Photo Coverage: American Theatre Wing Honors Jerry Herman

The American Theatre Wing's annual Spring Gala honoring legendary composer/lyricist Jerry Herman and corporate partner, Visa Inc., for their innovative and artistic accomplishments took place on May 19.Guests in attendence included Patrick Stewart, David Hyde Pierce, Leslie Uggams, Marian Seldes, Faith Prince, Laura Benanti, Cheyenne Jackson, Swoosie Kurtz, Kelli O'Hara, Raúl Esparza, Debbie Gravitte, Kerry Butler, Hannah Waddingham, CeCe and Lee Black, John Beinecke, Geoffrey Bradfield, Roy and Frieda Furman, Sondra Gilman, Doug Leeds, John and Anne Hall, George and Mariana Kaufman, Melissa and Chappy Morris, Liz and Jeff Peek, Daryl Roth, Sir Howard Stringer, Pia Lindstrom, among others.

 
The American Theatre Wing is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League.  The Wing's other activities, dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre, include "Working in the Theatre," now in its 29th year of telecasts on CUNY TV in New York and on other national cable outlets; "Downstage Center," an hour-long weekly interview program on XM Satellite Radio; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants and scholarship program to New York City schools and not-for-profit theatre companies, which has awarded more than $2.5 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; and SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC.  Visitors to www.americantheatrewing.org can view an archive of "Working in the Theatre" and the career guides and listen to "Downstage Center", all as free, on-demand streaming audio and podcast. Sondra Gilman is Chairman of the Board of the American Theatre Wing; Doug Leeds is President of the Board and Howard Sherman is Executive Director.

Photos by Peter James Zielinski