Flight Night at the Skylight Fundraiser Features Award-Winning Master Cheesemakers 5/15

The Skylighters, an auxiliary of Milwaukee's Skylight Opera Theatre, presents a new twist on its annual wine tasting fundraising event. "Flight Night at the Skylight: A Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Event" is scheduled for Saturday, May 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Tickets are $35 per person in advance, $45 at the door. Proceeds from the event benefit the Skylight Opera Theatre and its programs. Patrons must be 21 to attend the event.

Flight Night will feature flights of red and white wines selected by the Wine Maniacs of Oconomowoc. Varietals have been handpicked to pair perfectly with award-winning artisanal cheeses, generously donated by Carr Valley Cheese, Sartori Foods, Uplands Cheese and Indulge Wine Bar. Each of the three cheese purveyors boasts numerous industry awards, including first place accolades from the American Cheese Society and World Dairy Expo competitions.

Additionally, there will be a chocolate pairing room in which guests will sample delectable chocolate Chruffles handmade by Milwaukee's Cholive Company. Guests attending Flight Night between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. will receive an exclusive sneak-peek preview into a RENT dress rehearsal, and an opportunity to speak with Stage Director Donna Drake.

Skylight Opera Theatre, nationally acclaimed for vivid productions and adventuresome repertoire ranging from Mozart operas to Gilbert and Sullivan classics to Broadway musicals, performs in the Cabot Theatre, an exquisite 20th century replica of an 18th century European opera house. The Skylight will finish its 2009-10 season with the rock opera sensation, RENT, May 21-June 20, 2010.

To purchase tickets or for more information about "Flight Night at the Skylight," please call the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office at (414) 291-7800.

Skylight Opera Theatre is a nationally recognized producer of the full-spectrum of Music Theatre.

The Skylight is proud to be a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual financial support. Through community support of the United Performing Arts Fund, UPAF Member and Affiliate Groups are able to provide education and outreach to over 400,000 children, provide over 2,000 live performances and reach over 1,000,000 people every year. When everyone supports the arts through UPAF, they help our local economy, improving education and strengthening outreach programs to the disabled and elderly - all while adding culture to their own life. Support of UPAF is critical to UPAF Member Groups' ability to continue to offer exceptional live performances, award-winning education and outreach programming and substantial economic impact to our region. To learn more about UPAF or to donate, go to www.upaf.org.

The Skylight is supported in part by grants from the NEA, Wisconsin Arts Board, the City of Milwaukee Arts Board, and Milwaukee County's CAMPAC. The Skylight is a member of OPERA America; Visit Milwaukee; Historic Third Ward Association; Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin; Theatre Wisconsin; Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee and a cultural partner of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education (ACE) Program. This theater is an equal opportunity employer. Except in plays where race itself is an issue, casting is decided based on ability, not race.

For more information, visit www.skylightopera.com.