Adam Pascal grew up with Idina Menzel, knew her since third grade. So when she got involved in an off-Broadway show that hadn't been able to find a singer with the right voice for the part of Roger, a rock singer who was HIV-positive, she thought of her old friend. And four auditions later, he had the part in Rent, originating the role on Broadway (for which he received a Tony nomination) and in the movie version that followed.

Since then, Pascal has had several other parts on Broadway (Cabaret, Aida, Memphis) while keeping up with his own music. "I grew up in rock bands. Over the years my personal tastes have changed. I was sort of over playing rock music." And he does a lot of performing at galas now while still pursuing Broadway shows.

Now, accompanied by a piano player and a drummer, Pascal will perform as the headliner at the upcoming TUTS' Behind the Mask 2015 Gala, used to raise money for TUTS' Education and Community Engagement programs.

At $1,000 a plate ($7,500 for a table of ten), those in attendance at the black tie dinner, dance and silent auction will have a chance to hear Pascal do the song "Glory" from Rent, as well as "Maria" from West Side Story and "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables. (Pascal says he's campaigning to take over the role of Jean Valjean on Broadway.)

The TUTS' Community and Education programs include the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, offering theater classes to students. Also the River Performing and Visual Arts Center, which is designed to give fine arts education to disabled individuals. In its Classes in the Community program, TUTS brings musical theater into schools, hospitals and social service organizations.

TUTS also presents the Tommy Tune awards, highlighting the best work in musical theater by students at high schools in the Houston area.

For ticket information, contact Elizabeth Weiss at [email protected] or at TUTS.com/GALA or call 713-558-2656.