Purchase Individual Tickets starting at $250 or reserve one of our limited number of VIP tables starting at $2,500 for an exclusive pre-show Chef’s Tasting Menu and best seating for the performance! Click here for package information!
Opening Act is thrilled to present its Annual Benefit Play Reading at New World Stages on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. This one-night only event features some of the biggest stars of stage and screen performing a live play reading of Tracey Scott Wilson’s The Story, directed by Tony Award-winner, Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun). Attended by over 500 urban professionals, arts enthusiasts, and celebrity supporters, this year’s event will feature a Chef’s Tasting Menu for VIP guests and an incredible celebrity performance, all to support empowering and transformative experiences in our most high-need schools.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 3, 2016, 6 PM – 10:30 PM
• 6pm VIP Chef’s Tasting Menu & Wine Pairings
(VIP Table Guests Only)
• 7:15pm Pre-show Reception with Open Wine Bar & Hors D’oeuvres
(Open to All Guests)
• 8pm Student and Celebrity Performance
(Open to All Guests)
• Post-show Champagne and Dessert
(Open to All Guests)
Last year’s Play Reading, also directed by Kenny Leon, featured Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage’s FABULATION with a cast including Tony Award-winners Anika Noni Rose, Tonya Pinkins, LaChanze, and Patina Miller, as well as David Zayas, Anthony Chisholm, Ray Fisher, and Michael Mastro.
Other past Play Reading actors include Uzo Aduba, Cynthia Nixon, John Slattery, Edie Falco, Beau Bridges, Bernadette Peters, and Courtney B. Vance, to name a few.
Click here for photos from prior events! And here for a highlight reel from last year’s event!
Want to be more involved? To join our exciting Host Committee please contact Paul Gutkowski, Development Director, at paul@openingact.org or 917-657-8669.
Special thanks to our Artistic Advisory Board.
and to our event partners
