William Ivey Long Featured in the Hartford Courant

Goodspeed Musicals will proudly honor five time Tony Award-winner, Broadway legend William Ivey Long at a Gala evening on Saturday, May 2, 2009 when he will receive The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in recognition of his extraordinary career.

The Hartford Courant spoke with the legendary costume designer about his art and inspirations, to read the article click here.

The Co-Chairs for this Gala event are longtime supporters Kiki and Ted Kennedy, Jr. of Branford. Conn. The Honorary Committee includes Stockard Channing, Roger Horchow, Willa Kim, Carol Lawrence, Patti LuPone, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Stroman, Tommy Tune, Heather Watts, and David Zippel.

The evening's festivities, to be held at the elegant Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station in Haddam, Conn., will include a cocktail hour and an exquisite dinner followed by a live auction and entertainment by some of Broadway's finest performers. Mr. Long will be honored by several of his peers including Ms. Redgrave and Ms. Stroman. Guests will delight in this wonderful celebration, highlighted by an eclectic display of Mr. Long's most famous designs.

A revered designer, William Ivey Long has fifty-eight Broadway credits as well as many touring and international productions that have played and are playing in various cities around the world. His designs for theatre, opera, dance, television, movies, concerts, and special events have garnered numerous awards from across the nation.

Previous award recipients include Julie Andrews, Ira Gershwin, Jerry Herman, Stephen Schwartz, Tommy Tune, Susan Stroman, and Gerald Schoenfeld. Proceeds from the Gala will support Goodspeed Musicals' Education Programs.

Individual tickets start at $500, while tables of ten can be purchased for $5,000 and up. For Gala ticket information, please telephone Sue Cipriani at 860.873.8664, extension 365.

Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The only regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of American Airlines, official airline of Goodspeed Musicals.