Photo Coverage: Stephen Sondheim Awards Gala Reception
By: Walter McBride Apr. 14, 2010
Angela Lansbury, the great star of stage, film, and television, was honored April 12 with the first annual Stephen Sondheim Award, given by Virginia's Signature Theatre at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy. The Sondheim Award, established by Signature last year in the name of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, was presented to the actress by Mr. Sondheim himself.
The presentation followed a dinner and tribute performance to Ms. Lansbury by Broadway stars Victor Garber, Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, and Washington favorite Sherri L. Edelen, staged by Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, co-founder of Signature Theatre. Signature, the 2009 recipient of the Tony Award® for Regional Theatre, is internationally renowned for its productions of Sondheim works.
More than 350 guests attended the black-tie dinner and tribute raising $350,000 in support of artistic, education, and outreach programs of Signature Theatre. The Gala exceeded the company's goal and is the most successful fundraising gala in the Theatre's history. The Gala was chaired by C. Daniel and Juliann Clemente with Honorary Hosts actors Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bernadette Peters, and Michael Cerveris; philanthropists Helen Henderson and Ted and Mary Jo Shen; political leaders Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi, Virginia Senator Jim Webb and Mrs. Webb, and Virginia Congressman James Moran and LuAnn Bennett; and Platinum Level Sponsors Bonnie and Kenneth Feld.
In 2009 Signature Theatre inaugurated The Stephen Sondheim Award in recognition of the importance of Sondheim's work to Signature and to theater in general. The Award is given on a yearly basis to an individual for his or her career contributions to interpreting, supporting, and collaborating on Stephen Sondheim's music works. Signature has produced 18 productions of the works of Stephen Sondheim, more than any other theater in the United States. In 2002, Signature's Eric Schaeffer was the Artistic Director of "The Sondheim Celebration" at the Kennedy Center. In the 2010-11 season, he will direct Side by Side by Sondheim at Signature and Follies at the Kennedy Center.
Recipient of the 2009 Regional Theater Tony Award®, Signature Theatre is a non-profit professional theater company dedicated to producing contemporary musicals and plays, reinventing classic musicals, and developing new work. Under the leadership of co-founder and Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland, Signature has presented 27 world premiere productions and is renowned for combining Broadway-quality productions with intimate playing spaces. In addition to the finest talent from the DC metropolitan area and New York, Signature has been a home to such theater luminaries as John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cameron Mackintosh, Terrence McNally, and of course, Stephen Sondheim. Since its founding in 1989, Signature has been nominated for 284 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in the professional theater and has been honored with 70 Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding Musical in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009, and Outstanding Play in 1999.
Signature Theatre is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary with a season consisting of productions of Dirty Blonde, Show Boat, I Am My Own Wife, Sweeney Todd, [title of show], and the world premieres of Sycamore Trees and "First You Dream": The Music of Kander & Ebb,
Jazz Trio
Jazz Trio
Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley
Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley
Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley
Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley and Victor Garber
Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley and Victor Garber
Patrick Thomas Cragin, Eric Schaeffer, Rainer Andreesen, Marin Mazzie & Victor Garber
Jason Danieley & Eric Schaeffer
Lansbury & Sondheim Motorcade
Richard Thomas and Wife Georginia Thomas
Victor Garber and Rainer Andreesen
Victor Garber and Rainer Andreesen
Eric Schaeffer, Angela Lansbury, Marin Mazzie, Victor Garber
Eric Schaeffer and Angela Lansbury
Patrick Thomas Cragin
Patrick Thomas Cragin and Angela Lansbury
Patrick Thomas Cragin
Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim
Marin Mazzie & Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury, Marin Mazzie & Victor Garber
Angela Lansbury, Marin Mazzie & Victor Garber
Jason Danieley, Angela Lansbury, Stephen Sondheim, Marin Mazzie & Victor Garber
Jason Danieley, Angela Lansbury, Stephen Sondheim, Marin Mazzie & Victor Garber
Eric Schaeffer, Jason Danieley, Angela Lansbury,Marin Mazzie & Victor Garber, Stephen Sondheim
Sherri L. Edelen, Eric Schaeffer, Jason Danieley, Angela Lansbury,Marin Mazzie & Victor Garber, Stephen Sondheim
Marin Mazzie & Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury & Congressman James Moran
Angela Lansbury & Congressman James Moran
Congressman James Moran
Congressman James Moran
Congressman James Moran and Wife LuAnn Bennett
Stephen Sondheim & Eric Schaeffer
Stephen Sondheim with Signature Theatre Subscription member George Schubert
Angela Lansbury with Signature Theatre Subscription member George Schubert
Angela Lansbury with Signature Theatre Subscription member George Schubert
Angela Lansbury with Signature Theatre Subscription member George Schubert
Stephen Sondheim & Eric Schaeffer
Angela Lansbury & Stephen Sondheim
Angela Lansbury & Stephen Sondheim
Angela Lansbury & Stephen Sondheim
Angela Lansbury & Stephen Sondheim
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