Limelight Theatre presents
Cirque du Cabaret

by Tina Kcklighter
(Jacksonville, FL)

St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre presents Cirque du Cabaret, its eighth annual Celebrity Cabaret fundraiser, on Nov. 18, 19, 20 and 21, 2009 at 11 Old Mission Ave. in St. Augustine.

More than 60 area prominent personalities will take the stage and lip sync in full costume to creatively-choreographed numbers. Rehearsals are currently underway for this highly-anticipated event that has sold out every year since its inception.

“The theme is based on Cirque du Soleil and we are putting together a great lineup of acts with an elegant, creative and exotic flair,” said Linda Mignon, chairperson of the event. The show’s director is Beth Lambert, who is assisting with choreography, and assistant director is Rich Curran-Kelley. Choreographers include Lynette Wadsworth, Jennifer Dournaux and Patsy Butler. The featured acts will be based on circus-themed songs.

Prominent local attorney George McClure returns to emcee along with newcomer Patrick Canan of Canan Law Group. The celebrity lineup, which features area business leaders, artists, politicians, educators, physicians and community activists, will be announced in the next few weeks.

The event is Limelight’s biggest annual fundraiser. Ticket sales from the theatre’s regular season account for 60 percent of the organization’s operating budget, with the remaining funds coming from private and corporate donations, grants and fundraisers.

The ticket price also includes a pre-show cocktail party in a circus tent outside the theatre with heavy hors d’oeuvres by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and an open bar (which remains open throughout the evening.) Dessert and coffee will be served at intermission and the celebrity entertainers will mingle with guests at a post-show party.

Tickets for a 50-50 drawing will be sold throughout the evening with half of the money collected going to the theatre and half to the winner. In addition, there will be numerous prize giveaways throughout the event.

Tickets for the Limelight Theatre’s Cirque du Cabaret are $85 per person. The pre-show cocktail party gets underway at 7 p.m. followed by the performances at 8 p.m. For tickets or more information, call (904) 825-1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org.