Kushner, Pendleton & More to Celebrate Eric Bentley at Centennial Concert at The Town Hall, 12/7

This year,legendary playwright, singer, editor and translator and Theatre Hall of Fame inductee Eric Bentley turned 99 years old. In celebration of this milestone and a century of his contributions to the international theatre world, a special one night-only birthday celebration has been announced: "Happy Birthday, Eric Bentley! A Centennial Tribute Concert" will take place on December 7, 2015 at 8:00 PM.

The evening will feature reminiscences, anecdotes and readings from Eric Bentley's classic works by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner; celebrated playwright/actor/director Austin Pendleton; Bill Coco of The Actors Studio; Michael Paller of The American Conservatory Theater; Louise Kerz Hirschfeld, theatre historian and president emeritus of The Al Hirschfeld Foundation; James Shapiro, Edward Mendelson and Phillip Lopate of Columbia University; and Roger Copeland, Professor of Theater and Dance, Oberlin College and Conservatory.

The evening's musical program will feature a recital of Hanns Eisler songs in English versions by Eric Bentley and performed by celebrated soprano Karyn Levitt accompanied by Eric Ostling from their forthcoming CD, "Eric Bentley's Brecht-Eisler Songbook," available from Roven Records starting in January 2016. The celebration will also feature Songs For Mother Courage by Darius Milhaud and Eric Bentley, performed by Karyn Levitt with the Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra conducted by Glen Roven, and dedicated in solidarity with the people of Paris and in memory of the victims of the recent atrocity.

Michael Riedel of The New York Post and the weekly TV chat program "Theatre Talk" will host the evening

"Eric Bentley introduced me to the idea that the passion for theatre could actually involve thought," says Austin Pendleton, "And that thought would not only not work against the passion but would actually deepen it. I think he introduced that idea to a lot of people. Or, if he didn't introduce it to them, he made it richer and more exhilarating. He's irreplaceable."

"Happy Birthday, Eric Bentley! A Centennial Tribute Concert" is presented by Royal Road Productions.