The Actors Fund announced the complete roster of performers for the 16th annual "Nothing Like A Dame: A Party for Comden and Green." The all-star concert, presented each year as a benefit for the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, set for Monday, November 1, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Laura Pels Theater (111 W. 46th St.).
"Nothing Like A Dame: A Party for Comden and Green" will feature performances from Nancy Anderson, Polly Bergen, Jennifer Barnhart, Charles Busch, Mario Cantone, Victoria Clark, Debbie Gravitte, Larry Grossman, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Marc Kudisch, Aaron Lazar, Rick Lyon, Victoria Mallory, Howard McGillin, Donna McKechnie, Jessica Molaskey, Julia Murney, Phyllis Newman, Nancy Opel, John Pizzarelli, Hal Prince, Lee Roy Reams, Mary Testa and Zakiya Young.
The evening is dedicated to legendary actress Lynn Redgrave, who was a long time trustee and supporter of The Actors Fund and a close colleague and friend of Ms. Newman's . The Special Guest of Honor is Hal Prince, who will speak about his collaboration with the legendary team. The evening is directed by Carl Andress, who recently scored an artistic and critical triumph directing Charles Busch in his new play The Divine Sister. Earlier this year, Andress helmed The Actors Fund's sold-out benefit reading of Valley of the Dolls. Musical director is Larry Yurman with musical staging by Denis Jones.
Phyllis Newman stated: "This will be a knockout show - different from other evening, with many wonderful surprises. We are going to do an original evening, ‘A Party for Comden and Green,' featuring some of the enormous and varied body of work of my husband Adolph and his remarkable partner Betty. This is a crucial time to support the Women's Health Initiative and The Actors Fund," Newman added. "As everyone knows, work is scarce but health problems don't take a hiatus."
"Nothing Like a Dame: A Party for Comden and Green" celebrates the six-decade collaboration of Tony Award-winning and Oscar-nominated writing duo of Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who together produced some of the most beloved and successful Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows of the mid-20th century, including On the Town, Wonderful Town, Do Re Mi, Subways Are for Sleeping, Bells Are Ringing, Hallelujah, Baby!, Applause, Lorelei, On the Twentieth Century and The Will Rogers Follies, as well as screenplays for On the Town, The Band Wagon, Auntie Mame and Singin' in the Rain.
Tickets are priced at $250, $150 and $75. A private post-performance reception with the cast is included for $250 ticket buyer. Sponsorship opportunities are available. To purchase tickets, please email tickets@actorsfund.org or call 212-221-7300 ext. 133.
