners and more.

About Donna McKechnie
Donna McKechnie, the Tony Award winning star of A CHORUS LINE, is regarded internationally as one of Broadway’s foremost dancing and singing leading ladies. Most recently she created the musical staging for a production of Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks starring Leslie Caron at the Laguna Playhouse which has received a rave review from the Los Angeles Times. Donna is also co-starring in a new production called 4 Girls 4 with Maureen McGovern, Andrea McCardle and Faith Prince produced by Wayne Gmitter and John McDaniel.