Christopher Gattelli, Beth & Allan Williams to be Honored at 2014 NYMF Gala

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced that choreographer Christopher Gattelli, and theatre producer and manager Beth Williams and Allan Williams will be honored at its 2014 Gala to be held on Sunday, November 9th at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan.

Christopher Gattelli, a Tony Award winner for his work on Newsies, choreographed Altar Boyz in the first New York Musical Theatre Festival a decade ago. Altar Boyz went on to a successful Off-Broadway production, with Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award wins for Gattelli who then embarked on a run of Broadway credits including High Fidelity, South Pacific, 13, and Newsies.

Beth Williams (How to Succeed in Business, Million Dollar Quartet, Harry Connick, Jr in Concert on Broadway) and Allan Williams (On The Town, Les Miserables, Kinky Boots), multiple award-winners, were selected for their enduring contributions to the theatre industry and their unwavering commitment to artists creating new work. Beth and Allan have spent decades bringing musical theatre to the widest possible audience around the country and the world. Their respective companies, Grove Entertainment and Foresight Theatrical, develop and produce new work for Broadway and beyond.

"We are thrilled to honor Chris, Beth, and Allan for their contributions to musical theatre," said Executive Director & Producer of The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Dan Markley. "Each of these talented individuals has made their mark on the musical theatre landscape, and continues to be a great champion of new work. We feel honored to have their support."

"It is a privilege to be a part of this evening honoring three exceptional theatre professionals", added Gala Chair, producer Margot Astrachan.

The honorees will be celebrated via performances by Broadway stars and NYMF alumni in an evening of entertainment directed by Stuart Ross (Forever Plaid).

The proceedings will be hosted by Anna Gilligan, entertainment reporter for FOX 5 News. FOX 5 has been a long-time supporter and official media partner of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

For more information on purchasing gala table seats or show tickets, please visit nymf.org/gala.

Each November, NYMF closes its season with a gala celebrating the year's artistic triumphs and honoring an individual or company whose work has contributed to the continued vitality of musical theatre.

Held at the beautiful Edison Ballroom, an historic Times Square landmark, this one of a kind event is attended by some 300 musical theatre enthusiasts, Broadway artists, and leading members of the theatre industry.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction, in which guests are treated to a gourmet meal and a star-studded show dedicated to the evening's honorees, with performances by major artists celebrating their achievements. Following the show, VIP guests join the honorees and artists for an exclusive after-party.

Past NYMF honorees have included Tony Award winner Billy Porter, Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara, Broadway legend Chita Rivera, NBC "Smash" creators Neil Meron & Craig Zadan, Grammy Award-winning Sh-K-Boom Records, NYC television news program NY1 On Stage, Broadway producers Barry & Fran Weissler, Kevin McCollum, and Robyn Goodman.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.