The annual Primary Stages November Night to Remember Gala, a fundraiser benefiting the extensive artistic development programs offered by the company, will be held at the Edison Ballroom (240 west 47th Street, between Broadway & 8th Avenue) on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction begin at 6:30 p.m. Broadway producer David Richenthal (Pulitzer winners The Kentucky Cycle, The Young Man from Atlanta, I am my Own Wife) serves as the Event Chair.
Each year at their annual Gala,
Primary Stages honors an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the American theater. Past honorees include Samuel "Biff" Liff,
Patti LuPone, The Baruch-Routh-Frankel-Viertel Group,
Daryl Roth,
Jack O'Brien,
Julie Harris,
Susan Stroman,
Horton Foote,
Harvey Fierstein,
A.R. Gurney,
John Guare,
Betty Comden and
Adolph Green,
Stephen Sondheim,
Wendy Wasserstein, and
Terrence McNally.
This year's gala will honor the writers, lyricists, and composers who have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Honorary Committee of Pulitzer Prize Winners includes
Edward Albee,
David Auburn,
Michael Cristofer,
Nilo Cruz,
Charles Fuller, Frank Gilroy,
Sheldon Harnick,
Beth Henley,
Tom Kitt,
James Lapine,
Tracy Letts,
David Lindsay-Abaire,
Donald Margulies,
Marsha Norman,
Bruce Norris,
Lynn Nottage,
Robert Schenkkan,
Stephen Sondheim,
Alfred Uhry,
Paula Vogel,
Doug Wright, and
Brian Yorkey.
Founder and Executive Producer,
Casey Childs stated, "For 27 years, we have been dedicated to playwrights and new work. At this event, we honor this group of Pulitzer Prize winning artists who have been at the forefront of new work since the Pulitzer Prize for Drama was first awarded in 1918. It is we who are honored to have this opportunity to celebrate them and their work." (The Pulitzer Prize for Drama committee is not an official sponsor of the event but did provide their approval to the company.)
Gala Chair Mr. Richenthal further stated, "It is possible to count on one hand the number of theatre companies who do consistently high quality, thoughtful, must-see productions in this city over an extended period of time.
Primary Stages has been doing great work continuously for more than a quarter of a century. I am proud to be supportive in any way possible."
Among the confirmed attendees will be many Pulitzer Prize winners, including
Sheldon Harnick,
Beth Henley,
Tracy Letts,
Donald Margulies,
Marsha Norman,
Bruce Norris,
Robert Schenkkan and
Doug Wright.
The evening's entertainment will feature a selection of Pulitzer Prize-winning material including performances by
Sheldon Harnick (Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist for Fiorello!),
Gregg Edelman, and
Billy Porter among others.
Michael Lavine will serve as Musical Director and Pianist.
Funds raised by the annual Gala benefit
Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA), Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group, PrimeTime Reading Series, commissions and workshops, and valuable arts education programs.
The Gala begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and Silent Auction followed by dinner and great entertainment. Ticket and table prices range from $600 - $25,000. For additional information, tickets and sponsorships contact Jessica Comas, Director of Development, at 212-840-9705 or
specialevents@primarystages.org.
Currently on stage at
Primary Stages at
59E59 Theaters is the New York Premiere of the new play, Motherhood Out Loud, written by
Leslie Ayvazian,
Brooke Berman,
David Cale,
Jessica Goldberg,
Beth Henley,
Lameece Issaq,
Claire LaZebnik,
Lisa Loomer,
Michele Lowe,
Marco Pennette,
Theresa Rebeck, Lu
Anne Rice,
Annie Weisman and
Cheryl L. West, conceived by
Susan R. Rose and
Joan Stein, under the direction of
Lisa Peterson. The cast features
Mary Bacon,
Saidah Arrika Ekulona,
Randy Graff and
James Lecesne (through October 29, 2011). The 2011-12 season continues with the World Premiere of the new comedy, Rx, by
Kate Fodor directed by
Ethan McSweeny (January 24, 2012 - March 3, 2012), followed by the New York Premiere of the new play, The Morini Strad, by
Willy Holtzman directed by
Casey Childs (March 20, 2012 - April 28, 2012).
Primary Stages is an Off Broadway theater company dedicated to inspiring, supporting and sharing the art of playwriting. Under the leadership of Founder and Executive Producer
Casey Childs, Artistic Director
Andrew Leynse and Managing Director
Elliot Fox, we operate on the strongly held belief that the future of American theater relies on nurturing individual playwrights and giving them the artistic support needed to create new work.
Primary Stages produces new plays at 59E59 Theaters, where we have been the Resident Theater Company since its inauguration in 2004. Since our founding in 1984, we have produced more than 100 new plays, including Charles Busch's Olive and the Bitter Herbs, A.R. Gurney's Black Tie, Horton Foote's Dividing the Estate (Two 2009 Tony Award nominations); Brooke Berman's Hunting and Gathering (one of New York Magazine's Top Ten Plays of 2008); Terrence McNally's Dedication or the Stuff of Dreams (starring Nathan Lane and Marian Seldes) and The Stendhal Syndrome (featuring Isabella Rossellini and Richard Thomas); Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter's In the Continuum (which went on to tour the U.S., Africa and Scotland); David Ives' All in the Timing; and Conor McPherson's St. Nicholas (which marked the playwright's U.S. debut).
In 2008,
Primary Stages was honored with the
Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work, which encompasses much more than the plays we produce for the stage.
Primary Stages supports playwrights and develops new works through commissions, workshops, readings and our two flagship programs - The Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group and the Marvin and
Anne Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA). Through these programs,
Primary Stages advocates for our artists, helping them make important-and often transformative-connections within the theater community.
Photo Credit: Monica Simoes
