The American Theatre Wing has announced performers for their annual Gala, honoring the legacy of actor, director, and activist Antoinette “Tony” Perry alongside the past, present, and future women of the theatre.
After a two-year hiatus, this in-person event will feature an unforgettable line-up of intergenerational performances including: Kate Baldwin, The Broadway Boys, Gretchen Cryer, Amber Gray, Aisha de Haas, Luna, Charlotte Maltby, Bonnie MillIgan, Leilani Patao, Caesar Samayoa, Jeanine Tesori, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Sherz Aletaha, and Rona Siddiqui. The Gala will be held on Monday, September 12, 2022 at Cipriani 42nd Street (110 East 42nd Street).
Honorary chairs include Lynn Ahrens, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Dede Ayite, Lileana Blain-Cruz, Camille A. Brown, Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Linda Cho, Diana DiMenna, Sonia Friedman, John Gore, Maria Manuela Goyanes, Rachel Hauck, Palmer Hefferan, Susan Hilferty, JoAnn M. Hunter, Alia Jones-Harvey, Amy Jacobs, Toni-Leslie James, Erica Jensen, Cookie Jordan, Natasha Katz, Lorin Latarro, Mimi Lien, Kathleen Marshall, Cricket S. Myers, Shakina Nayfack, James L. Nederlander, Nick Scandalios, Cynthia Nixon, Lynn Nottage, Jordan Roth, Tara Rubin, Catherine Schreiber, Christine Schwarzman, Leigh Silverman, Cherie B. Tay, Jeanine Tesori, Liesl Tommy, Bob Wankel, Donyale Werle, Tamilla Woodard, and Paloma Young. Pam Barbey, Robyn Coles, Meg Fofonoff, Elaine Wilson and Nadine Wong will serve as Gala Chairs.
Antoinette Perry devoted her life to the theatre community. Starting out as an actor, she later became a stage director at a time when it was nearly unheard of for a woman to hold that position. Beyond her artistic accomplishments, she was tireless in her efforts as an activist, organizer, and promoter of causes that benefited and uplifted her Broadway “family.” She served as an officer for the American Theatre Wing and spearheaded many of the Wing’s wartime efforts. Passionate about bringing more people into the theatre industry, she also helped establish the American Theatre Wing Professional School, which launched the careers of Tony Bennett, Bob Fosse, Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones, and other entertainment icons. Upon her death, the American Theatre Wing immortalized her legacy by creating the annual “Tony Awards” ceremony.
Carrying forward Antoinette’s legacy of educating the next generation of theatre artists, the American Theatre Wing’s Annual Gala aims to raise over $1.2 million for programs including the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, the Jonathan Larson Grants, Springboard to Design, and The Network for Emerging Leaders in the Theatre, all of which open doors for the next generation of arts workers - on stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience.
The evening includes cocktails, dinner, and performances. For tickets and more information, please contact Laura Talbot by calling 212.765.0606 x201 or emailing gala@americantheatrewing.org.