The Irish Repertory Theatre in New York has scored quite a coup for its annual gala fundraiser next month – two time Oscar winner Tom Hanks, currently starring in the Broadway megahit Lucky Guy, will act as host of the party.

It’s quite likely that Hanks will have plenty of reason to celebrate not only the Irish Rep but also his debut on the Great White Way. He’s up for a best acting Tony Award the night before, and chances are excellent that he’ll win for his uncanny portrayal as the late, great Irish American newspaper columnist Mike McAlary.

The Irish Rep, now 25 years young, always hosts a great night in June for its friends and supporters. This year’s performance, set for Monday, June 10 at the Broadhurst Theatre, is titled Something Wonderful! The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Among the performers will be Shirley Jones, an Oscar winner and Broadway vet herself who is probably best known as playing Shirley Partridge on the hit seventies series The Partridge Family.

Dinner at Sardi’s follows the performance, and it sounds like a great night is in store! For ticket information visit www.irishrep.org.