Joel Grey, Norm Lewis, Andrew Rannells, Original DAMES AT SEA Cast & More to Honor Bernadette Peters at Drama League Gala

The Drama League has announced the roster of special guest performers for its Centennial Gala, celebrating the organization's 100 years of service. Honoring Golden Globe and three-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters, the Centennial Gala will be held on Monday evening, November 2, 2015 at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue) in New York City, and supports The Drama League's educational initiatives for promising young artists. Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-9494 or by visiting http://dramaleague.org/events/gala.

The lineup for the evening's one-of-a-kind musical tribute -- inspired by Ms. Peters' career in theater, film and television - includes legends of Hollywood and Broadway, including hosts Michael Douglas (Wall Street) and Gloria Estefan (On Your Feet); a bevy of Peters' male co-stars, including Joel Grey (George M!), Norm Lewis (A Bed A Chair), Tom Wopat (Annie Get Your Gun), Chip Zien (Into The Woods), John Dossett (Gypsy), and Ron Raines (Follies); the talented Andrew Rannells, Debra Monk, Tammy Blanchard, Mara Davi, Jayne Houdyshell, and more; and a Special Tribute given by members of the original cast of Dames at Sea. Drama League Directors Project alumnus Joe Calarco directs. The Centennial Gala Honoring Bernadette Peters will be produced by Roger Danforth and Trevor Tamashiro.

National Life Group is the proud Centennial Season Sponsor of The Drama League, and will host a VIP pre-event Champagne Toast for Ms. Peters at The Plaza.

The Drama League Centennial Gala Sponsors include Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline of The Drama League; M.A.C. Cosmetics, the Official Makeup Partner of The Drama League; Starbright Floral Design, the Official Florist of The Drama League; and The Plaza.

The Centennial Gala Chairpersons are Anna May Feige and Stan Ponte, with Vice-Chairs Rebecca A. Gillan, Mary Jain, Julie and Rich Meister, Kari Nettles, Joseph and Lauren Pizza, Elaine C. and W. Weldon Wilson, and Nadine Wong. The Centennial Gala Committee includes Leslie Feldman, John Gore/Key Brand Entertainment, Amy Eller, Ellen Fox, Kathy Henderson, Jano Herbosch, Paula Kaminsky Davis, and Ellie and James Johnson.

The Drama League Centennial Gala will raise funds to support the educational training programs of The Drama League Directors Project. The award-winning initiative, which began in 1982 and whose alumni now number over 300, has been instrumental in launching the careers of Tony Award winners Sam Gold (Fun Home), Diane Paulus (Finding Neverland), Pam MacKinnon (China Doll), Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), and John Rando (On The Town); Tony Award nominees Mark Brokaw (Cinderella), Moritz von Steulpnagel (Hand to God) and Alex Timbers (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson); West Hyler (the upcoming Broadway production Cirque du Soleil: Paramour); and OBIE and Emmy winners Rachel Chavkin, Lear deBessonet, R.J. Cutler, and Anne Kaufmann, to name a few. 'Drama League Directors' have been honored with Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Obie, Peabody, Drama Desk, GLAAD, Drama League, New York Drama Critics Circle, Outer Critics, Evening Standard, Lucille Lortel, Bessie, Princess Grace, Garland, Drama-Logue, Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Elliot Norton, and Joseph Jefferson Awards, and have directed films and plays that received Academy Award nominations and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The Drama League of New York, since 1916, has been at the forefront of the American Theatre community, providing talent, audiences, and prosperous support. It is one of the nation's oldest continuously-operating, not-for-profit arts advocacy and education organizations. Through its programs, initiatives and events, The Drama League serves over 3,000 artists and 15,000 audience members each season with over 150 events and programs. More information can be found at www.dramaleague.org.

National Life Group, the Centennial Season Sponsor of The Drama League, doesn't make widgets or cars or computers. We make promises. Our goal, since the chartering of National Life Insurance Company in 1848, has been to work together to create a better financial future for each and every customer through innovative financial solutions and then to deliver on those commitments 10, 20, or 50 years down the road. This commitment is evident in our values which are Do good. Be good. Make good. National Life Group is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest (LSW), Addison, TX and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. LSW is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York.

For questions, or to reserve tickets, please call (212) 244-9494 ext. 101 or e-mail theleague@dramaleague.org.