Frontdoors Media — Your Key to the Community
March/April 2023
March/April 2023, page 6
March/April 2023, page 7

BY STEVEN DRUK MAN DIRECTED BY SEAN DANIELS BY STEVEN DRUKMAN DIRECTED BY SEAN DANIELS MIMI KENNEDY GORDON CLAPP PRU PAYNE A WORLD PREMIERE Mimi Kennedy ( Mom, Dharma & Greg, Midnight in Paris ) Gordon Clapp ( NYPD Blue, Emmy winner, Glengarry Glen Ross, Tony Nominee) A REMARKABLE, FUNNY AND EMOTIONAL JOURNEY ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF LOVE AND IDENTITY IN THE FACE OF MEMORY LOSS. RECIPIENT OF THE EDGERTON FOUNDATION NEW PLAY AWARD A R I Z O N A T H E A T R E C O M P A N Y ATC.ORG / 833-ATC-SEAT ATC AT THE HERBERGER 222 E. MONROE ST, PHOENIX SEASON SPONSOR : I . MICHAEL & BETH KASSER SEASON PARTNER : BANNER HEALTH Mimi Kennedy ( Mom, Dharma & Greg, Midnight in Paris ) stars as Prudence “Pru” Payne, an esteemed critic widely recognized as a wit, a scholar, and a public intellectual. But as her memory begins to fade, all her preconceived notions — about herself and, more importantly, others — also slip away. Gordon Clapp ( NYPD Blue, Emmy winner) stars as Pru’s unconventional love interest Gus. INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTION SPONSOR: THE FLATT FAMILY CORPORATE PRODUCTION SPONSOR: SRP CORPORATE PRODUCTION SPONSOR: LAVIDGE CORPORATE SPONSOR: BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD MARCH 30 - APRIL 16 MAY 11 – 28 JUNE 29 – JULY 16 CAN’T LIVE WITH ‘EM, CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ‘EM This hilarious classic comedy starts when an explosive divorced couple and their new spouses inadvertently honeymoon in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. When combustible chemistry reignites, mayhem occurs, and strong passions and stronger personalities take over. CORPORATE PRODUCTION SPONSOR: LAVIDGE INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTION SPONSOR: FRANK DAVIS PRODUCTION SPONSOR: THE RICHARD P. STAHL CHARITABLE FUND When successful Elvis impersonator Casey loses his gig, a drag show moves in and “The King” transforms into an all-out queen with some help from his new friends. With snappy zingers and dance-worthy num- bers, this wildly entertaining story is full of sass and good spirits. A BIG-HEARTED, FIERCE, MUSIC-FILLED COMEDY

Some of the biggest names in music unite to fight cancer The Annual Gateway Celebrity Fight Night is gearing up to deliver a knockout blow to cancer on Saturday, April 1, bringing a powerful lineup of entertainers and celebrities to the Valley for what is guaranteed to be an unforgettable evening. Now in its second year as part of the Gateway for Cancer Research organization, the 2023 Fight Night will be hosted and emceed by 16-time Grammy Award winning producer David Foster, who has served as the event’s charismatic musical director for 22 years. With a Studio 54 theme, the event will deliver an impressive entertainment lineup, including Grammy Award winners Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Thelma Houston, Grammy Award nominee Taylor Dayne, American Idol breakout star Katharine McPhee, and LED- powered dance ensemble Light Balance. These heavy hitters and more surprise artists are uniting for the sake of funding cancer research. While Fight Night’s nearly 30-year legacy is rooted in giving back to charity, its rebirth as part of the Gateway for Cancer Research organization has refocused its aim on a singular opponent: cancer. Thanks to generous underwriting, 100% of all event proceeds directly fund early phase clinical cancer research. These are the types of studies at highest risk of going unfunded, yet they represent a critical step in the discovery of potentially life-saving cancer-fighting drugs, devices and therapies. “These trials are vital to the continuum of cancer research,” said Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, vice chair of Gateway. “However, they’re most at risk of being underfunded, if they’re funded at all, because they’re seen as high risk. But they’re also high reward. They lay the foundation for research that ultimately brings forth new treatments and therapies.” Richard J Stephenson, who serves as Gateway’s chairman, established the organization nearly 30 years ago after his mother, Mary Brown Stephenson, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. “I founded Gateway for Cancer Research for personal reasons, after my mother died unnecessarily because she was denied hopeful treatment options,“ said Mr. Stephenson. “There’s nothing more important or easier to give someone than hope. That’s why Gateway exists. To give patients hope.” Since its inception, Gateway has invested more than $95 million to support over 195 cancer clinical trials. These studies have delivered hope and healing to more than 10,000 cancer patients, altered the standard of care at some of the world’s most trusted health care institutions, and given way to new federally approved cancer treatments and therapies. The Stephensons have positioned the Valley’s most acclaimed fundraising event to fight an enemy that impacts us all in some way. “There are too many of us in the ‘cancer club,’” added Mr. Stephenson. “That’s why events like this are so important. They humanize our battles – our own fights – and remind us that coming together to take on cancer ultimately makes us all stronger.” Stars will shine bright at upcoming Gateway Celebrity Fight Night The 2023 Fight Night is set for Saturday, April 1, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. To learn more, purchase tickets, or donate directly to Gateway for Cancer Research, please visit celebrityfightnight.org. Mr. Richard J Stephenson and Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson Pitbull — Advertisement — David Foster