TV and stage actor Matthew Morrison will headline the September 9 benefit gala for the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut.

The event will raise money for the classic summer stock theatre where Stephen Sondheim once worked as a summer volunteer, which is getting set to launch its 87th season.

Morrison, who earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance in The Light in the Piazza, has also appeared in the 2008 revival of South Pacific and as Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie in the musical Finding Neverland. But he is even more widely known for his performance as Mr. Schuester, director of a high school glee club, in the FOX musical comedy series Glee, which earned him an Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations,

The gala’s theme, “Moonlight Over Venice,” is a nod to the Playhouse’s planned autumn production of Romeo and Juliet. The gala will begin with a 5:45 PM cocktail party cocktail party, followed by the 7 PM presentation of the Playhouse Leadership Award to longtime trustee Ann Sheffer, and the 7:15 PM performance by Morrison. Dinner will be served at 8:30 PM. A silent auction will be ongoing throughout the evening.

The Honorary Gala Committee includes 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, at $1,000 and $2,500, can be ordered by calling the box office at (203) 571-1138, or by emailing aoconnor@westportplayhouse.org.

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