By Town Crier Staff Report

Foothill College has scheduled its second annual midsummer musical benefit gala July 27. Proceeds benefit the Foothill College theater program, student scholarships and other campus needs.

The award-winning Foothill Music Theatre, led by director Jay Manley, will present the song-and-dance extravaganza “On the Town.” Leonard Bernstein’s homage to the Big Apple offers a nostalgic peek at 1940s New York City through the exploits of three World War II sailors during a 24-hour shore leave.

The gala begins with cocktails in the Library Quad at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:20 p.m., and Manley will give a pre-performance talk at 7:20 p.m. The curtain will go up at 8 p.m. in the Smithwick Theater. The gala concludes with a champagne reception on the main stage.

Last year, the event raised $25,000 for the Foothill College fine arts programs. This year, fund-raisers hope to double the proceeds.

“We enjoyed chairing last year’s ‘Showboat’ gala so much that we were eager to organize the second annual event,” said Foothill commissioner and event co-chairwoman Barbara Swenson. Her husband and event co-chairman Bruce Swenson said, “It’s gratifying to watch such an entertaining and worthwhile event grow. And with the talent and creativity of Foothill Music Theatre, it’s like having a bit of Broadway right in Los Altos Hills.”

Gala tickets are $150 each; $2,500 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, call the Foothill-De Anza Foundation at 949-6231. “On the Town” runs July 19 through Aug. 11. For tickets, call 949-7360.