Friday, November 7, 2008

The Academy for New Musical Theatre to hold Holiday Online Auction

The Academy for New Musical Theatre introduces a whole new way to shop for the holidays, and support new musical theatre, with its Holiday Online Auction, which takes place on the Internet at http://www.anmt.cmarket.com.

Bidding begins at 8:00 AM/PST November 28, 2008 and runs through 5:00 PM/PST December 7, 2008.

The Academy has assembled an exciting catalog of auction items, with something for everyone. Musical Theatre fans can win a private conversation with Avenue Q writer, Jeff Marx, or Altar Boyz and 13 Broadway Producer, Ken Davenport, theatre trips to London and New York, as well as theatre tickets to many of Los Angeles' popular venues, like the Ahmanson, Mark Taper Forum, The Pantages, Cabrillo Music Theatre, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and The Broad Theatre - even tickets to Bette Midler Live in Las Vegas. Or win a private performance in your home with the ever-popular husband and wife duo, Alan Chapman and Karen Benjamin.

You can also bid on services like headshot photography, voice lessons, massages, entertainment law consultations, a limousine ride, a personal organizer session - even a makeover with stylist to the stars, Roberto Ramos or a birthday party for twenty-four with the one and only Whirlie the Clown.

For the techies out there, how about an XBOX 360 Arcade, an Archos WiFi 605 or a Slingbox Solo? Comic book collectors will find Batman, X-Men, IronMan, and a number of autographed items by well-known comics inker Steve Mitchell and the legendary Len Wein.

'Not only can you save a bunch of money, like $70 off of $100 theatre tickets,' says the Academy's Executive Director Scott Guy, 'you're helping the future of new musical theatre in America, PLUS you could be saving big on this year's holiday gift shopping. Three reasons to bid on auction items.'

The Academy has acquired some items not available anywhere else. A fifteen-minute private phone conversation with a Broadway producer, for instance, or with a Broadway writer.

'Donors have been very supportive of this auction,' says Ellen Dostal, the auction's producer, 'We're getting some wonderful one-of-a-kind items. It's been a lot of fun putting together the catalog. There's one particular Big Ticket Item I'm hoping to win myself and give to my friends for a present.'

Money raised by the auction will go to help the Academy do what it does best, which is to develop new musicals and new writers. Academy programs include opportunities for writers, lyricists, composers, actors, singers, directors, music directors, and everyone with a love for new musical theatre.

Items are available for viewing right now, before the auction officially opens. Everyone is welcome to browse at http://www.anmt.cmarket.com.

Donations are still being accepted - simply log on to the site and click on the 'Donate Now' button.

For more information about getting involved, contact auction@anmt.org.

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