Steven Boyer to Host The Play Company's Annual Gala; Sky-Pony to Perform

The Play Company (PlayCo), the NYC-based theater company that produces outstanding contemporary plays from around the world, brings together top chefs and theater artists for this year's Cabaret Gourmet, PlayCo's annual gala. Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur and tastemaker, Questlove will be honored at the unique event, which features savory and sweet tasting dishes prepared by hand selected chefs from some of New York City's most celebrated restaurants, on the occasion of the publication of his forthcoming book somethingtofoodabout set for release the next day, April 12. The evening, which celebrates creativity in all its facets, will be MC'd by Tony nominee (Hand to God) and PlayCo alum (Enjoy, The Ugly One) Steven Boyer, with musical entertainment provided by indie pop band Sky-Pony.

Cabaret Gourmet 2016 offers both theater and food aficionados the opportunity to mingle in an intimate setting and taste dishes by chefs including Mark Ladner of Del Posto, Manish Mehrotra of Indian Accent, Ivan Orkin of Ivan Ramen, Jehangir Mehta of Graffiti Food & Wine/Me & You, Hugue Dufour of M. Well Steakhouse, Mike Price of The Clam, and Eduard Frauneder of Edi & the Wolf/Freud, Chef Georges Mokbel of Omar's La Ranita, and Chef Alberto Tartari of Il Baretto, with sweet bites from Baum's Sho, Red Velvet and Valhrona. The locally sourced beverage selection includes wines provided by Red Tail Ridge Winery in New York's Finger Lakes region; beer provided by Ommegang Brewery of Cooperstown, NY; and other beverages provided by New York Distilling Co., Owney's Rum, and The Brooklyn Seltzer Boys, all based in Brooklyn. Behind the Wood will be creating signature cocktails.

Drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and member of The Roots - Questlove, is the unmistakable heartbeat of Philadelphia's most influential hip-hop group. He is the Musical Director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where his beloved Roots crew serves as house band. Beyond that, this 4-time GRAMMY Award winning musician's indisputable reputation has landed him musical directing positions with everyone from D'Angelo to Eminem to Jay-Z. Questlove has also released two books including the New York Times bestsellerMo' Meta Blues and Soul Train: The Music, Dance and Style of a Generation. One of his latest endeavors includes scoring Chris Rock's film, Top Five, and also working as the music supervisor. He also recently co-produced the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hamilton, alongside Alex Lacamoire, Bill Sherman, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tarik "Black Thought" Trotter. He will also serve as the Executive Music Producer and Composer on the A&E Mini Series "Roots.

Questlove made his way into the culinary world with his signature "Love's Drumstick." Currently, he is hosting a series of Food Salons with world-renowned and innovative chefs at his Financial District apartment in the NY by Gehry building. Questlove has appeared as a Guest Judge on Top Chef Season 11, and his interest in food and his own culinary endeavors have been featured on the cover of New York Magazine, in Food & Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit, and seen on The View, Watch What Happens Live, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He is a Celebrity Ambassador for Food Bank For New York City, on the City Harvest Food Council, a board member of Edible Schoolyard, and the first Artist-in-Residence at the Made in NY Media Center. Questlove is also a Founding Member of the CAPA Foundation in Philadelphia.

Questlove is proud to announce that his new book somethingtofoodabout, is set for release on April 12, 2016 via publisher Clarkson Potter.

Steven Boyer is an actor and a comedy writer. Boyer earned a Tony nomination, a Lucille Lortel Award and an OBIE Award for his lead performance in Hand to God. He made his Broadway debut in I'm Not Rappaport, and starred off-Broadway in Modern Terrorism, The Explorers Cluband King Lear. His production with The Play Company include Enjoy and The Ugly One. His film and TV credits include The Wolf of Wall Streetand Orange Is the New Black.

Sky-Pony serves up lush, lyrical, often cheeky, indie-pop with a healthy dose of theatrics. They incorporate costumes, choreography and projections into their high-energy live shows. Rock concert meets performance art meets burlesque. The Brooklyn-based band is a collaboration between singer/actress Lauren Worsham (Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee) and her musician/writer husband Kyle Jarrow (Obie Award winner). It also features the talents of guitarist Kevin Wunderlich, drummer Perry Silver, bassist Eric Day, cellist David Blasher, and backup singers Jessi Suzuki and Kristin Piacentile. Their debut LP Beautiful Monster dropped December 4, 2015 from Knitting Factory Records. Their stage show The Wildness, produced by Ars Nova in collaboration with The Play Company, just finished an acclaimed extended run.

Photo by Jennifer Broski