### RESERVATIONS DUE FOR BENEFIT BASH
To quote the late, great Frank Loesser, "... Here comes the jackpot question in advance: What are you doing New Year's ... New Year's Eve?" EPAC has a great answer to that question! If you want to ring in the new year with the EPAC family (and support the theater at the same time), don't forget to order your tickets to the New Year's Benefit Bash Friday, Dec. 31, at Lily's on Main. Reservations close on Thursday, Dec. 15, so don’t delay. A ticket for the evening costs $100 (which includes hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m.; a gourmet dinner at 8; live music and dancing from 9:30- 12:30; a midnight ball drop and champagne toast, and a $25 tax-deductible donation to EPAC.) Party-only tickets (for the music and dancing part of the evening) are $25 each.
The evening also includes the drawing for two fantastic raffle prizes. You don't have to attend the Benefit Bash to order tickets for the raffles; tickets are $10 each or $40 for five, and can be bought through the EPAC box office or by visiting the EPAC website: www.ephrataperformingartscenter.com
Raffle prizes are:
*** Dinner for two (at Lily’s on Main) with Broadway, film and television star (and EPAC veteran) Jonathan Groff (of "Spring Awakening," “Glee,” "Deathtrap" and "Taking Woodstock" fame). The prize also includes an overnight stay at the Historic Smithson Inn.
*** Airline Tickets for two to anywhere in the continental United States (courtesy of Zeller Travel).
The Benefit Bash evening also features a silent auction, for which you can bid in advance (once again, you don't have to attend the Bash in order to bid). You can fill out a bidding form here: http://tiny.cc/jrqb1
Items up for auction include a two-night getaway at the historic Landgrove Inn in Vermont; a one-week stay at a guest house in Italy's Tuscany region; a framed, autographed "Wicked" poster; an EPAC redware plate, created and signed by artist (and EPAC veteran) Andrew Loercher, and a handmade brass, gold and white topaz "Grey Gardens" brooch. Visit EPAC's website for more information on these items.
You can order Benefit Bash or raffle tickets online at: http://tiny.cc/7h0j5
### "WILLY WONKA" IS A SWEET TREAT!
I was delighted to take in the opening night of "Willy Wonka: The Musical" Thursday, and I can guarantee a very entertaining evening for kids of all ages! From the adult and child actors to the singing-and-dancing ensemble of young people to the little squirrels and the singing, marching Oompa-Loompas, the cast delivers a lively and enjoyable show. Let Willy Wonka -- author Roald Dahl's creation of "pure imagination" -- take you and your family on a rollicking, musical tour of the craziest chocolate factory you're likely to see. This tasty holiday treat runs through Dec. 19. Call 733-7966 or visit the EPAC website for tickets.
### SANTALAND, REDUX!
If you missed last year's hilarious staged reading of "The Santaland Diaries," don't get your jingle bells in a twist. You have another chance to see this witty piece of dark holiday comedy from the pen of humorist David Sedaris. The play is based on Sedaris' experiences working as a holiday elf at Macy's department store’s Santaland. This performance, part of the EPAC on the Edge series, is set for 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 (preceded by a wine-and-cheese reception at 7 p.m.). Adults only, please! Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Call the box office for tickets.
### 2011 AUDITIONS
A reminder: Auditions for the first half of the 2011 EPAC season ("Of Mice and Men," "13," "Into the Woods," and a staged reading of "The Little Dog Laughed") will be held Thursday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Dec. 19. Click on the "Auditions" menu on the EPAC website for more information.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone in the EPAC family!
-- Merv Wright
