Carol Channing to be Honored at Singers Forum Gala; Leslie Uggams to Perform

Singers Forum has announced that Carol Channing will be among the honorees for the foundation's 9th annual Andy Anselmo Achievement Awards. Presented at the Singers Forum's annual benefit gala, the awards honor excellence in the performing arts and commitment to supporting vocal training for disadvantaged and at-risk New York area children and performances for the area's elderly.

The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, May 15, 2006 at The Hudson Theater. There will be performances by past winners, the Singers Forum Youth Chorus, the two Achievement Award winners, and a special performance by Tony Award-winner Leslie Uggams (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hallelujah, Baby!). Included in the evening will be a special tribute to Philip A. Campanella, the school's former Executive Director, who passed away shortly before last year's gala. The tribute will mark the establishment of a new youth scholarship fund in his name.

"We are thrilled to include Ms. Channing and Ms. Albanese among the luminaries who have received this award," said Mr. Priore, "not only because of their commitment to their art, but also because of our shared interest in helping young people further their musical educations."

Channing received a 1964 Tony Award for her iconic performance in Hello, Dolly!, as well as a 1968 Special Tony Award and a 1995 Lifetime Achievement Tony; she was also nominated for her work The Vamp, Show Girl and Lorelei, a revisal of her earlier hit Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She was also seen on Broadway in Lend an Ear and Wonderful Town, and starred in two revivals of Hello, Dolly! Her film and TV credits include "Alice in Wonderland," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. "Just Lucky I Guess: A Memoir of Sorts" is her autobiography.

The full list of awards is as follows:

Carol Channing, – Lifetime Achievement Award
Licia Albanese – Lifetime Achievement Award
Hon. Robert J. Dryfoos -- Benefactor Award, posthumously
John Koprowski – Volunteer Award
Julie Martin, – Volunteer Award
Eric Comstock – Andy Anselmo Achievement Award
Christopher Temporelli – Andy Anselmo Achievement Award

"Singers Forum was founded in 1978 by Andy Anselmo and John Albert Harris to be a training center for the vocal arts. Over the years, the Forum has always been located in the historic Flat Iron District, and recently moved to 49 West 24th Street in Manhattan. Singers Forum has been a classroom to professional performers including Liza Minnelli, John Leguizamo, Brooke Shields, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Stritch and Amanda Green," state press notes.

For tickets and information about the event, contact C. Madden Productions at (212) 725-7139 phone or (212) 725-7149 via fax. Visit www.singersforum.org/awards for more information.