Photo Coverage: Surprise Party for Phil Smith

On Saturday, 29th July at the Laundry Restaurant, East Hampton, close friends, family, and Broadways finest gathered for a surprise party for the president of the Shubert organization, Philip Smith.

Planned by Smith's wife, playwright Tricia Walsh-Smith (Addictions), everyone went to great lengths to keep it a surprise. And it was!  Widely respected in the industry, Smith serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of The league of American Theatres and producers, and on the Tony Awards Administration Committee.  A dedicated humanitarian, he serves as an Executive Board member and Vice President of The Actors Fund and is an active member of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. He is a member of the Knights of Malta, and the recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  During his more than forty years with Shubert his innovations have included computerization of all Shubert box offices, and the development of TeleCharge.com, the industry's most successful system for purchasing tickets.

In attendance were friends such as: James Lipton, James L. Nederlander, Robert Wankel, Joe Benincasa, Robert Nederlander and Jeffrey Seller.

Photos by Rob Rich (of www.nysocialscene.com and www.imagesofsociety.com)

Kedakai Lipton and James Lipton

Phil Smith, Campbell Phillips, Tricia Walsh-Smith

Phil Smith and Pia Lindstrom

Sharon Sondes, Lee Fryd, Tricia Walsh-Smith, Colleen Rein, and Pia Lindstrom

 Phil Smith and Bob Nederlander

Bob Wankel, Cathy Zeiger, and Jeffrey Seller

Tricia Walsh-Smith

Phil Smith, Jimmy Nederlander, and Kristina Nederlander

Jimmy Nederlander

Phil Smith