Clay Aiken, Sharon Lawrence headline N.C. Theatre benefit

“Bringing Broadway Home” celebrates 27 seasons of Broadway in North Carolina by bringing together singers who have performed on the N.C. Theater stage. The event will be held at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

Aiken, a Raleigh native and “American Idol” runner-up, is preparing to release his sixth album, Tried and True, this summer. He starred on Broadway in "Monty Python’s Spamalot.” In 1996, Aiken performed on the N.C. Theatre stage in “Shenandoah” and “1776.”

Lawrence, a four-time Emmy nominated actress, has appeared on several TV shows, including “NYPD Blue, “Desperate Housewives” and “Monk.” In addition to her work on Broadway, Lawrence performed several roles on the N.C. Theatre stage and starred alongside Terrence Mann in the theatre’s first production, “Camelot,” in 1984.

Mann, who is currently starring on Broadway in “The Addams Family,” will also perform in the concert. The Tony-nominated performer has served as an actor, artistic director and director for many N.C. Theatre productions throughout the years. His Broadway career has spanned more than two decades, including roles in “Les Miserables” and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

Also joining the benefit are Lauren Kennedy and Quiana Parler.

Kennedy, a Raleigh native, has starred on Broadway in "Monty Python’s Spamalot,” and appeared in “Sunset Boulevard” with Glenn Close and in “Les Misérables.” Kennedy has been apart of a number of N.C. Theatre productions, most recently starring alongside country music singer Larry Gatlin in “Annie Get Your Gun.”

Parler, an accomplished singer, has performed on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Today Show” and “The Academy of Country Music Awards.” She debuted in 2008 as Effie in N.C. Theatre’s production of “Dreamgirls.”

Tickets range from $50 to $100, with a VIP option of $150 that includes an exclusive, one-hour pre-show reception and complimentary parking.

Tickets are on sale to N.C. Theatre subscribers this week, and go on sale to the general public on April 19. For tickets, call the box office at 919-831-6941, extensions 6943 or 6944.