TonyWinner Duncan Sheik Headlines Benefit for Soka University Composer of Best Musical Spring Awakening to Raise Funds for S



6 p.m.

Aliso Viejo, CA September 24, 2007 -- Soka University of America (SUA) today announced that Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and Tony-winning composer Duncan Sheik will be the guest entertainer for SUA's third annual Peace Gala, Celebrating a Vision of Peace. The composer of Spring Awakening, the winner for Best Musical at the 61st Annual Tony Awards, will perform at Soka University on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007 at 6 p.m.

Sheik was nominated in 1998 for the Grammy Award for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" for his hit song "Barely Breathing," and has most recently been recognized for his critically acclaimed 2006 album, "White Limousine." His music library includes pop, musicals and film scores from which he will perform selections along with material from Spring Awakening.

Sheik will be joined by Spring Awakening collaborator, fellow Tony-winner and special guest, Steven Sater. Also, by popular demand, Patrick Duffy, best known for his role as Bobby Ewing on TV's Dallas, will return for the third consecutive year as the Master of Ceremonies.

"We're looking forward to the magic that happens each year when donors and guests interact with the students that benefit from their generosity," said gala co-chair Joan May. "We are so thrilled that Duncan has agreed to join us to help us make 2007 our $1,000,000 year."

Tax-deductible tickets to this Broadway-themed evening of cocktails, silent auction, dinner, live auction, and exciting performances are $300. Proceeds of the evening will provide scholarships for Soka University students who come from around the world to experience Soka's unique educational experience founded upon the principles of peace, human rights and the sanctity of life. SUA founder Daisaku Ikeda said, "The ultimate goal of a Soka education is to foster people of character who continuously strive for the greatest good -- that of peace."

Soka University is open to top students of all races, nationalities and religions. About half of SUA's students have come from the United States and half from more than 30 other countries. Soka University, Aliso Viejo opened in 2001 and was accredited in 2005 by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Soka University has graduated three classes, with students admitted to such prestigious graduate schools as Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine and USC.

Information on attending the gala is available at



TonyWinner Duncan Sheik Headlines Benefit for Soka University Composer of Best Musical Spring Awakening to Raise Funds for S