Six-Time Tony Winner Audra McDonald & Thomas E. Tuft to be Honored at Roundabout's 50th Anniversary Gala

BroadwayWorld has learned that Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th Anniversary Gala: "Spring Gala 2016: Celebrating 50 Years of Extraordinary Theatre" will recognize the accomplishments of six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald and Roundabout's Chairman of the Board Thomas E. Tuft and present them with The Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre. The gala will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria on Monday, February 29, 2016.

Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th Anniversary Season celebrates the company's numerous accomplishments and vision for the future with bold new productions of classic plays, a revival of the Roundabout's first musical, and new work by some of the country's most exciting young talent. Founded in 1965, Roundabout Theatre Company has grown from a small 150-seat theatre in a converted Chelsea supermarket basement to become one of the nation's most influential not-for-profit theatre companies, as well as one of New York City's leading cultural institutions. Roundabout has been recognized with 29 Tonys, 41 Drama Desks, 50 Outer Critics Circle, 10 Obie and 15 Lucille Lortel Awards for its work on five stages, reaching more than 700,000 theatergoers and employing hundreds of artists each year. Clear Channel Spectacolor is a proud Anniversary Season media sponsor.

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actress. A record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner (Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill) and one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2015, McDonald was also Tony-nominated for her starring turn in Roundabout Theatre Company's production of 110 in the Shade in 2007.

Thomas E. Tuft has served as Chairman of the Board of Roundabout Theatre Company for the past eight seasons. As such, he sits on the Operating Committee, 50thAnniversary Task Force, Education Committee, Investment Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Budget Committee and Development Commitment. Tom has been Chairman of the Global Capital Markets Advisory at Lazard Ltd. since 2009. Previously, he was with Goldman Sachs & Co. from 1976-2009, starting as Vice President in Institutional Sales. He co-founded the Equity Capital Markets business in 1985, served as Head of Equity Capital Markets beginning in 1998 and as Chairman of the Global Capital Markets Group 2004-2009. Tom also serves as a Vice Chairman of the Whitney Museum of American Arts and previously was on the Boards of Boys & Girls Harbour, the Cancer Research Institute and Wesleyan University.

The Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre is named after the late Jason Robards for his longstanding relationship with Roundabout and memorable body of stage work. It is given to those who have made an indelible impact on both Roundabout and the theatre world.

Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th Anniversary Season Gala will begin at 7:00PM with dinner and a live auction, followed by an all-star musical tribute celebrating Roundabout's musicals along with the Robards Award presentations.

Gala Chairs: Stephanie and Ron Kramer, Tom and Kitty Patterson-Kempner and Johannes (Johs) Worsoe, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. Auction Chair: Sylvia Golden. Executive Producer: Sydney Beers.

To purchase tickets or a table to Roundabout's 50th Anniversary Gala contact Lane Hosmer at 212-719-9393 x312. For more information, visit www.roudabouttheatre.org/gala.