Photo Flash: CST Celebrates the 'Spirit of Shakespeare' with Stephen Sondheim, Audra McDonald & More!

Last night, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) hosted its Gala 2013 at its home on Navy Pier, presenting the third annual Spirit of Shakespeare Awards to Civic Honoree, former Mayor Richard M. Daley and Artistic Honoree, composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Check out a quick look back at the star-studded event below!

Gala 2013 also featured performances by Broadway stars, husband and wife Jason Danieley, who triumphed in CST's production of Sunday in the Park with George earlier this season, and Marin Mazzie, who was recently seen opposite Danieley in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal. Musical artist Audra McDonald, who earlier today was honored in Chicago with The Sarah Siddons Society Award, joined the festivities. Funds raised will benefit the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's education and civic engagement initiatives, including Team Shakespeare and Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. The Theater raised over one million dollars in support of its continuing work in Chicago's schools and communities.

Photos by Mark Campbell & Michael Litchfield