Connecticut theatre fans disappointed that Matthew Morrison withdrew as headliner of the September 9 Westport Country Playhouse gala are going to get a nice consolation prize: Hamilton star and Tony Award nominee Jonathan Groff.

Tony nominee Morrison, whose Broadway appearances include Finding Neverland and The Light in the Piazza, was forced to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict. Groff has been nominated twice for Tony Awards in Spring Awakening (as Melchior Gabor) and Hamilton (as King George). Both actors were featured on Fox's Glee.

Morrison recently announced that he will be returning to ABC's Grey's Anatomy, while Groff stars on David Fincher's new Netflix series Mindhunter, premiering October 13.

With the theme “Moonlight Over Venice,” the gala will get underway at 5:45 PM, and will include a 7:15 performance by Groff. A silent auction will be ongoing throughout the evening.

Honorary Gala Committee members include stage stars Maureen Anderman, Frank Converse, Mia Dillon, Keir Dullea, Jill Eikenberry, Daniel Gerroll, Joanna Gleason, James Earl Jones, Patricia Kalember, James Naughton, Kelli O’Hara, Christopher, and Elaine Plummer, Chris Sarandon, and Michael Tucker.

Tickets to the event range from $250 (performance only) to $2,500 (includes red carpet welcome, silent auction and cocktail party with special guests, highest priority seating at performance, and a post-performance dinner with the artists). Click here for a complete list of ticket packages. Proceeds from the fundraising event will benefit the non-profit, professional playhouse now in its 87th season—its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community.

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