For Immediate Release: February 16, 2005
Media Contact: Tyler Melchior, 1812 Productions, 215.592.9560

Monday, March 28th at 6:30
at The Plough and the Stars
2nd and Chestnut Streets

Just in time for the vernal equinox, 1812 Productions announces its 7th Annual Spring Fundraiser, Eventa du Schmancy, a star-studded cabaret showcasing Philadelphia's greatest performers singing songs that are so unbelievable awful, they can't be anything but instant classics. Eventa du Schmancy explodes on the scene Monday, March 28th at 6:30 at The Plough and the Stars in Old City. There are two levels of support for this fundraising event: $100 a ticket for Dinner Guests and $35 a ticket for Party Crashers. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1812 Productions administrative office at (215) 592-9560.

Featuring Tony Braithwaite, Maureen Torsney-Weir, Josh Lamon, Tony Lawton, Pete Pryor, Ben Dibble, Jeff Coon and the cast of thousands, Eventa du Schmancy promises as much bang as the buck will allow (and since it's a fundraiser, we hope that will mean a whole lot of BANG!) Sure to be heard at Eventa du Schmancy are songs like, the Cher classic, Half Breed, as performed by Jennifer Childs and Susan Riley Stevens and I've Been to Paradise (But I've Never Been to Me) as performed by "The Matinee Lady" Harriett Levy. "Each artist definitely has their favorite bad song. Right now the fight is over who will sing MacArthur Park," says 1812 Productions' Managing Director, Kate Tejada. "Everybody wants that one!"

There is, in addition to raising funds for 1812, a second motive for Eventa du Schmancy. Throughout the evening, 1812 will be honoring our Founding Board President (and all around Fairy God Mother), Terry Graboyes. Terry Graboyes, the founder and President of Graboyes Commercial Window Company, has been with 1812 since the company's inception in 1997 and continues to offer unending support on both personal and professional levels to all the members of 1812's staff. Pete Pryor, 1812's Producing Artistic Director says, "Jen and I first met Terry when we were teaching her son at a summer drama camp. Who could have guessed from that initial meeting that, seven years later, Terry would be the great advocate and friend that she's become. Her business savvy and indomitable personality have been instrumental to the success of 1812 Productions. She is an amazing lady and we, quite literally, could not have done it without her."

As with everything that 1812 Productions does, the main goal is to make sure that the Dinner Guests, as well as the Party Crashers, have an amazing evening. "We are really excited about this distinctly 1812 gala," says 1812's Artistic Director Jennifer Childs. "On the surface it's a pretty traditional fundraiser - dinner, silent auction, cabaret - but it has a definite 1812 twist. The Plough and the Stars is a beautiful space with fabulous food, and the selection of bad songs for the cabaret is hilarious. We have grown so much as a company over the last few years and this event is a chance to celebrate those accomplishments and raise funds while still doing what we do best - making people laugh."

1812 History
Artistic Director Jennifer Childs and Producing Artistic Director Pete Pryor founded 1812 Productions in the spring of 1998 with a goal to entertain and educate audiences through comedy, and to support and hire local artists. 1812 Productions was named the "Theatre Company of the Year 2002-2003" by Philadelphia Weekly. At the close of the 2002-2003 season, 1812 Productions was the recipient of eight nominations and two wins at the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. Most recently, 1812 Productions received three Barrymore Award nominations for its 2003-2004 season. Their education program, 1812 Outreach, has received four consecutive nominations and been awarded once the Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service. In the winter of 2000, 1812 Productions moved to their new home at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street, where they still continue to produce work.

Terry Graboyes is the founder, President, and CEO of Graboyes Commercial Window Company. Her company has designed and installed windows in buildings as modern as the Convention Center Marriot and as historic as LOWES/ PSFS. Graboyes Commercial Window Company is one of the largest woman-owned business in the Philadelphia area. Terry is a member of the following organizations: National Association of Women Business Owners, Apartment Association of Delaware Valley, General Building Contractors Association, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Forum of Executive Women, and the Building Owners and Managers Association. Her community activities involve the following: Society Hill Synagogue, Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, 1812 Productions, The Arden Theatre, and Philadelphia's Fifth Ward Democratic Executive Committee. A native of Philadelphia, she is a graduate of Girls High and received her B. A. from West Chester University. Terry and her son, Noah Herman, live in Center City.

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