Annaleigh Ashford, Bill Berloni, Sutton Foster, Joel Grey and More Set for BEST IN SHOWS Benefit Next Month

The second annual BEST IN SHOWS, a star-studded cabaret evening to benefit the Humane Society of New York, will feature Broadway stars including Annaleigh Ashford, Bill Berloni, Christian Borle, Sutton Foster, Joanna Gleason, Debra Monk, Orfeh and Hugh Panaro, on Sunday, November 1 at Feinstein's/ 54 Below.

Oscar and Tony Award-winner Joel Grey will be awarded the first annual Humane Society of New York's Sandy Award, presented to an artist who has shown a fierce commitment, through action and advocacy, to the cause of animal rights.

BEST IN SHOWS will be presented by Dorothy and Bill Berloni, and will have music direction by Seth Rudetsky, who will also host. The cabaret show will begin at 7:00 pm. There will be a post-performance reception with cast members for premium ticket buyers.

BEST IN SHOWS will feature performances by Annaleigh Ashford (Sylvia), Sutton Foster (Violet), Christian Borle (Something Rotten), Joanna Gleason (Into the Woods), Debra Monk (Curtains), Orfeh (Legally Blond), Hugh Panaro (The Phantom of the Opera), with surprise two and four legged guests to be announced.

In a career that was launched in the early 1950's, Joel Grey has created indelible stage roles each decade since. Stage credits include Anything Goes; Wicked; Give Me Your Answer, Do! (Drama Desk nom.); Chicago; The Grand Tour (Tony nom.); Goodtime Charley (Tony nom.); George M! (Tony nom.); Cabaret (Tony Award); Stop the World I Want to Get Off; Half a Sixpence; Come Blow Your Horn. He starred in the original Off Broadway production of Larry Kramer's seminal play, The Normal Heart, in 1986, and co-directed the Tony Award-winning Broadway premiere in 2011. Film credits include Cabaret (Academy Award), Man on a Swing, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Dancer In the Dark, Choke and many more. Recent TV guest appearances include: "Brothers & Sisters," "House," "Private Practice," "Grey's Anatomy," "Nurse Jackie." Joel is also an internationally exhibited photographer with three published monographs to date. He is currently penning his memoir Master of Ceremonies, to be published in early 2016. Joel is the grandfather of Stella and the father of Jennifer and James and a 13-year-old long-haired Chihuahua, Miguelito.

Tony Honoree animal trainer Bill Berloni's animals have starred in some of Broadway, television and Hollywood's biggest shows and movies, starting with the original Sandy in Annie in 1977, to the newest Toto on NBC's "The Wiz Live." Bill and Dorothy Berloni met over twenty years ago and have been rescuing and training animals ever since. Their animals (who are all rescued), their family and the Humane Society of New York have been showcased in the new reality series "From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni" on the Discovery Family Channel. Bill and Dorothy focus their efforts on helping the Humane Society of New York, where Bill is Director of Animal Behavior and Training. Once again, they are bringing their two worlds together - the Humane Society of New York and Broadway - to help raise money for animals in need and recognize people who champion animal welfare.

The Humane Society of New York has been a presence in New York City for over 100 years, caring for animals in need when illness, injury or homelessness strikes. Founded In 1904 to protect the city's horses against abuse, the Society soon expanded to include a free medical clinic and adoption center for cats and dogs. Today the Humane Society of New York's hospital and Vladimir Horowitz and Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center help more than 38,000 animals annually.

BEST IN SHOWS will be held on Sunday, November 1 at Feinstein's/54 Below, 254 West 54th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Doors open at 6 pm; the show begins at 7 pm. All tickets include an open bar and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $125; Premium VIP benefit tickets are $200 and include an after-show Champagne Reception with cast members. Tickets are available online at www.54below.com (after October 9). For further information, visit www.humanesocietyny.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos