LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - March 30, 2011) - Roastmaster General Jeffrey Ross, recording artist Joy Enriquez, Last Comic Standing winner Felipe Esparza, Crystal Harris (soon-to-be Mrs. Hefner), legendary impressionist Rich Little, Christopher and Kyle Massey, and musical greats Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), Billy Morrison (Billy Idol/Camp Freddy/The Cult), Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver), Donovan Leitch (Camp Freddy/Nancy Boy), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol/Michael Jackson), Franky Perez (Slash/Scars on Broadway) and Grant Fitzpatrick (Darling Stilettos/Cherie Currie) are scheduled to perform on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at The Thalians 55th Anniversary Gala honoring Hugh M. Hefner for a lifetime of philanthropy. The event will be held at The Playboy Mansion and benefit The Thalians and Operation Mend charitable organizations.
The show will be produced by Gilbert Adler (Valkyrie, Superman Returns, Constantine), and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Grammy® Award winner and season 10 "American Idol" producer, is contributing his services as Musical Director. The evening at The Playboy Mansion promises amazing food, silent and live auctions, full-hosted bar and dancing to music by DJ Linney.
"It gives us great pleasure to be among those honoring a true Hollywood icon, Hugh Hefner, for his tireless support and generosity to numerous philanthropic causes," said Kira Reed Lorsch, President of The RHL Group, entertainment reporter and former Playboy TV producer who is chairing the event with her husband, entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert H. Lorsch. "While he has built an empire that has captured the imagination of the world, Hef has never forgotten to give back. We are especially grateful to our honoree on the occasion of his 85th birthday for providing this opportunity to showcase the life-changing programs of The Thalians and Operation Mend."
Over the past 55 years, The Thalians, long led by President Debbie Reynolds and Board Chair Ruta Lee, have raised over $30 million in support of mental health diseases ranging from Autism, Alzheimer's, Bi-Polar Disorder, and Schizophrenia, to Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Addictions. Operation Mend at the UCLA Health System is an innovative program that treats U.S. soldiers and vets severely injured during service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Timothy A. Miller, M.D., Executive Director and Chief Surgeon of Operation Mend, at UCLA will also be recognized for his work healing America's wounded warriors.
For further information on the event and to order tickets, visit www.rhlgroup.com/thalians
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Bobbie Volman
The RHL Group, Inc.
(310) 887-0663, Ext. 7015
bvolman@rhlgroup.com
Michael Selsman
Public Communications Co.
(310) 553-5732
ms@publiccommunications.biz