Academy of the Arts will host A NIGHT OF BROADWAY: Gala and Concert featuring Broadway stars in Naperville, IL at Wentz Concert Hall.
Early-bird pricing ends December 31, 2023. Prices increase after January 1, 2024.
Your gala ticket includes:
- LIVE CONCERT FROM BROADWAY STARS + ORCHESTRA
- OPEN BAR WITH BEER, WINE, & COCKTAILS
- PLATED DINNER
- FREE VALET PARKING
- AFTER PARTY WITH THE CAST & DJ CRAIG D
- SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION ITEMS
Your Night of Broadway:
5:00pm: Doors Open, Cocktail Hour
6:00pm: Plated Dinner
7:00pm: A Night of Broadway Concert
8:30pm: After-Party Reception with DJ Craig D
Dress Code: Black-tie Optional
Valerie Gebert (Conductor) has enjoyed a lengthy career as Music Director/Conductor/Keyboardist with National and International Tours of Broadway musicals including The Lion King, Wicked, Anastasia, Cinderella, Finding Neverland, The Addams Family, Cabaret, Joseph..., Sound of Music, West Side Story, A Chorus Line and Hello, Dolly! She has worked regionally at St. Louis MUNY, Berkley Rep, California Music Theater and University of Michigan’s world-renowned Music Theater Program. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Valerie now makes her home in Chicago.
Kayla Davion
Kayla Davion is an American actor and singer, best known for starring as ‘Tina Turner’ in TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL on Broadway. Most recently, Kayla starred in the American Conservatory Theatre’s production of HIPPEST TRIP: THE SOUL TRAIN MUSICAL. Next up, Kayla will appear in Starz’ hit series POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN.
A prolific stage actor, Kayla performed in Michael R. Jackson’s new musical, WHITE GIRL IN DANGER at the Tony Kiser Theater as well as on Broadway in KING KONG, WAITRESS, and regional productions of BABY, SWING!, OKLAHOMA!, SPAMALOT, and more. In TV and film, Kayla worked as an assistant choreographer for Disney+’s BETTER NATE THAN EVER and appeared in THE GOOD FIGHT on Paramount+. Kayla graduated from Ball State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and is based in New York City.
Erika Henningsen
Erika Henningsen is best-known for her work on Broadway, originating the role of Cady Heron in the 2018 Tony-nominated musical, Mean Girls, for which she received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination. She also won a Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female) for her work. She made her Broadway debut as Fantine in the revival of Les Misérables, and is slated to appear in the upcoming Broadway production of Flying Over Sunset.
Erika starred as Beth in the musical Diner, based on Barry Levinson’s 1982 film of the same name, with music and lyrics by Sheryl Crow. The musical, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, made its world premiere with a sold-out run at the Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C. She remained part of the production and its extended run when it was staged by the Delaware Theatre Company in December 2015.
Other theatre credits include: Hairspray (Penny), Carousel (Carrie), Chicago (Roxie), Show Boat (Kim Ravenal), South Pacific (Nellie), FOUND (Becka), Dear World (Nina), Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Erika has appeared in films such as Interface, Bad Girls, and Wide Awake.
Meecah
Since the age of three years old, Meecah has been performing on stage and in the church constantly sharpening her skills. Under the mentorship of legends like Marc Shaiman, Quentin Earl Darrington, Robert Hartwell, Schele Williams and many others, Meecah's blossoming career has become one to witness. After playing Zindzi Mandela in several workshops of the musical Mandela, Meecah is currently cast on the Philip Tour of Hamilton as their Principal Standby. Her first love however, will always be singing. It is believed to be her “direct gift from God.” Meecah has two EP's on all platforms, and a fan-favorite single that is climbing charts daily. Representation includes: CGF and CLA Partners. Romans 8:38. @Meecah
Samantha Pauly
Broadway: SIX the Musical originated the role of Katherine Howard (Drama Desk Award, Grammy Nominee) West End: Eva Peron in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of Evita (Evening Standard Theatre Award, WhatsOnStage Award, Olivier Nomination) National Tours: Bat Out Of Hell (Valkyrie). Regional: SIX as Katherine Howard (Joseph Jefferson Award); Evita as Eva Peron, Honeymoon in Vegas as Betsy Nolan, Godspell, Seussical (Marriott Theatre), Hairspray as Amber von Tussle, Elf the Musical as Jovie (Paramount Theatre), Beaches as Teen Ceecee (Drury Lane Theatre), Evita as Eva Peron (Westport County Playhouse). TV: “Chicago PD” (NBC). Represented by Stewart Talent and LG Management. @sampauly
