Albee and Hwang to Receive Cherry Lane Legacy Awards at April 3 Gala

On April 3rd, the Cherry Lane Theatre will honor playwrights Edward Albee (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) and David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), renowned theatre lawyer John F. Breglio and Speaker of the New York City Council Christine C. Quinn, with the Cherry Lane Legacy Award as part of its annual Gala.

This star-studded event, which will begin at 6 PM, will be held at the newly renovated Cherry Lane Theatre and will be hosted by two-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey. The Gala will feature special performances and appearances by F. Murray Abraham, Amiri Baraka, Robby Benson, Billy Crudup, Karla DeVito, Dule Hill and many others.

"The theme of this year's Gala is 'ACT II: The New Cherry Lane,' a celebration of the Cherry Lane's pioneering tradition as a leader in cultivating the future of American drama and the grand opening of its new theater for the next generation of theatre artists," according to press notes. The program will feature all-star performances of scenes from the notable Cherry Lane productions, The Pirates of Penzance and Dutchman, plus special surprise performances.

"ACT II" is a full evening of events that also includes a cocktail reception, a post-program dinner and silent and live auctions. "Dining with Celebrities" packages with Michael Patrick King (Producer, "Sex and the City") and legendary singer/actress Kitty Carlisle Hart will be a few of the items to be auctioned. The Gala will serve as a fundraising event that will enable the Cherry Lane "to continue its legacy as a landmark theater and help build a community to support the playwriting process and the future of American drama. "

The Cherry Lane Theatre is located at 38 Commerce Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The schedule for the evening will include a cocktail reception and silent auction at 6:00 p.m., award presentation and performances at 6:45 p.m., dinner at 7:45 p.m. and live auction at 8:30 p.m. For tickets and information, please call the Cherry Lane Theatre at (212) 989-2020 or visit www.cherrylanetheatre.org.