La Jolla Playhouse’s Innovation Night will pay tribute to the late Duane Roth

– From La Jolla Playhouse reports

La Jolla Playhouse’s Innovation Night (Wednesday, Nov. 20) will honor Duane Roth, the late CEO of CONNECT and co-chair of the Playhouse’s inaugural Innovation Night in 2007.

The sixth annual networking fundraiser will be presented by Qualcomm and hosted by co- chairs Don Rosenberg, EVP and general counsel of Qualcomm; Tim Scott, president of Pharmatek Laboratories; and Ivor Royston, managing partner of Forward Ventures.

“To me, Duane was the go-to man on any issue related to the continued development of San Diego’s preeminence in the high-tech and bio-tech industries,” Royston said. “And so it made sense, in that first year, to ask him to name this event. Without hesitation he said, ‘It’s where technology innovation meets theater innovation — it’s Innovation Night at La Jolla Playhouse.’ With that, Duane established a lasting legacy that celebrates our region’s flourishing culture of innovation in both the sciences and the arts. We are honored to dedicate this night to him.”

Innovation Night brings together leaders from San Diego’s biotech, high- tech and associated industries for an evening of theater at the Playhouse to support new play development, and education and outreach programs.

The Nov. 20 event will begin with a pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance of the Playhouse’s re-imagined musical, “Side Show,” with book and lyrics by Bill Russell, music by Henry Krieger (“Dreamgirls”), and direction by Academy Award-winner Bill Condon (“Twilight” film series).

Based on the true story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, “Side Show” is a portrait of two beautiful, talented sisters on the rise. But as they transform from circus novelties to famed stage stars, the spotlight doesn’t deliver all they had hoped, testing the strength of their unique bond.

For sponsorship information, contact Jill Kelly at (858) 550-1070 , ext. 137 or jkelly@ljp.org. Tickets are $175 at

lajollaplayhouse.org/innovation-night