For the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts’ third annual Star Chefs on Broadway fundraiser, the phrase “over the top” will take on new meaning as the event will be imbued with a 1920s speakeasy theme, complete with high-flying, death-defying circus acts, a multitude of various auctions, excellent food and drink and more.

The Star Chefs approach to fundraising started a few years ago when Benjii Bittle, now deputy executive director of Broadway Center, was new to the organization and came up with the idea.

“This was at a time when the Broadway Center was changing its image. We needed an annual fundraiser with more zest,” said Lacey Leffler, associate director of marketing. “We’d had other events before, such as the annual gala and ‘Rock-tober,’ but we wanted to have a signature event to be associated with Broadway Center.”

The emcee and host will be local actor Kevin Joyce, who worked with Broadway Center on its “Salute to Vaudeville” show last fall, and is a co-founder of Teatro Zinzanni in Seattle. The show is divided up in bits, with musicians playing jazz, dancing, circus shows taking place and more. “The circus portion of the event is two sections: a trapeze act composed of the flying ‘Caribe girls,’ who will literally be dangling in the middle of the tables above people’s heads, and a man from Cirque du Soleil, Cory Tabuni, who is physically unbelievable. There is really something for everybody,” Bittle noted.

The food will be a unique array of local favorites putting out their best for the grand event. “We try to showcase both fabulous restaurants in town that people have been to and recognize and newcomers as well as a kind of mix. We’ve had a partnership for all three years with El Gaucho, and they always do the entree. This year’s meal will be steak and lobster,” Bittle said. New restaurants added to the lineup this year are Brix 25 in Gig Harbor, Maxwell’s Speakeasy, Affairs Chocolate and Dessert and for the first time, a catering company: A Grand Affair Catering.

The same process is used to choose wineries. “L Ecole No. 41 will be there this year, and they’ve had very good ratings. Corvis is a new label but they think it’s fantastic, ” Bittle said.

He takes special care and attention to highlight women in the restaurant and wine business, as they can be the minorities in these arenas at times.

“Because the industries are generally dominated by men, I try to underscore women in the areas every year. Monica Nube from Grand Affair is being highlighted and Hope Moore from Gig Harbor, with her company Heaven’s Cave Winery,” Bittle stated.

The auctions are one of the major ways in which Broadway Center generates funds during this event, and they have quite a variety in the items that will be up for bid in the midst of all the delicious food services. “We call it ‘the best dinner party in town.’ It’s rather a dinner with auctions,” Leffler remarked. The auctions occupy several sections of the day, with the first being a cocktail party environment coupled with a silent auction. There will be a small live auction of upscale wines, and wine bottles that have been signed by celebrities and etched glass. There will be other silent auctions for luxurious gifts, including a spa basket, dinner and an event packages, getaways to Seattle and Ashland, Ore., for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, all of which range from $100-$1,000 in value.

Once visitors enter the 1920s club through the stage door with a password, onstage there will be seating for 300 people. “Here, live auctions will be taking place, which is a unique one-of-a-kind experience,” Leffler affirmed. The first item up for grabs live is a Fleetwood Mac pack, which includes tickets in a press box for the upcoming concert, a stay downtown for the evening and dinner at Pacific Grill, among other amenities. Also up for bid are a week in Paso Robles, Calif., and many experiences that are meals and events. For those with perpetual sweet cravings, there will also be a dessert auction, with some of the restaurant partners providing the treats. El Gaucho will be serving up a baked Alaska, cherries jubilee and bananas foster, in addition to local bakers bringing in supreme desserts. Affairs Chocolate and Dessert is bringing in something for everyone.

The most important aspect of the event is the cause, and it is an excellent one indeed. Proceeds from Star Chefs go toward helping fund performing arts education in the area, and their reach is felt for miles.

“Broadway Center has one of largest performing arts education programs in Western Washington. One of the unique things about us is that we’re a Kennedy Center partner and also operate the Broadway Center Conservatory, which is a performing arts training program. Classes for all ages are held all year round, and we also do adult education outreach, teacher training and graduate training programs,” Leffler noted.

The fundraiser serves 25,000 to 30,000 kids every year, many who would not have the opportunity to experience this training otherwise.

“It’s a huge production, but there’s a profound heart underneath, which allows kids to be inspired and find their sense of self-worth and talent through the programs we offer with our funding,” Bittle noted.

Star Chefs on Broadway will be taking place on May 3 from 5-10 p.m. at the Pantages Theater, located at 901 Broadway. Tickets are $150, and will sell out fast so reserve soon. 1920s attire is recommended. For more information, call (253) 591-5894, or visit www.broadwaycenter.org.