Star-Studded American Songbook Gala, Honoring Lorne Michaels, Draws $2.1 Million in Support for LCPA

At last night's star-studded American Songbook Gala honoring Executive Producer Lorne Michaels, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) raised $2.1 million towards supporting its popular American Songbook series and Lincoln Center's other performance series, as well as its educational and community initiatives.

400 guests attended the Alice Tully Hall event which honored the Emmy Award-winning producer and writer, best known as the creator and executive producer of "Saturday Night Live." The Gala was co-chaired by Lincoln Center board members Adrienne Arsht and Bryan Lourd, and actor Hugh Jackman. For this special tribute, Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond wrote and directed a performance featuring Fred Armisen, Tituss Burgess, Jimmy Fallon and the Ragtime Gals, Cheyenne Jackson, Taran Killam, Jane Krakowski, Steve Martin, Audra McDonald, Kate McKinnon, Tracy Morgan, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Cecily Strong, Kenan Thompson. Music director and orchestrator Charlie Rosen led an eight-piece onstage band with two back-up singers. The 8:00 performance was preceded by a 7:00 champagne reception and followed by a buffet supper.

Since its launch in 1998, American Songbook has been dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of the popular American songwriter from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Spanning all styles and genres from Tin Pan Alley and Broadway to the eclecticism of today's songwriters working in pop, cabaret, rock, folk and country, American Songbook traces the history and charts the course of the American song from its past and current forms to its future direction.Now in its 17th season, the series runs now through early April, with 25 performances in three Lincoln Center venues.