The American Theatre Wing Raises $1.2 Million Dollars At 100th Annual Gala
The American Theatre Wing announced today that its Centennial Gala, held last night at Cipriani 42nd Street, was the most successful in the organization’s history, raising over $1.2 million (besting the previous record, which was set in 2016, by more than $400k), with an online Charitybuzz.com auction and a once-in-a-lifetime Prizeo sweepstakes package featuring Neil Patrick Harris continuing through the end of September.
The evening was filmed by theatre streaming service, BroadwayHD, and will be available on BroadwayHD.com for all subscribers beginning early 2018. Additionally, it was announced that Patrick Pacheco has edited and compiled a book documenting the history of the American Theatre Wing. Featuring interviews from 100 theatrical notables, the book will also be released in early 2018.
The funds raised at the Gala will provide vital support for the Wing’s programs, which champion theatrical excellence at every stage and ensure that American Theatre has a dynamic and diverse future.
The sold-out, black-tie event was held at Cipriani 42nd Street and celebrated the power of musical theater in American life over the past 100 years. The evening’s program included a special guest appearance by American Theatre Wing school alum Tony Bennett, and featured 10 songs from 10 musicals that moved the needle for American musical theater, including: Rebecca Luker and Howard McGillin performing “Make Believe” from Show Boat, Natalie Cortez performing “America” from West Side Story, Santino Fontana performing “Try to Remember/Soon It’s Gonna Rain” from The Fantasticks, Laura Osnes performing “A Wonderful Guy” from South Pacific, Brian Stokes Mitchell performing “Being Alive” from Company, Taylor Trensch and a chorus of SpringboardNYC participants performing “La Vie Boheme” from Rent, Norm Lewis performing “The Music of the Night” from The Phantom of the Opera,Beth Malone performing “Telephone Wire” from Fun Home, Heather Headley performing “What I Did For Love” from A Chorus Line, and Evie Dolan joined by the rest of the cast performing “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In” from Hair.
“What an extraordinary evening for the Wing! The outpouring of love and support in honor of our Centennial was incredibly moving, and a powerful reminder of the critical role that live theatre plays in bringing us together and moving us forward as a nation.” said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing. “The fact that it was also the most successful in our history from a fundraising perspective is an amazing bonus, and we will put that money to good use supporting emerging theatre artists and companies across the country.”
Among the glittering attendees were Samuel L. Jackson & LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Lucy Liu, Bobby Cannavale, Alfre Woodard, Julie Taymor, Lea DeLaria, Brandon Victor Dixon, Adam Kantor, Christian Siriano, Emilio Sosa, Senator George Mitchell, David Henry Hwang, Natasha Katz, Baayork Lee, Pia Lindström, William Ivey Long, Derek McLane, Jack Noseworthy, Jack O’Brien, Isabella Rossellini, Ingrid Rossellini, Sergio Trujillo, Lia Vollack, Brad Walsh, and Randi Zuckerberg. Honorary Hosts included David Burtka & Neil Patrick Harris, Julie Chen & Leslie Moonves, Lea DeLaria, Whoopi Goldberg, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson & Samuel L. Jackson. CeCe Black, Nicole Eisenberg, Anki Leeds, Marva A. Smalls, and Nadine Wong served as Gala Chairs.
Neil Patrick Harris and the Wing have partnered with Prizeo to offer the chance for one lucky fan to join Harris on set of his Netflix Original Series “A Series Of Unfortunate Events” in Vancouver, BC, this October. Fans should visit prizeo.com/NPH and make a $10 donation to receive 100 entries for the grand-prize opportunity. Roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations for two are also included in this special sweepstakes, benefitting the American Theatre Wing. Entries are open until Tuesday, September 26th at 3:00pm ET.