Hugh Panaro, Annaleigh Ashford & Lillias White to Perform at 5th Annual BROADWAY SALUTES, 9/24

On Tuesday, September 24, 2013, The Broadway League and The Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) will present the fifth annual Broadway Salutes, a celebration -- free and open to the public - which honors the countless professionals who have made Broadway great for decades. In this industry-wide event, which will take place at the Times Square Visitor Center (1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets) in the heart of the theatre district, theater professionals will receive special recognition for having worked 25, 35, and 50 years in their respective theatrical craft. The event will begin at 3:30PM with red carpet arrivals, and the public ceremony will begin at 4:00PM.

The fifth annual Broadway Salutes will be hosted by Emmy Award winning actress Holland Taylor (a recent Tony Award nominee for her role in Ann). The program, directed by Marc Bruni (BEAUTIFUL: THE Carole King MUSICAL), will include special recognition to classic musicals - a 25-year inductee, a 35-year inductee, and a 50-year inductee. Performers that afternoon will be Hugh Panaro, singing a number from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (25 years), Tony Award winner Lillias White (THE LIFE) singing from AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (35 years) and Tony Award nominee Annaleigh Ashford (KINKY BOOTS) singing from FUNNY GIRL (50 years).

The Broadway industry contributes 11 billion dollars to NYC's economy, supports an estimated 86,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generates $550 Million in NYC taxes. Broadway Salutes honors a wide-range of theatre professionals - including stagehands, actors, producers, managers, theater owners, press agents, ushers, agents, make-up artists, dressers, designers, directors, choreographers, musicians, casting agents, and more - who have dedicated their careers to the Broadway industry.

"Broadway Salutes is an occasion for our community to acknowledge the hundreds of people who work on Broadway, behind the scenes and on stage. On this day, the artists as well as the crafts people and technicians, artist representatives and a myriad of other persons who are never seen by the audience will be honored for their remarkable talent. The dedication of these hard working individuals supports the industry that brings in billions of dollars to New York City annually and provides countless hours of enjoyment for New Yorkers and tourists alike," says Carl Mulert, Broadway Salutes co-chairperson.

"Every year, Broadway Salutes brings the community together to honor our colleagues for their many years of service to the theatre industry. Broadway jobs are an essential part of New York City's economy, and we are looking forward to recognizing these artists, craftsmen and women, and other professionals who do this work daily. It's about the stories from these individuals who work in the wings of the Broadway theatres, and don't usually get to take a bow. It's a way to say 'thank you' to these fine New Yorkers doing extraordinary work that defines our city," says Florie Seery, Broadway Salutes co-chairperson.

The Broadway Salutes committee is comprised of: Chris Bennett (AEA), Debbie Bisno (Producer), Marc Bruni (Director), Tony DePaulo (IA), Jessica Jenen (Producer), Nick Kaledin (ATPAM), Aaron Lustbader (General Manager), Caitlin McConnell (Local USA 829), ElizaBeth Miller (SDC), Carl Mulert (Local USA 829), Lawrence Paone (Local 751), Laura Penn (SDC), Eva Price (Producer), Paige Price (AEA), Danielle Saks (General Manager), Mark Schweppe (Shubert Organization), Florie Seery (General Manager), John Seid (Local 306), Charlotte St. Martin (The Broadway League), David Turner (General Manager), Pat White (Local 764), Connie Wilkin (General Manager), Charlotte Wilcox (General Manager), and Barbara Wolkoff (SDC).

The Broadway League, founded in 1930, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League's 700-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers who present in nearly 200 markets in North America, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and on tour across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.BroadwayLeague.com, or follow The Broadway League on Twitter @TheBwayLeague or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BroadwayLeague. BROADWAY.ORG is the League's new official on-line headquarters for Broadway in NYC and on tour. Download the free Broadway.org mobile app for iOS or Android, and the free IBDB mobile app for iOS or Android. The Broadway League annually presents the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry, with The American Theatre Wing.

The members of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) have labor contracts or work for or with the Broadway League. COBUG was established to strengthen the position of Unions and Guilds within the industry, to participate in decision making that affects Broadway and the art and craft of theatre at large, and to educate the broader community about the collective role Coalition members play in keeping our industry vibrant and healthy.

For more information, log on to: www.broadwaysalutes.com.