National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene Celebrates 100th Anniversary Tonight With Itzhak Perlman, Jordan Roth and More

World-renowned maestro and violinist Itzhak Perlman will headline a concert and gala celebrating National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene's 100th anniversary and honoring legendary financier and philanthropist Sanford I. Weill and Broadway impresario Jordan Roth tonight, March 31, 2015, at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. NYTF is the longest consecutively-producing Jewish Arts company in the world.

Sponsored by Capital One Bank, the Centennial Gala will feature Perlman performing from his highly-acclaimed "In the Fiddler's House" album. The gala, held in collaboration with UJA-Federation of NY, will also include internationally-leading klezmer musicians conducted by music director Hankus Metsky. They include vocalist Michael Alpert, accordionist Alan Bern, clarinetist Kurt Bjorling, vocalist Judy Bressler, string bass player and cellist Stu Brotman, trumpeter Frank London, vocalist and accordionist Lorin Sklamberg, clarinetist Andy Statman and the Klezmer Conservatory Band.

Distinguished real estate developer, philanthropist, and Jewish community leader Bruce Ratner, executive vice president and director of Forest City, serves as chair for the evening. Co-chairs are global health care products executives Stanley Bergman and Mark Mlotek, financial analyst Feliks Frenkel, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Pamela Lipkin, investments executive Morris W. Offit and CEO of the Steiner Equities Group and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Commissioner David Steiner.

Golden Land Concerts & Connections President Moishe Rosenfeld and NYTF Executive Producer Christopher Massimine will manage the event under the conceptual oversight of Executive Director Bryna Wasserman and Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek.

"For 100 years, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene has not only produced exceptional entertainment featuring some of the world's most talented stars, but also has had a profound impact on keeping Jewish and Yiddish culture alive," said Ratner. "I'm honored to participate in an event that celebrates this critically important mission, and also kicks off a second century of what I know will be equally noteworthy achievement."

"Capital One is proud to support National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene as it continues to celebrate the Yiddish experience through the performing arts," said Michael Slocum, President, Commercial Banking and Northeast Regional President, Capital One. "We are pleased to recognize the organization's leadership and tireless passion for preserving this rich cultural legacy for future generations."

Weill, Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup and Chairman of Hamilton Insurance Group, currently serves as Chairman of the National Academy Foundation, Carnegie Hall and Weill Hall at the Green Music Center. He is also Chairman of the Executive Council at UCSF; Chairman Emeritus of Weill Cornell Medical College; Chancellor's Advisory Board member at UC-Davis; Director of the Lang International Music Foundation; and American Academy of Arts and Sciences' member.

As President of Jujamcyn Theaters, Roth oversees Broadway productions including the Tony Award-winning musicals "The Book of Mormon," "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder," "Jersey Boys," and "Kinky Boots," and the upcoming "Something Rotten!" He is also Founder and CEO of Culturalist.com, a social network that encourages users to engage with cultural happenings through Top 10 lists. Additionally, Roth founded Givenik.com, a website that donates 5% of theatre ticket prices to select charities.

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene will continue its 100th anniversary celebration with KulturfestNYC, a first-ever International Festival of Jewish Performing Arts in New York City from June 14-22, 2015 that will include hundreds of performances featuring artists all over the world in theatre, music, dance, food, lectures, family programs and cabaret, as well as films, a street and food festival and symposia.

For individual gala tickets call CarnegieCharge (212) 247-7800, visit www.carnegiehall.org or the Box Office at 57th and Seventh. For more information and packages call NYTF at (212) 213-2120 x203.

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