AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Pairs of Tickets to 9/11 Remembrance Concert at Lincoln Center

Any concert at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center is special, but on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 7:00pm, True Concord Voices and Orchestra will perform a special commemorative concert featuring Mozart’s Requiem along with the New York premiere of Stephen Paulus’ Prayers and Remembrances, originally commissioned for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

True Concord Voices & Orchestra draws upon the first rank of professional choral and instrumental musicians from around the United States in service of its artistic mission: to enrich lives through the transformational power of classical music. True Concord seeks to bring together hearts from Tucson with those from New York and around the world through the power of music by two towering and beloved composers.

Tickets start at just $20, but you can use the code DCINY20 to save 20% online, over the phone (212.721.6500) or in person at Lincoln Center (Box Office: 1941 Broadway at 65th Street).

A portion of all ticket proceeds will benefit the FDNY Foundation, a charity which directly supports the men and women of the Fire Department of New York.

All Awesome in New York readers have a special opportunity to win one of 2 pairs of tickets to this concert event. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below and make sure to follow all instructions (only those who comment below telling me about their favorite NYC concert venue will be eligible to win!). The contest runs through Friday 8/21. Good luck!


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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Sway: A Dance Trilogy

I'll admit to not watching Dancing With the Stars religiously since I was in high school, but every now and again I'll catch an episode and am always blown away by the professionals' routines. This June, you will be able to experience ballroom dancing live, on-stage at Dance With Me presents “SWAY:  A Dance Trilogy.”

TV dance personalities including Maksim and Val Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater, Artem Chigvintsev, Henry Byalikov, Jenna Johnson, and Serge Onik will perform with guest stars Olympic gold medalist Meryl Davis and world-class snowboarder Amy Purdy for 3 performances only at the Hammerstein Ballroom (311 W 34th St) on June 5 and 6, 2015.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Meryl Davis

SWAY is divided into three parts, each anchored by one of the stars of the show. You will be whisked through the timeless elegance of ballroom’s golden era, to modern dance fusion of today’s urban youth, climaxing with the heart pounding rhythms of the Latin night club scene. The show also features innovative choreography from two of ballrooms’ emerging standout artists: Joao Tiago Fernandes and David Thomas Moore.

VIP ticket holders will meet the entire cast and mingle with the celebrity performers at the exclusive post-show meet & greet, and Saturday night’s official afterparty.

All tickets can be purchased here.

Good news! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to the Friday June 5th performance at 7:30 pm. To enter, please use the rafflecopter giveaway form below. Be sure to follow all instructions, as those who do not leave the required comment on this blog will be disqualified.


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AWESOME ALERT: Win 2 Very Important Eater Tickets to Harlem Eatup!

Head's up food lovers! I just got an alert for a ticket giveaway for Harlem Eatup! 

This event takes place over May 14-17 and will include chefs like Marcus Samuelsson of The Red Rooster in Harlem as well as Jonathan Barbuto and Ken Oringer. The giveaway is for 2 VIE (Very Important Eater) tickets (valued at $175 each) and includes the following:

• One(1) ticket to The Experience at The Stroll on Sat, May 16, 12pm (access to the tasting tents for unlimited sampling, culinary demonstrations, and food carts, PLUS Meet & Greet photo moments with visiting celebrity chefs and TV personalities)
• One (1) EATS package for Sunday Afternoon In Harlem on Sun, May 17, 12pm (includes ten (10) tickets for food and non-alcoholic beverages only)

Enter here! (Note: this giveaway is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Awesome in New York)

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Concerts at Carnegie Hall

It's been a while since I've hosted a giveaway so it's high time that gets fixed! If you have never been to Carnegie Hall, or even if you have been a hundred times, it is a wonderful place--perhaps the best in the city--to listen to music. Here are a couple concerts you should check out coming up in May with giveaways for both of them!

A HIGH LONESOME BLUEGRASS MASS

Friday, May 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM

Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall

Tickets from $20 (Use code DCG21214 for 50% off!)

Call CarnegieCharge at 212-721-6500 or Visit CarnegieHall.org

Southern hymns and down-home harmonies blend with the traditional instrumental sounds of a bluegrass band to create Come Away to the Skies: A High, Lonesome Mass. This exciting new choral work makes its New York premiere at Carnegie Hall, courtesy of Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International. Composed by Wes Ramsey and Tim Sharp, who'll be on hand to conduct, the piece is set to be accompanied live by the Chuck Nation Band.

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VERDI REQUIEM

Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 8:30 PM

Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall
Tickets from $20

Call CarnegieCharge at 212-721-6500 or Visit CarnegieHall.org

Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem offer the drama of opera and the thrill of wonderful symphonic writing combined with stellar, virtuosic solo moments. The progression of the piece tells the ultimate dramatic story, from profound loss in the subdued key of A minor at the start to sheer terror at what lies ahead on judgment day. Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and the Distinguished Concerts Singers International perform this piece in a unique and larger-than-life rendition rarely seen on the New York Stage!

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 5 Classes to Exceed Physical Culture

Remember how I held a contest with lots of cool prizes to raise money for the National MS Society? Well, the winners have been picked and notified. But SURPRISE! There's one more prize to win!

I've got a 5-class pack up for grabs (valued at $160!)! The classes at Exceed are amazing, small and full of personal attention. What's more, the facilities are squeaky clean and up-to-date. 

Every $5 donation made to my Walk MS page from today through midnight on 4/18 will be entered to win--so if you donate $20, you'll receive 4 entries! Whether or not you were a big winner in the overall raffle (or if you forgot to enter, I won't judge!), here's your second chance!

I'm fast approaching my $3,000 goal and the walk is this Sunday! So spread the word and best of luck!

AWESOME ALERT: Win Prizes from Peloton, Levain Bakery, Uplift Studios and More!

Have you ever wanted to support a worthy cause, work out at a fancy fitness studio for free, and munch on some divine chocolate chip cookies at the same time? If so, I have some fantastic news for you.

For my 12th year of fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in their annual MS Walk, I've organized a contest to try and raise $3,000 for research and programming to benefit those with this terrible, debilitating disease. 

The prizes are valued at over $1,500! For every $10 donation, you will earn one chance to win one of these items:

• 30-class pack to my favorite spin studio in NYC, Peloton Cycle ($650 value!)
• 5-class pack to the Fhitting Room, where you'll get an amazing high intensity workout and personalized attention ($170 value!)
• 5-class pack to the amazing, kick-your-butt in the best way possible Uplift Studios ($160 value!)
• 5-class pack to ((305)) Fitness, the best and most fun dance cardio workout from Miami located in the Village ($149 value!)
• 5-class pack to the Union Square cycling studio with all sorts of theme rides, Revolve ($140 value!)
• One dozen assorted cookies from the place in the world that makes them best, Levain Bakery ($71 value!)
• 2 eyebrow waxes to the place that does them best, Boom Boom Brow Bar ($50 value!)
• 2 2-packs of classes from Throwback Fitness to get your recess on ($35 each!)

To enter, make a donation on my walk page and include how many raffle tickets you would like ($10 per ticket) in the notes section. Be sure to include your full name and email address when donating so that I can contact you if you win. Entries will be accepted through 9am ET on Sunday 4/12. All winners will be contacted by Monday 4/13.

Please spread the word to friends! These prizes are too good not to! And thanks for helping fund vital MS research and programming!

Calling All Danica Patrick Fans!

Big news for NASCAR fans...Danica Patrick is scheduled to appear at the TISSOT new 5th Avenue flagship boutique (666 Fifth Avenue) this Wendesday 10/29 from 1-2pm! Everyone that attends will be entered to win a new watch and have the chance to meet Danica.

Party Like a Lush

Just got news of a new opening of one of my favorite bath and body stores, LUSH. Check them out tomorrow! It seems like there's swag to be had!

Deets:

LUSH Herald Square

44 W. 34th Street

(212)564-0254

RSVP: heraldsquare@lush.com

When: Saturday 10/18 12-5 PM

Phantom of the Opera: Always a Classic

Phantom of the Opera is one of those shows that only gets better with age--and it should know, having been an esteemed presence on Broadway for 26 years! I was recently invited back to see the show (my 4th time!) to check out Norm Lewis, of Scandal fame, as the production's first African American Phantom.

What can I say other than he was fabulous? Seriously. Lewis brought swagger and strength to a role I usually associated with more of a wimpy figure. This was highly noticeable in the most vulnerable moments of the show. Leading lady Sierra Boggess (Christine Daaé) was breathtaking as well, and I highly recommend a trip to the theater to see both of them, even if you've already seen it before. That "Masquerade" scene gets me singing every time!

To celebrate 26 years on Broadway, the show is hosting a contest! To enter to win one of 5 pairs of tickets to the show, you can decorate and submit your own Phantom mask--make it creative because the top 26 masks will be featured in a miniature exhibit hosted at a pop-up shop at the Paramount Hotel and auctioned off to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Enter here through Sunday 8/24 and get your friends to vote through 8/31. Good luck!

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 3 Pairs of Tickets to The Anthem

What do you get when you combine the teachings of Ayn Rand and a synthesizer? Well, a sci-fi musical of course! The new musical The Anthem is based off the capitalist author's novella "Anthem," and tells the story of a revolt of the young against an evil state.

In a world where individuality is illegal, Prometheus abandons everything to confront the State -- controlled by the overlord of evil efficiency, Tiberius. With a forbidden copy of Ayn Rand's ancient tome in hand, 

can Prometheus overthrow the system?

The show opens next week at the Lynn Redgrave Theater at 45 Bleecker. To receive a discount on tickets--$39 from May 20 to May 28 (regularly $60) and $45 from May 30 to July 6 (regularly $64)--click here and use code ANTRRM, call 866.811.4111 and mention code ANTRRM, or show up at the box office at the Lynn Redgrave Theater at 45 Bleecker (box office opens daily 2 hours before performances).

Good news! I'm giving away 3 pairs of tickets to the show! Please use the form below (follow all instructions!) to enter to win by 5/21/14. Best of luck!

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Carnegie Hall Bluegrass Concert

When you think of Carnegie Hall, what kind of music do you think of? Classical? Opera? Bluegrass? Well even if the latter didn't pop into your head, it's certainly about to.

On Sunday June 8, Grammy-Nominated Country Music Artists Dailey and Vincent will be joined by a 200 voice choir for an exhilarating performance of The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass by Carol Barnett, a thrilling work combining the solemnity of a classical choir-based Mass with the distinctly American sound of banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. Dailey and Vincent will also perform a set of their own material from across their vast repertoire while the New York Premiere of John Purifoy’s The Chronicles of Blue and Gray will round out the program.

Tickets start at just $20 and are available via www.carnegiehall.org, CarnegieCharge at 212.247.7800, and the Carnegie Hall Box office at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue.

Good news! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to the show. Be sure to use the form below to enter (following all instructions!) by Friday May 16. A winner will be announced next week. Good luck!

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Under My Skin

Take the dashing CEO of America’s leading healthcare provider, a single mom from Staten Island, and an outrageous twist of fate and you've got the makings of a sexy and outrageous new off-Broadway comedy, Under My Skin.

Kirsten Sanderson directs the new off-Broadway comedy about three things we all want but can’t always get: sex, love and healthcare. Tony and Drama Desk-nominee Kerry Butler (“Xanadu,” “Catch Me If You Can”) and film, TV and stage actor Matt Walton (“Burn After Reading,” “One Life to Live”) star in the play that will leave you in stitches. They are joined by actresses Megan Sikora, Allison Strong, Kate Loprest, Dierdre Friel as well as actors Edward James Hyland and Andrew Polk.

Under My Skin is written by the husband and wife writing team Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser, known for their hit shows “The Nanny,” “Three’s Company,” and “Who’s The Boss?” It’s the uproarious out-of-body experience that brings “he said, she said” to a whole new level and proves a man can’t really understand the opposite sex until he’s walked a mile in someone else’s stilettos.

Good news! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Under My Skin to one lucky reader. Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter to win below and be sure to follow all instructions!

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Tickets are currently available on Telecharge.com or here for students. Under My Skin is currently in previews at the The Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues) and will open May 15.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: Pairs of Tickets to 2 Carnegie Hall Concerts

It's hard to realize how much of a gem both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center are when you walk by them every day and they seem to blend into the general hubbub of Midtown. However, I cannot stress enough how important it is that you go to a concert at either venue if you have never been. Upon entering the majestic theaters, you will feel transported to a time when ladies wore gloves and men wore top hats to the opera and when orchestral music was commonly enjoyed by all.

I would like to highlight 2 upcoming concerts and...SURPRISE...giveaway a pair of tickets to each! Both giveaways will end at midnight on Tuesday April 8th. Make sure to follow the instructions in order to win :)

Vocal Colors: A night of unprecedented vocal technicality and talent
Saturday April 12, 7 pm
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center

Featuring conductors Timothy Powell, Director Davidson Fine Arts School Chorale, Scott Buchanan, Director Indiana State University and Combined Choirs, and Horace Carney, Director Alabama A&M University.

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If you want to purchase tickets on your own, use the code DCIWEB to save 50% when you call CenterCharge at (212) 721-6500 or visit www.lincolncenter.org.

The Drop of Dawn: The Music of Christopher Tin
Sunday April 13, 8:30 pm
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall

Two-time Grammy award-winning composer Christopher Tin once again teams up with DCINY for a night of new music. Both Calling All Dawns and the world premiere of The Drop That Contained The Sea navigate diverse musical terrain with fusions of orchestral and world music, accompanied by 200 voices. “Baba Yetu,” the opening movement of Calling All Dawns, made history as the first piece of music written for a video game to win a Grammy.

Soloists: Mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek ,Indian Classical Vocalist Roopa Mahadevan, Singer Saum Eskandani, and Mongloian pop star Nominjin

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If you want to purchase tickets on your own, use the code DCD18795 to save 30% when you call CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800 or visit www.carnegiehall.org.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to The Bridges of Madison County

Every so often a new musical comes around and completely blows me away. The Bridges of Madison County, a palpable love story based on the book and 1995 movie, is one of those. I was invited to see it last week and became wrapped up in the love triangle of Francesca, her All-American husband Richard, and the "hippie" National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid who whirlwinds into Francesca's life and changes it forever. What would you do if you got a second chance at love?

Songs like "One Second and a Million Miles" and "It All Fades Away" were stuck in my head all weekend; catchy an emotional, but milder and not as sing-song-y as showtunes can often be. Kelli O'Hara (Francesca) is a vision on stage and, especially if you saw her in Nice Work if You Can Get It, is an extremely versatile performer. Steven Pasquale, making is Broadway musical debut, melted my heart a little bit with his rich singing voice, and, oh that hair! The set was simple, yet elegant, and call me weird, made me want to visit rural Iowa.

Good news! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to a Tues-Thurs performance of The Bridges of Madison County now playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 W. 45th St., between Broadway and 8th). The winner will need to redeem his/her tickets for a show before April 3. To enter to win, please use the form below and follow the instructions carefully. If you don't leave the comment requested and subscribe to my blog you cannot be the winner. A winner will be chosen and notified on Friday March 21.

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to The Cripple of Inishmaan

Danielle Radcliffe isn't just Harry Potter anymore. The Londoner is set to star in the West End transfer of The Cripple of Inishmaan, a black comedy set in Ireland about a young "cripple" who vies for a part in a Hollywood documentary being shot in the region. Who knows? He just might get his chance!

The show is written by Martin McDonagh of In Bruges fame. Here is the official Broadway trailer:

Previews begin April 12 for an opening on April 20. Good news! I'm giving away 2 tickets to a lucky reader for a Tuesday-Thursday performance. Enter using the widget below by Friday March 14. Make sure to follow all the rules to avoid being disqualified (I check if you actually commented!). Best of luck!

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: Happy Pancake Day! FREE Nutella!

Today, March 4, is pancake day! Hooray! Our friends at Nutella want you to spread the happy, and we of course want you to spread the awesome, sooooooo check out these awesome ricotta pancakes with Nutella and warm strawberry sauce I whipped up to celebrate my boyfriend and my anniversary this weekend (the heart was his idea--cue the awwwww!).

Here's the recipe:

Ricotta Pancakes with Nutella Hazelnut Spread & Warm Strawberry Sauce

• 1 cup low fat ricotta
• 1/2 cup reduced fat milk (I used almond milk)
• 3 eggs, whites and yolks separated
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• oil spray
• 7 oz. strawberries, hulled & thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp Nutella per pancake

PANCAKES: Put the ricotta, egg yolks and milk into a bowl and mix well. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt and combine until you have a smooth batter. Place the egg whites in a clean bowl and beat until soft peaks form and then gently fold into the ricotta mixture.

Spray a large non-stick pan with oil and drop in 2 tablespoons of batter per pancake. Cook for about one minute until golden and then flip over and cook for another minute. Remove from pan and keep in warm over until ready to serve.

STRAWBERRY SAUCE: Combine the strawberries and sugar in a small saucepan and gently heat for 3-4 minute until syrupy. When ready to serve, spread 2 teaspoons of Nutella onto each pancake and top with the strawberry sauce.

Awesome news! Nutella is giving one special reader 2 jars of Nutella to make your own pancakes, spread over toast, or just eat by the spoonful. To enter, fill out the form below by Thursday 3/6. Make sure to actually leave a comment below telling me your favorite way to use Nutella or you will be disqualified. A winner will be chosen and notified by Friday 3/7. Best of luck!

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Disclosure: I was not compensated by Nutella, but did receive 2 jars of my own to create the pancakes in this post.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to The Realistic Joneses

Living in NYC, we often know a little too much about our neighbors. For instance, I live below an elephant on caffeine and in an old apartment, I knew far too much about the coitus preferences of a couple that lived in the building next door. A new show starring (wait for it!) Academy Award nominee Toni Collette (Muriel’s Wedding, Hostages), Golden Globe winner Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Six Feet Under), Tony Award winner Tracy Letts (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Homeland) and Academy Award Winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, The Wrestler) invites you to delve deeper in the private lives of your neighbors. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Will Eno and directed by Sam Gold, of Fun Home fame, The Realistic Joneses is sure to be a hot ticket on the Spring roster of Broadway shows.

Good news! I'm giving away 2 passes to the invite-only dress rehearsal of The Realistic Joneses on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at 8pm. The winner will see the show before anyone else! Please only enter if you are able to make this date as no other dates are available for this giveaway. Please use the form below to enter by Thursday 2/13. Good luck!


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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: Earrings from Wordstobeadby

Earrings are one of my weaknesses--I can never have enough. So when my friend Lindsay opened her Etsy shop Wordstobeadby, based out of Long Island and the city, I must admit that I spent way too much time oogling her designs and laughing at her witty names for everything (shell pieces shaped into Hot as Shell earrings, I mean come on, that's awesome!).

Lindsay, a lawyer by day, crafts each piece herself using Swarovski crystals, one-of-a kind beads, and vintage charms and ships each item free of charge. All earrings can be converted to clip-on style for those without pierced ears at no extra charge. She also recently started including druzy pendants in her collection, both in delicate bracelets and statement making earrings. Her prices are very reasonable and I'm just deciding which pair I want to buy for myself (Vintage Blue and White St. Tropez or Mint Condition Earrings?...But seriously, how beautiful is the Blue and Gold Druzy Double Strand Wrap Bracelet?).

All of my readers are in luck! Lindsay and Wordstobeadby are giving away a pair of earrings made especially for Awesome in New York! You don't even have to live in NYC to win :) Behold the Holidaze Silver Druzy Earrings made with silver beads and authentic Siam Swarovski crystals.

If you're coveting something (or things!) else in the Wordstobeadby store, please use the discount code AWESOMENY5 for 5% off your total purchase and free shipping through February 15, 2014.

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Disaster!

What do you get when you mix disco and New York City?...Disaster! Well, not literally, but you do get the new Off-Broadway comedy that includes all of your favorite 70's tunes including “Hot Stuff,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “I Am Woman,” “Alone Again, Naturally," “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” “Knock on Wood,” and “Daybreak.”

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away three pairs of tickets to Disaster! You have until Thursday 10/17 at 12 a.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

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CONTEST RESTRICTIONS: Winner will receive a ticket voucher redeemable for two tickets to a performance of his/her choice through November 8th, 2013. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

If you don’t win tickets, you can still see the show at a great deal! Get tickets for $39.50 through November 1 and $49.50 after November 5th (regularly $79.50). Visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code DIRRGEN or call 212-947-8844 and mention code DIRRGEN.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to A Time To Kill

There's something about courtroom dramas that enthrall audiences so much that I've known friends to sit in one place on their couch without moving while watching up to 8 hours of Law and Order, if not more. Judge Judy is a household name, and let's not forget the real life courtroom cases that infiltrate our dinnertime discussions and often (unfortunately) entertain us (I'm looking at you Lindsay Lohan).

So it makes sense that Broadway is hopping on board. A Time to Kill is a new stage adaption of John Grisham's bestselling novel by Tony Award winning playwright Rupert Holmes. The production, directed by Ethan McSweeny, features Sebastian Arcelus, Chike Johnson, Patrick Page, Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, Emmy Award winner Tom Skerritt, Fred Dalton Thompson, John Douglas Thompson, and Ashley Williams and begins performances September 28 at The John Golden Theatre.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to A Time To Kill! Winners will be chosen on or around Wednesday 9/18. You have until Wednesday 9/18 at 12 a.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

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