New York, New York: Off Broadway actor and producer Matt de Rogatis has announced that his non profit theater organization, Ruth Stage, has formed a partnership with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. The two charities have been informally working together since last May on a variety of projects but have only recently finalized a series of fundraising events through early 2022.
“It’s a privilege to be working with the CCF on such a cause and it is my hope that our theater group can help to make a difference.” said de Rogatis, the Ruth Stage Chairman & Creative Director who initially reached out to the foundation to help a friend that was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma. “What started off as a mission to help one person has turned into a call to action to help the countless individuals living with bile duct cancer.”
Although it is considered a rare form of cancer, with approximately 10,000 people diagnosed each year in the United States, the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is growing. A recent study (JAMA Network Open) estimates that by 2040, liver and bile duct cancer will be the third deadliest cancer in the United States. Because of this, raising money for research is an urgent matter, which is something that influenced the partnership between Ruth Stage and CCF.
“The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation greatly appreciates the generosity of Ruth Stage. Like so many others, the company has experienced firsthand the impact of lethal bile duct cancer diagnosed of a loved one. Their support helps further our mission to support patients and render cholangiocarcinoma a treatable disease.” said Laura Hnat, CCF Vice President and Chief Development Officer.
As part of their syndicate, an exclusive gala entitled Theater Saves Lives: An Evening of Hope, will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, October the 26th, 2021. The benefit will be held at Cubico in Soho, New York City located at 433 Broadway in “The Cellar” space. This exclusive event is limited to 100 guests and tickets are available on tier levels ranging from $300 to $800 for individuals and $500 to $1500 for couples.
Attendees can expect a full service open bar with specialty cocktails, a high end, southern inspired pass around dinner, dessert, live music, guest speakers from the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and a charity auction featuring fine art, sports memorabilia and getaway vacation packages. Proceeds will benefit the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and Ruth Stage.
Additionally, de Rogatis and Ruth Stage CEO Joe Rosario are expected to officially announce their January 2022 Off Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in which Rosario will direct. As part of the evening, shortly after the announcement, a behind the scenes, virtuoso cast rehearsal will take place for all in attendance.
Two time Tony nominee Alison Fraser and theater luminary Austin Pendleton will be guests at the gala event. Both will be a part of the rehearsal and the January production. Ruth Stage vice chairman, Spencer Scott, will also be present and announced as part of the cast.
“I am grateful for Ruth Stage and its generous support,” CCF founder, Stacie Lindsey said. “Nonprofit organizations helping each other in ways that make sense to bring awareness to their causes is a win-win situation.”
To purchase tickets to Theater Saves Lives: An Evening of Hope, visit www.ruthstage.org or www.theatersaveslives.eventbrite.com. For additional information and for group discount inquiries please contact info@ruthstage.org. For more information on the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation please visit www.cholangiocarcinoma.org.
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Founded in 2006, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is a global 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by bile duct cancer. CCF supports basic & translational research and raises awareness in the cholangiocarcinoma community through advocacy, education, collaboration, and research. For more information, please visit our website at cholangiocarcinoma.org.
Matt de Rogatis (Chairman & Creative Director/Ruth Stage) Matt de Rogatis is an actor/producer and the Chairman and Creative Director of Ruth Stage; a 501(c) (3) non profit theater organization producing professional works in both New Jersey and New York City. Some of his previous acting/producing credits include “Frederick Clegg” in the Off Broadway premiere of The Collector (59E59 Theaters), acclaimed revivals of Lone Star as “Roy” (The Triad), “Richard III” in Wars of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III (124 Bank Street Theater & Theater for the New City) directed by Austin Pendleton, and most recently, a celebrated Off Broadway revival of The Glass Menagerie in which he portrayed “Tom” (Wild Project). 2022 marks the 40 year anniversary of Ruth Stage.
Alison Fraser is a two- time Tony Award nominee for playing Martha in The Secret Garden (Drama Desk nominee also) and Josefine/Monica in Romance/Romance. Other Broadway roles include Dorine in Tartuffe; Born Again, Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Tessie Tura in Arthur Laurents’ production of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone.She originated the role of Sharon in Aaron Mark’s Squeamish (Off Broadway Alliance Award , Outer Critic’s Circle Award nominee). She was Nancy Reagan and Betty Ford in Michael John LaChiusa’s First Daughter Suite (Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk nominee) at the Public Theater, Mommy in The Sandbox and The Landlady in Funnyhouse of a Negro at The Signature Theatre (director Lilia Neugebauer). Other roles she has created Off-Broadway include Arsinoé in David Ives’ The School For Lies, Sister Marie Walburga in Charles Busch’s The Divine Sister, Jessie in Terrence McNally’s Dedication, or the Stuff of Dreams (opposite Marion Seldes and Nathan Lane),Trina in March of the Falsettos and In Trousers ( also credited with vocal arrangement credits) Miss Drumgoole in Todd Rundgren’s Up Against It, and The Matron in the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ In Masks Outrageous and Austere (opposite Shirley Knight). Film and TV credits include Gotham, Happy! High Maintenance, Law & Order: SVU, Happyish, Smash, It Could Be Worse, Blowtorch, Socks and Bonds,Understudies, Jack in A Box, The Thing About My Folks (opposite Peter Falk and Paul Reiser) and the upcoming The Sound of Silence (opposite Austin Pendleton and Peter Saarsgard, and the upcoming Can’t Let It Go. She has been heard on thousands of radio and television commercials, the Grand Theft Auto franchise, innumerable audiobooks(recent Earphones Award winner for Fierce Poise) and dozens of albums including her three solo cds: Alison Fraser-A New York Romance, Men In My Life, and Tennessee Williams: Words and Music.
Spencer Scott is an actor, director, producer, and acting/playwriting consultant from Long Island, New York. He studied drama at Syracuse University and trained with the legendary Austin Pendleton at HB Studio in New York City. He has performed in many plays such as Romeo & Juliet, The House of Yes, An Inspector Calls, The Boys Next Door, and Ruth Stage’s production of The Glass Menagerie in 2019. In addition to taking on the role of Gooper in Ruth Stage’s upcoming revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof he is also a producer on the show. Some of his other theatre producing credits include, Romeo & Juliet, Dad’s Dates and Other Disturbances (A Collection of Short Plays and Films by Frank Tangredi), and the popular recurring series: Ten Minute Play Soiree presented by The Greenhouse Ensemble.
Austin Pendleton is an actor, director, and playwright. He has acted in about 250 movies and appeared several times in such TV shows as HOMICIDE, OZ, and the different versions of LAW AND ORDER. Onstage in New York he has acted on Broadway (CHOIR BOY, at Manhattan Theatre Club; THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, with Natalie Portman; and as Motel the Tailor in the original cast of Fiddler on the Roof); off-Broadway (Obie winner for THE LAST SWEET DAYS OF ISAAC; ROSMERSHOLM, at Manhattan Theatre Club; UP FROM PARADISE, a musical by Arthur Miller and Stanley Silverman, at Jewish Rep; EDUCATING RITA, with Laurie Metcalf); and off-off Broadway (title roles in KING LEAR, HAMLET, RICHARD THE THIRD, RICHARD THE SECOND; new plays such as CITY GIRLS AND DESPERADOES, DRESS OF FIRE, CONSIDER THE LILIES). As a director he has been represented by the premiere productions of: A THOUSAND PINES, by Matthew Greene; BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, by Stephen Adly Giurgis, which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize; FIFTY WORDS, by Michael Weller, with Elizabeth Marvel and Norbert Leo Butz; Chekhov productions at Classic Stage Company such as THREE SISTERS (for which he won the Obie, and which starred Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, and Jessica Hecht), IVANOV, which starred Ethan Hawke, and UNCLE VANYA, with Mamie Gummer; A LOVELY SUNDAY FOR CREVE COEUR, by Tennessee Williams, with Kristine Nielsen and Annette O’Toole; WARS OF THE ROSES (Shakespeare, at 124 Bank Street Theater & Theater for the New City); HAMLET (also at CSC, with Peter Sarsgaard); THE LITTLE FOXES, on Broadway, with Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton (five Tony nominations, one for direction and three for actors, including Ms. Taylor and Ms. Stapleton).
Joe Rosario is an actor, writer, producer, and director from the New York City area. As an actor he has appeared on The Sopranos, Ed, Law and Order, Sex and the City, Law and Order SVU, Oz, 100 Centre St., Faith and Hope and the original pilot Thunderbox. He has appeared numerous times on The Chappelle Show, The View in various comedic skits and was a re-occurring character on the Late Show with David Letterman. He has also appeared in over 50 commercials. Rosario is also an award winning filmmaker and producer. His award winning films have been official selections in over 20 film festivals, including Cannes film festival, New York International and Barcelona film festivals. His film work includes the feature drama “SNAPSHOT” starring Zach McGowan (Shameless). Joe’s print work includes editorials in over 30 magazines as well as billboard appearances in Russia, Italy and the United States. He is currently developing several TV pilots and screen plays which have won awards at over 20 domestic and international festivals. Rosario is also an accomplished script doctor and acting teacher. Privately, he coaches many actors seen on film and TV. In 2015, Joe directed An Evening of One Acts: The Exhibition & Flowers for Algernon for Ruth Stage. His original stage play, Hemingway and Me, will be produced in June 2022 in New York City.
(via: Ruth Stage)
