Photo Flash: UJA-Federation Of NY '09 Excellence in Theater Awards Honors Furman

The evening, hosted by Broadway star, Tovah Feldshuh, treatEd Furman and the audience to special performances by West Side Story's Maria and Tony, Josefina Scaglione (Tony Nominee for Best Performance By a Leading Actress in a Musical) and Matt Cavenaugh; Andrew Lippa, composer of next season's highly anticipated musical The Addams Family; and legendary Broadway singer and actress, Barbara Cook.

Furman, vice chairman of Jefferies & Company and chairman of Jefferies Capital Partners, has been involved with dozens of Broadway musicals and plays, including as co-lead producer of The Color Purple (Tony Award for LaChanze), Fortune's Fool (Tony Awards for Alan Bates and Frank Langella), and Fosse (Tony Award for Best Musical), and co-producer of Spamalot (Tony Award for Best Musical), Gypsy, Legally Blonde, The History Boys (Tony Award for Best Play), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Inherit the Wind. This season, he has co-produced West Side Story, All My Sons, and Impressionism, and next year he will co-lead produce The Addams Family, a new musical based on the iconic Charles Addams characters.

Furman is vice chairman of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, chairman emeritus of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, vice president of the New York City Opera, a trustee of Guild Hall, and former president of The Phoenix Theatre.

The world's largest local philanthropy, UJA-Federation of New York strengthens community and helps 1.4 million people in New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island, as well as 3 million in Israel and 60 other countries. Funds raised by UJA-Federation sustain the activities of more than 100 health, human-service, educational, and community agencies. Every day, these community-based organizations provide a multitude of services that improve and enhance people's lives.

Photo Credit: Michael Priest